06 (5 Lug) Access Cab, 2.7 little boost options? Need input

Hi all,

I have enjoyed reading and providing input to others on this site.

A few months ago, I picked up an 06 Access Cab (5 lug, 2.7 liter).

I think i got a good deal on it ($7500, 68,000 miles). And just finished a total audio teardown/update (see other posts).

When I look at the truck, it just looks a little sad. The stance is depressed and unbecoming of a Toyota.

I am a 50 year old that doesn't need to prove anything, so I don't want a massive lift, just a little different stance that brings up the rear end but doesn't impact MPGs (too much) or mess with any other geometry. Ride quality is also important.

The truck is used only every couple weeks to run to Home Depot or take a ride to get everything rolling.

I would like to increase the payload, but not critical.

I am pretty handy, but don't mind paying to have something done either.

Can anyone give me their input for a $1,000 budget, $2,000 budget and what I could expect as an outcome (how much lift, quality, payload, ride, etc).

If $3,000 did something amazing, I am interested as well.

I have attached a few pics:
Picture from pass side, pic under pass rear, pic under pass front suspension.

I'd appreciate any and all input to make this more worthy of wearing the Toyota badge!

 

Nice to see a fellow 5 lug ... I suggest checking out this thread (A lot of common build since theres limited options)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-5-lug-suspension-setup-thread.138807/

The rear is easy to lift and add shocks (No lift blocks) an aal and any 6 lug shock ment for 0-1" lift should do the trick.

The front is the most difficult part. Its either a spacer lift or mid travel...nothing in between.

Like I said check out that thread along with the link in my sig...It should give you a head start.

 

Thanks for the links. I was looking for "what would you do" to give this truck a little lift input/improved stance (tires/wheels?).

However, since there's not a lot of options for this truck, I am limited.

 

You can run 235 75 15 tires on OE wheels. Doesn't sound like much, but it will create 1" of lift as the tires are 2" larger in diameter than stock. No rubbing, no lift required. Partially because of the wheel specs. Many aftermarket wheels create issues.

I chose to run a 'set' of spare wheels, as they look a little different.(and added SS trim rings, 60s style)

The 16" wheels from an early Highlander are bolt ons as well, and 1/2" wider. If you use tire calculator I think you'll find that a 225 70 16 is about the same dia as the 235 above. Will create a bit different look. And if you were interested in tying the chrome look all together, you could add a set of Wheel Skinz to the Highlander wheels.

Since your truck is more of a street style with the painted front/chrome rear, you might consider playing off that X runner style, and use their 18" wheels, since X runners are built on the same 5 lug platform.

Also, if you will paint the pinch weld below the body black (I have not, as you can see below) it will give a visual effect of the truck being higher.

 

The options that you do have, will pretty much at maximum get you to about the stock height of a 4x4, with 33"s and a whole lot of money thrown at it. The better option, is to sell what you have, and get what you want. I'm big on modding out my 5-lug to my own needs and desires - but i am also keeping the truck for the long term duration. It wouldn't be worthwhile, otherwise.

Eyeball the 5-lug section as 5 Lug Fury has suggested .. do your research.

 

Great input all. As I said in original post, it's not about going sky high, just giving it a little lift.

Right when I bought it, i put on Michelin defenders at Costco, knowing that now, i would've gone with the bigger ones to give it a little lift.

It sounds like:

AAL on rear will give me about 1-1.5"
Bigger tires on existing wheels will give me about an inch.
Getting the Bilsteins on F&R is probably worthwhile, as I am guessing it's never had shocks replaced.

Other than the tires, what do you guys estimate cost would be (at a shop) for AALs/Bilsteins?

 

Fatbobs spacer lift with the Long add a leaf kit....$300
New 31's......$600-700
DIY price total...$1000
Will give you the extra payload capacity and bring the stance up just enough. It will ride stiffer until broken in. Mpg penalty will depend on tire choice. Expect 18-20 mpg after calculating for larger diameter tire.

 

CDN shop rate for installation of my Readylift SST kit and Bilsteins was $110.00 an hour, 4 hours billed at 4wheelparts. There was a complicating factor in the LCA's being seized at the pivot bolts, which made the whole thing one helluva lot more expensive - to the tune of $1000 CDN for parts, and more labor/additional day of car rental, etc.

Never under-estimate the potential additional cost of 'shit happens' in upgrades.

 

In the next two weeks or so Ill have a ready lift front spacer for sale.

 

Man, what a nightmare. Sorry for your loss.

 

@sogafarm ; I looked at your build and like it a lot. Don't want any rubbing when turning, but think if I go down a tire size i'll be okay.

I am looking at fatbob's now. I see they have a short and long AAL, I am guessing the long is the way to go for smooth travel? Also, it seems pretty easy to install. They also sell shocks, have any input on them, or are Bilsteins the way to go? It seems that if I do the AAL, i'd be foolish to not do shocks at same time, right?

Sorry, I have changed timing belts, entire engines, brakes, etc., but never touched suspension.

THanks again!

 

IIRC, the supplied rear shocks with the Fatbob's kit are budget Pro-Comp replacement shocks .. looking at this kit - http://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/toyota-tacoma-2wd-5-lug-suspension-275-lift-kit--2005-2017-p7611.aspx

In my case, the front and rear shocks/struts had to be cut off at the mount bolts - 4 years of Canadian road-corrosion had done it's magic. While the truck is apart - and being at the mileage that your's is at .. if they've not been replaced already, your OEM struts will be due up soon anyway.

 

The tire rubbing is only at absolute full turn, I have wrangler authorities 31/10.5s on stock rims. They have a taller tread than most tires. Should be correctable with a diff tread pattern. I really like these tires for where I live as the nearest pave road is 2 miles for me. Takes the place of not having 4wd in most situations.
The fatbobs kit comes with new rear shocks. They are pretty good for loads and pulling a trailer. I'm sure the ready lift kit is just as good, but I wanted the longer aad because it distributes the load more evenly on the upper spring.

 

For comparison my five lug next to my new 3rd gen.

 

I have a new readylift front spacer and a AAL if you want them. $60 and I will ship them out. P.M. me if you want them. Also have some 235s but I would imagine it expensive to ship. first pic of truck is with 235s, second is the 31s.





31s did not rub at all with black box mod.

 

@Gcsteve

What brand/size wheels are on your truck? I'm looking for 15x7 or 16x7 to go with upsized tires (thinking 235/75R15 or similar on 16"...30 at the largest...trying to stay away from black box removal/lifts).

Do you still have your 235s? I'm in the market for ATs. What kind do you have? TIA