Lift Help

I have a 21 tacoma XP, looking for a simple level/lift 2” front 1” rear. Not huge into extreme terrain just want some height. do a little beach buggin. Any insight on this kit https://torchoffroad.com/products/2...-front-2-rear-lift-kit?variant=37526559064236.

 

It's just one of a thousand cheap spacer lifts. Prolly no real difference between them. Won't increase clearance unless you upsize your tires. And assuming you're on stock tires, you could just up the size 1 inch without suspension modification.

 

Yeah stock tires, I wanna run 33’s, can you do it on stock height?

 

you can with a good alignment and 255/80/16s or 255/80/17s. (skinny 33s)

 

Honestly if you are planning on keeping the truck for an extended period of time I would save and put Bilstein 5100’s all around. AAL or a small block in the rear.

 

Bilstein 5100's up front, and don't waste your money of a spacer lift.

 

Will the Bilstein 5100’s up front get me level with the rear?

 

Not quite right. 255/80r17 33's 255/85r17 34's


33's is a question of wheel offset and how much you want to cut. 285's can be done on minimal lift with a wheel offset +10 to 0 and a good alignment maybe an adjustable uca typically. But a cmc/pinchweld fold is the only way to gaurentee it won't rub.
The 255/80r17 will fit with minimal to no trimming on stock again with a offset at 0 or less.
As for the lift skip the blocks all around if you really want to lift it. 5100's and a leaf pack or add a leaf is best. I'm a firm believer in not leveling a truck if you ever intend on using it for truck stuff. Keep in mind the other aspects that should be addressed or atleast considered with it. Drive shaft carrier bearing spacers, angled leaf shims, diff drop (i don't like them but many do) front diff clamshell bushing. Lifts can result in odd driveline vibrations, not always and typically more common when it exceeds 2".

 

Unweighted down by skids, bumpers, 5100s modeled for 3rd Gens lift 2" with the stock coil springs.
3rd Gens only have a 1" or so rake,.and rear stock leaf springs sag with age/haul weight. Measure center of hub up to fender edge both front and rear, and both sides, to confirm.

 

excuse me, skinny 33s. 255/80r17 or 255/80-85r16

 

255/85/16 do just fine as ~33" tire without much modification - just an alignment. There are several Mega 255/85/16 threads on here somewhere.

It is my understanding to go larger than that will require a 17" rim... and some cutting.

 

So you never haul or tow?

Because the rake is there to compensate for that.

Level is for looks, which is fine, but at the cost of some functíon.

 

If you set them @ 1", then yes.

 

A lot of folks claim they can just stick 33" pizza cutters on stock suspension and wheels . . . . OK. I would be hesitant to go that route but that is just me.
If I were him the easy way would be 32s 265/75R16 - tacomas are engineered to accommodate that size tire. Not quite the total lift he wants but a good compromise (about a .5" lift) and I think he would like the look (the taller, fatter tire is 1" bigger even though only .5" lift looks bigger than that) and the width is good for the beach (I don't want to go down that rabbit hole) Let's just say I have done a tone of beach driving here in NC on that size tire with good results. The 5100 and AAL that would open up lots of possibilities but now you are getting into $$$$.

 

You can watch skinny 33"D tires be fitted, no rub, no lift, on stock 7" wide wheels, on youtube. Or just get 32"D tires.

Tire manufacturers will rec 8" wide wheels for 285 width 33s. Also, suspension lift won't help you avoid getting a body mount chop for offroad articulation with 285s and wider, on a 3rd gen, so there are more steps and work or $.

 

Yup, everything we do is a compromise. One thing you picked up on is the OP wants to travel on Beach sand. I have no experience with beach sand, I don't believe I ever will, desert sand and sharp rocks yes.

What I liked about the 255/85/16 is there was no compromise; I got my increase in wheel size, no cutting necessary and only the alignment to move the tire forward with the caster adjustment.

 

Alright … Bilstein 5100’s all around, adjust the height as needed, but right now i’m running 265/70/16, 30” i believe? I don’t want skinny tires, i like wide with a small offset sticking the tires past the fender by an inch or so… recommendations? with no rub no cutting, after the 5100’s?

 

0 offset with a 265/75r16 or 265/70r17. Only way to have virtually no rubbing issues. 275 or 285 you will hit the cab mount without removing mud flaps and getting a high positive caster alignment. Even then you may require a uca to help with that alignment. Any more offset just increases the odds of rubbing.

17x9 +1 265/70r17 duratrac

Same set up with 2" lift front and rear

Same wheel 285/70r17 duratrac 3" front 2" rear spc uca's and rokblox xl flaps with the correct alignment 0 rubbing.
I do not recommend this level of lift I did it with the goal of achieving 2" after the bumper/winch install aawell as account for some spring settle

17x9 -25 285/70r17 Same lift but this requires a cab mount chop to clear the higher offset wheel.

17x9 -38 295/70r17 this is well outside the realm of fitting without a bunch of cutting but figured I'd include it anyways.

 

Watch this youtube video if you really want 33s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27BNd7pkoKA (he refers to 285/70R17 tires which is equal to 285/75R16 if you have 16" rims - which you do)
Again - start with just putting on 265/75R16 (32s) - you will get a little lift and keep the wide tires for the beach (they worked great on the NC beaches for me).

 

^^This^^