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Lift Suggestions for a Specific Build == Flatbed, 33" Tire, OFFROAD Use

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by jtice, Mar 5, 2014.

  1. Mar 5, 2014 at 1:25 PM
    #1
    jtice

    jtice [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2011
    Member:
    #49185
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    90
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    Male
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2011 TRD Off-Road
    Pioneer P4100DVD, 10" Pioneer Shallow Mount Sub
    I know there are a billion threads on lifts on here and other forums, which I have been reading through like crazy, but many are for a wide varity of applications, or needs, and alot are just waning to fit a tire, and not rub while driving on the street.

    I have a specific build in mind and wanted to see if anyone had a similar build, and what lift they are using.
    So I will tell you a bit about my plans, and my specific questions.

    2001 to 2004 Tacoma
    Reg. Cab
    4 cyl. Manual 5 Speed
    Custom Flat Bed
    Custom Front Bumper and Winch
    33" Tires (hopfully 10.5" wide, but maybe closer to 12")
    Truck will driven on the street alot, but will be taken OFFROAD on a regular basis.
    I plan to wheel it at some fairly difficult trails, in a few years I will SAS it, but for now my budget means sticking with IFS.

    I am looking for a lift that will not only lift the truck enough to fit 33" tires (completely flexed, full lock, offroad) (I am willing to do some trimming)
    but a lift that will also provide better performance and flex.

    I understand that you can only have so much travel with IFS, but alot of the popular lifts like the 5100s sound like you end up with very little down travel?
    I would like something with good travel, I am willing to get new upper arms if it doesnt break the bank.

    For the rear, I am open to more options, since I will be making the flatbed, I am fine with welding on new shackle mounts and shock mount locations.
    I would like to know how to get the back to flex really well. I have heard of larger springs, 63" ??
    Any recommendations on special shackles is also welcome, such as ones using more flexible heim joints, fancy double or rotating shackles, etc.

    Here are a few pics to give you an idea of what I am wanting to build.
    Pic 1
    Pic 2
    Pic 3
    Pic 4
    Pic 5
     
  2. Mar 5, 2014 at 1:38 PM
    #2
    chadderkdawg

    chadderkdawg Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to..

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    09 FX4 F150
  3. Mar 5, 2014 at 1:50 PM
    #3
    jtice

    jtice [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2011
    Member:
    #49185
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2011 TRD Off-Road
    Pioneer P4100DVD, 10" Pioneer Shallow Mount Sub
    Good question, I guess I am still feeling that out.
    I would like to be around $1500 range, hoping thats doable if I somehow do the rear pretty cheap.
    I know there are alot of creative things for the rear, like somethnig about old 63" leafs from a junkyard?
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2014
  4. Mar 5, 2014 at 1:59 PM
    #4
    chadderkdawg

    chadderkdawg Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to..

    Joined:
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    8,148
    Gender:
    Male
    Des Moines, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    09 FX4 F150
    You can expect to spend 500 to 700 on a chevy spring swap if you pay someone to do it for you. With the remaining 800 bucks you could do ome springs and shocks with some light racing upper control arms.
     
  5. Mar 5, 2014 at 2:45 PM
    #5
    jtice

    jtice [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2011
    Member:
    #49185
    Messages:
    90
    Gender:
    Male
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2011 TRD Off-Road
    Pioneer P4100DVD, 10" Pioneer Shallow Mount Sub
    I will be doing all the fab work myself.
    LR arms, those are the other ones I need to look into. Not sure what all arm options are yet.
     
  6. Mar 6, 2014 at 6:57 AM
    #6
    mustangstephen

    mustangstephen raise hell, drink beer

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
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    763
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    First Name:
    Stephen
    by da creek
    Vehicle:
    02 Tacoma TRD
    Homebrew bumpers and sliders, 5100s & Eibachs up front and mutt leaf pack out back, 285s & Wheelers type B, sway bar deleted. Wife's ride: 01 4Runner 4wd sport. Stock with exception of TRD taco coils, and shift kit.
    In the front 5100s have the same overall travel as stock. Only thing that changes is ride height. In other words a 3" lift has 3" less down travel than stock but has 3" more up travel than stock. Make sense?

    Top plate spacers will allow more drop but the length of the shock extended is still the same and it drops the suspension more than it was ever designed for. Best thing I ever took off my truck.

    Fitting 33s is easy. Clearance the pinch weld and go. I've seen 285/75r16s on stock trucks. Look different but it does fit.

    IMO the best thing lifting does if give you the ability to have more drop in the rear. You again may sacrifice a little up travel depending on shock location but it's not hard to run 10" travel shocks in the rear with a 26" extended length in stock location even with factory length springs (factory length shocks are ~19.5" extended and 7 1/8" travel). You've already mentioned 63" chevy springs. I don't run them but have considered it. I'm haven't got to the point that the factory length spring is limiting me but if I do I'll be seriously considering them.
     

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