2" Lift w/no ride penalty

This has been asked a thousand times, but my present truck has a spacer/block lift (I know, I know). In the Spring, I will be buying a new truck, and would still like to run a 2" Lift, but don't care for the rough ride a spacer gives me.

I don't know exactly what you guys call "wheeling", but I drive my truck for work 3-400 miles a week on sometimes graded, sometimes not logging roads. Some of the sections are 70mph smooth, but quickly deteriorate to pothole ridden "oh that was a horrendous crash" areas. I don't seek out mud holes, but get stuck from time to time, and my skid plate is gouged pretty bad. I very rarely get air, and never on purpose. I run on 32" skinny load range E tires (235/85-16). I see the standard recommendation is 5100/longer spring and rear AAL. How much smoother than a spacer lift will this be? How much smoother than stock?

Then a wildcard, would Icons be a good idea for my intended use? I know they're quite a bit more expensive, but I drive my truck a lot, and the extra expense might be worth it.

BTW, I have replaced the back shocks twice in 80k miles, both times busted on sharp edged, albeit shallow, washouts.

 

I see they're from Australia. Does anyone sell them in North America?

 

If you want better ride quality, look into front coilovers and rear leaf pack, not a single rear AAL. You should look into an OME lift.
http://www.rocky-road.com/old-man-emu-tacoma.html

 

^ Good option, but I've run 3 different OME setups and they are marginally better than blocks in the front, which I've also run I'd go with some 2.0 icons on the front and their 3 leaf AAL, it would ride like butter and not break the bank.

 

Icon coilovers and shocks would ride well on those roads.

 

This. I love mine

 

I no this doesn't help u but do u mind posting some pics of ur truck not lifted with 235/85. I've been thinkin about goin that direction with my next tires. and did u notice any mpg difference up or down? And do they rub anywhere?

 

I had it lifted when it was brand new, so it never wore the 235s at stock height. They're narrow, so I don't imagine you'd have rubbing issues. I think there are a few pics of the narrow tires in my gallery.

When you take the fact that you can resell used Icons at a pretty good rate, they seem like they might be the best deal. From what I've read, they seem to hold up to abuse quite well. The smoother ride can't help but be good for the rest of the truck either...

 

No rubbbing at all with my 235/85 duratracs. No noticable difference in milage from "C" 265/75s



Deep snow performance is pretty awesome, though I am chained up in the rear here.

Sorry for the hijack.

 

Subbed. Looking to do the same thing.

 

I notice you asked about MPG, and I didn't answer you. I figure I lose a little over 1mpg, over 245/75 load range E's. The tall tires (about 4% taller on gearing) makes a noticeable difference in power, and I figure the little 2.7l just works a little harder to spin them. Not as big a difference as with the stock Dunlops (about 3mpg), but noticeable still...

 

I didn't realize u came for e rated and went to e. I figured me at 265/75 might get a little better possibly ~1.5" narrower and only ~.4" taller. but they would be about 11 lbs heavier per wheel.

 

If I was able to get a cut resistant P tire, I'd be all over it. I hate flats, thus the E rated, rough riding tires. :-(