New member, looking at ToyTec lifts.

Hey, everyone. New member and new Tacoma owner here in Beaumont, TX. 2014 DCSB, TRD Off-Road.

I'm looking at one of two 3" lifts from ToyTec. They have this one for $919:

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/3-lift-kit-with-Bilstein-5100-Height-Adj-Coilovers_p_364.html

And this one for $1179:

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Toytec-Ultimate-Lift-Kit-05-Tacoma_p_1062.html

Money really isn't a factor. I'm leaning towards the Ultimate kit (the second link) but I don't really see much of a difference between the two kits, other than the Ultimate kit comes with a swaybar relocate. Of these two kits, which would you guys choose and why?

Also, in the same price range (under $1500 or so) are there other kits I should be looking at? I'm looking for 3" in the front and 2" in the rear, and these ToyTec kits look like they're just what I need. I will upgrade the tires and possibly the rims. I'd like to swing a 32" tire but I haven't narrowed down actual tire sizes and widths yet. I'm thinking BFG T/A KO's, but may go with something else as I do more research.

This is my first truck and my first foray into lifts and off-roading. This truck is my new toy, not my daily driver. It won't see many miles and I'd love to do some trail riding in it. All those videos on YouTube of Tacomas in Moab are fun to watch. Can't wait to join in the fun with you all!

Plans for the front include the lift, wheels and tires, tinting, removal of the dealer-installed step rails, removal of the mud flaps, and an audio setup with Hertz HSK 165 components (EXCELLENT components, I have them in my '09 Fit Sport) and JL Audio's 10" stealthbox sub. I haven't decided yet, but I MAY install the TRD supercharger and replace the exhaust. If I don't go for the supercharger, I'll still do intake and exhaust. I love the induction growl under the hood of a good intake.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing your ideas and opinions. Glad to join the community! Happy trails.

 

The difference is the ULK is adjustable on the truck, and the other one is not.

At your price range look into Icon stage 1, King and Fox.

I was in the same boat as you and almost got the ULK then decided to pay little more and get a higher quality lift.

As for tires, if its not a DD dont get KOs, look into the KM2 or Cooper ST Maxx.

Also for your rear lift think about a 3 leaf AAL instead of a single leaf.

 

Interesting. I have not looked at King or Fox yet, but I did visit Icon's website. They offer no information on their Stage 1 kit. They don't tell you about how much height the Stage 1 offers. The picture of the Stage 1 doesn't show any included hardware like u-bolts, nuts, etc. As far as I can tell from their website, I can only fathom that their Stage 1 kit offers front coils, rear shocks and leafs, and that's it. They don't include a list of included hardware. The only piece of information they add is recommended tire size. I have a problem with this. When I go looking to spend decent/large quantities of money on things, I want information. Toytec offers it, Icon doesn't. That alone steers me back to Toytec, not to mention that a Stage 1 from Icon is another three-hundred dollars above the 3" Ultimate Lift from Tacoma. Toytec tells me what the kit includes and requires. The Icon is another ~25% more expensive and doesn't tell me shit about the technical details of the kit.

Please tell me in much greater detail why I should purchase the Icon Stage 1 over either of the Toytec kits I listed.

Also: I am sure there are "better" tires than the BFG T/A KO's. WHY should I look at the KM2 or the Cooper ST Maxx?

I'm not trying to be confrontational. I don't buy bullshit, and I certainly don't buy bullshit based on hearsay. What is it about the equipment you recommend? WHY do you recommend it, and what makes it better than the equipment I 'm looking at?

 

Personal preference mostly, but if you aren't puting a lot of miles on the tires, and doing a lot of offroad, many people like a mud terrain or very aggressive tire. I Prefer the BFG AT, I have had great results with this tire, even down to the last 1/16th "...

You need to do a little more research via the 'search' button, and also google. If money is not an option, I would personally go with Icon, but since I am poor/ 80 percent of my driving is on pavement, I went the cheaper option.

GL with choosing a lift.


Welcome to TW

 

Damn buddy, you are expecting a lot from me. I gave you my opinions, this isnt AskJeeves.com.

Before you buy anything you should be doing research, I am just one opinion among many on this forum. I am not going to go into a ton of detail.

BFG KOs suck in any type of mud, I wont buy them again.

Icon is a larger diameter shock, and is extended travel. Theres two reasons right there that Icon is better than Toytec ULK.

FYI toytec sells Icon, you can go on their site and see what the kit comes with, or call them, or call wheelers, or do a search through this forum.

 

Cool, that's good information. I changed my mind on the kits I was looking at. The one I think I'll go with is the Toytec Boss setup.

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Boss-Suspension-System-for-05-Tacoma_p_15.html

The coilovers in the Boss kit are a larger diameter shaft, and the kit gives me the option of changing the upper control arms, which I think I'll do.

I finally found a set of rims I'd like and I think I'll take the above advice and go with the BFG KM2, size P265/70R17.

Thanks, guys.

 

Boss kit here as well. Great setup for me. I installed camburg UCA's last night and lbjs were replaced too. Aligned this morning and all is awesome here!

 

If money isn't a problem you definitely want Icon or King there is no comparison.Do some research it's all at your finger tips!!I run Icon stage 1 and it is night and day difference.Everything you need is shipped to your door!My truck had toytec on it and it was crap compared to what I have now!!

 

I will look into Icon and King. Icon's website pisses me off. There is a distinct lack of information provided there that steers me away from them. The descriptions of the products offers little information. Not a single one of their lift kit explanations tell you, for instance, how much lift that particular kit provides. That's kind of what I'm looking for, you know? An Icon Stage 1 could be 1" or 6" of left as far as their website is concerned. And the pictures of what the different kits include don't seem to show everything that comes in the box. Why not? That shit aggravates me. It's like their intentionally leaving out information to persuade you to buy a more expensive kit than you really need. Tell me WHAT comes in the kit, show me a picture of it, and tell me all the details and options. Toytec does. Icon does not. Somebody will have to seriously convince me to overlook that and pay more money for Icon instead of another quality competitor. I should not have to research forums to find information on a product because that information isn't readily available on the product manufacturer's website. This is friggin' 2014. We've had 20 years of massively-available internet. If a company that sells online can't or won't provide product details then I will instead purchase from their competitors that can and will.

JJ04: What year is your Tacoma? Over at Toytec's website, they note that depending on the number of leaves in your rear leaf spring you may have to choose a certain option for your rear lift. On my 2014 DCOR, I have three leaves plus a fourth "overtravel" leaf (I know that's the wrong terminology, I just can't think of it at the moment) leaf. Because of that, Toytec's website is steering me to the 1.5" AAL for "TSB four-leaf" Tacoma springs. I would really rather do 2" in the rear, but that option appears only for three-leaf Tacos, and the OME leaf kit gives 2.5" rear lift which is more than I want. If your Tacoma had the same four-leaf pack that mine does, which rear spring option did you choose and why?

 

Mine is an 04. I had 120k mi on my original leafs and opted for the OME Leafs to replace them. I'm not too familiar with the 2nd gen trucks but I would imagine it has to do with suspension differences with some trucks. If I had a newer truck I'd still replace the pack and avoid An an AAL. That's just me though, lots of guys do AAL and are very happy.

Don't see why toytech has to be labeled crap. I personally like it. It seems icon makes great stuff too. Get what you like.

 

Posts like these are why I went with icon. I came across a lot of them in my research.

 

I just had the Toytec BOSS installed and love it... of course I have nothing to compare it to so my evidence is anecdotal at best.