1-3"lift? will there be a big difference than stock TRD OR?

I live in CO. 2015 Tacoma TRD OR

Thinking about adding 17" TRD wheels and BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO. Want to lift it between 1-3". Whats the best way? and will the ride be any different than the current one. I don't want to change any of the OEM suspension parts. Looking at a leveling kit for 2-3" lift. If I do 1" (265/75 R17, will this need add'l space in the wheel wells?)...

Whats the most economical way to do this? will the ride feel different? how much will it effect mpg?

 

I suspect it will add about 1" to 3"

 

To support my "Tacoma habit", I install lift kits and aftermarket parts on other people's trucks for a few extra peso's. I've put on everything from high end big buck lift kits to simple top plate spacers on trucks. I've yet to see a lift kit alone change the fuel economy in a measurable way. I've heard folks comment on how a lift did cut mileage on their trucks. I'm thinking that was a lift kit AND BIGGER, HEAVIER TIRES, but I could be wrong. Those changes in tires WILL effect fuel mileage.

Some suspension lifts can make a truck ride stiffer, and arguably "worse" at lower speeds. Generally more aggressive suspensions will make a truck ride BETTER at highway speeds. I've installed quite a few top plate spacers to get a 2" to 2-1/2" lift while still retaining stock shocks and springs. In every case so far (that I've been involved in) the ride is essentially the EXACT SAME as it was before lifting with a moderate lift from a top plate spacer. Spring spacers on the other hand, will preload the stock springs, and in general, HURT the ride quality. Top plate spacers are probably the least expensive way to raise a truck. They aren't the "best way" to lift one, but not nearly as evil as some would indicate. Personally, I have no real issues with them. I've installed them on several trucks where the owners hammer their rides and have had no issues with their spacer lifts. Also, the total dollar amount spent is NOT an indication of quality OR performance as some seem to believe. Just because a lift kit is $2000 more than the next guy's, it is not always BETTER.

A major consideration is, what will you be doing with your truck? Hard core off roading? Crawling the area mall parking lot? Something in between? Those things should be taken under advisement before making a call as to what is "best"..... IMHO, the #1 factor in what is "best" is what can you afford? Not everyone has a pocket stuffed with expendable cash. Not everyone is lifting a brand new $35,000 truck.....

The tire size you mention is a stock size.....You shouldn't need a lift to clear those. However, a lift would make it LOOK better and provide some additional ground clearance.

 

It's going to be pretty hard to lift without changing any of the OEM suspension parts.

1- If you want to run 265/70*r17 tires, you don't need a lift or wheel spacers. Depending on which tire you choose (the more aggressive, the more probable), they might rub the LCA on full lock, but not enough to worry about. MPG will suffer minimally due to the increased tire size.
2- The most cost effective way to level the front 1"-2" would be spacers or Bilstein 5100 struts (I recommend the 5100s).
3- Any change you make to increase the height of your truck is going to stiffen the ride when compared to the factory suspension.

 

With a top plate spacer, you don't change spring rates, or shock dampening. You just move the stock strut down a slight bit. With that, you don't make any change to stiffness of the suspension. All you do is move what is already there. I'm up to 7 trucks that I've installed spacers for other folks. Neither myself, nor the owners could tell any difference is ride from stock. You do lose a bit of compressed travel. The shock will bottom before the suspension makes contact with the bump stop. To deal with that, I install a poly spacer under the stock bump stop that is an equal thickness as the spacer itself.

I used a Toytech "boss" kit on my truck. To get the desired lift, I had to preload the springs much more than I like. I'm NOT thrilled with the ride. Right now it tends to ricochet off bumps. To be honest about it, I'd rather have used a top plate spacer. In the coming days, I'm either going to change to a different front strut assembly, OR, re-install the stock spring/shock with a spacer.

 

I've hot a 2003 tacoma trd . I installed a 1.5 inch daystar lift leveling kit that also came with new shackles for the rear springs. I then added 285 70 18 bfg ko2s with 18x9 monster wheels. I had to smooth out the pinch weld under the front fender . It only scrubs when I turn sharp going down hill. Daystar makes a 1 in. Body lift also. I am gonna add a 3 in. Body just to have additional clearance. No issues with the uca.