10 questions about 3" lift on '99 Taco.

I've been searching through the forums for the answers, but am still not clear on some things.

I have a '99 Tacoma V6 4x4. It's a standard 4x4, NOT a TRD.

I bought my truck used, with in-coil spacers in the front, on stock springs and shocks. It has around 2" of lift now..

In the back, it has a really thick AAL in the OE leaf pack and some Rancho shocks. The leaf springs are shot. Who knows about the Ranchos.

I want to run 285's. I have 265's on now with no problems.

I want to upgrade my suspension and get close to 2.5 - 3" of lift. I'd like to have a little rake in the stance. I have a camper shell on my truck most of the year. It see's highway, city, and off-roading. My off-loading isn't extreme. Fire-roads, back-country roads, etc. For offloading trips it is loaded with gear.

I was set to go on Bilstein 5100's in the front, but have read a lot of conflicting things about how they combine with different coil

1. Can I use them with my OE coils? I don't have a bumper or winch. I think the OE 4x4 springs are rated at around 445#? My coils have had the in-coil spacers in them for at least 20k, but probably more like the life of the truck (110k). Hard to know if they're shot. I know I don't like my front suspension.

2. Can I use them with the in-coil spacer, and shocks in the middle setting, or will that be too much pre-load?

3. Would 600 # Eibach coils be over-kill if I don't have a bumper or winch? (that's what toytec offers)

4. Is it not better to get the lift from the coils themselves with shocks at stock, as opposed to pre-loading the springs? If so, what's an appropriate 3" spring to pair with the Billys?

5. If 4 is true, what is the right OME coil for my ambitions? 882? I may get a bumper and winch in the future, but it's a ways off from now.

6. If I know I want 3" of lift, is there any advantage to getting coil overs as opposed to just 3" lift springs and the Billys?

7. If I have 3" of lift in the front and a camper shell on, but I want to maintain a little rake, which would be better suited: All-pro Expositions or Dakars with an AAL? I've read that Dakars handle a load better, but Allpros give a higher lift. I imagine they both would settle to the same height. I DON'T want the axle wrap I currently have with my stock leaves.

8. Based on the answer to 7, what's a good match in rear shocks? Bilstein 5100's? 5125's?

9. Is it imperative to get aftermarket UCA's? I have a first gen. I've read that it's okay to run stock on first gens.

10. LR UCA's are the cheapest out there. But I also read they are made in China. Is that true?

Final Consideration: Price is important. I just ordered wheels and tires. Someone told me all I need is the 5100's in the front, and that coils would be a wast of money. This shit does start to add up fast.

 

No one has got an idea about any of it?

I thought these were pretty popular options. Performance issues aside, here are some of the front end numbers:

Just Billys and stock coils: $170
Billy's and OME coils: 170 + 160 = $330
Toytec coilovers: $749

stock UCA's: $0
LR UCA's: $349
TC UCA's: $650 - $700

Those are pretty significant leaps. I don't want to waste money on shit I really don't need. On top of that, I'm doing the rear, tires, wheels, and a few other things. I'd like to have some money left to take a few days off and go wheels this thing, instead of stare at it in my driveway with all its new shit.