'14 Tacoma Suspension Upgrade - advice for beginner

Greetings Tacoma people,

I'm mapping out some modifications for my bone stock '14 Tacoma QuadCab Off-Road, and I'm asking your wisdom and experience. The first thing I want to tackle is the suspension.

My ultimate goal is to gain approximately 3 inches of lift, minimal sagging under moderate to heavy loads, and a decent ride when empty. Eventually I plan to install a front bumper and winch on the front of the vehicle, and a topper and rack to the back. Other than that, I don't see much more in the way of heavy accessories until I get more experience. Overall, the end result will be a suspension upgrade capable of handling a good range of trails for camping trips ranging from 3 - 10 days.

Another consideration is price - I'd like to get the most bang for a little buck as possible.

My brief research has me thinking OME with Dakar springs... but I have also heard a Toytec Boss kit is a solid option, especially considering the added weight to come. As much as I'd love to go ICON, I think it's more than I need (for now) and can move up to that in time.

What do you think? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Best - David

 

Just go with an OME kit all around. You'll regret doing other things and upgrading later. I have Bilstein 5100s up front at .85 with Toytec 1.6" springs, Light Racing upper control arms up front, and Dakar leafs with OME Nitro Supercharger Sport shocks in the rear. I used to have the same front suspension with a Toytec AAL and broke it on a 9700 mile trek around the USA with hundreds of miles off road.

Up front I have added a Warn M8000 with steel cable on a Pelfreybilt hidden winch mount with a Pelfreybilt IFS aluminium front skid. I am also running Cooper Discoverer A/T3 285/75r16. Out back I have a Softopper with a 3/4" birch ply platform in the rear and I often carry fishing and recovery equipment along with water and extra fuel. I will most likely replace my front suspension to reduce the rake (not level as I need that remaining flex for long haul loads) and increase the front bumper clearance.