2006 Tacoma 4WD - What to look for before suspension upgrades?

Hello all, first post on TW!
I'm considering a small lift and suspension upgrade to my 2006 Tacoma TRD 4WD dual cab now that it passed 102k miles. Everything is original. I'm taking it to a 4WD shop that specializes in off-road upgrades and they want to lift / inspect it before they even recommend upgrades which I very much appreciate. My question is: what are some key things I can look for myself before considering upgrades — things that should be replaced first on a ~20yr old toy before spending money on niceties? Full disclosure — I'm not very off-road familiar — I moved a few years ago and am growing an itch to explore off-road here.

Some truck background: I recently had a leaky front main seal replaced and also realized 4WD wouldn't engage so I had the actuator replaced. 4H and 4L work again after years of focusing on a career versus running it through sand like when I got it. The other kicker: the truck was plowed over in 2007 while paralleled parked when it only had 5k miles on it. It has a clean title, but the repairs did involve frame realignment. About 1-2 years after the repairs, the rear (original) differential, somehow, shredded its gears and I had that replaced. They couldn't say if it was due to the wreck or a defect.

I just replaced the headlight units, fixed the interior compass/temp gauge, replaced one broken switch bezel — the leaky main seal and actuator are the only higher-dollar repairs I've made to it since the free dif replacement. 90% road miles with most all of the 4-wheeling done within the first 3 years of owning it.

 

20 YO truck? Have all the rubber/synthetic bushings and boots inspected. If this was DIY I'd recommend full bushing replacement. Also don't be surprised if the front end alignment adjusters are frozen and need to be cutout and replaced. How are the ball joints? Sway bar end links?

 

I'll locate and inspect all those items, thanks!

 

I did inspect things on my truck and didn't see anything that looked too rusted or corroded and I did more reading on the alignment adjusters. I did take it in to the 4WD shop — they said it's surprisingly clean for the age and 102k miles. Alignment adjusters are frozen and the LCAs are in rough shape. After a lot of back and forth and wanting to do things as 'correctly' as can be done within my budget, I think I'm going to have them: add 2.5" lift via Bilstein 5100s, 1.5" block on back, new 17 (vs stock 16) wheels/tires, new UCA, LCA, a diff drop, and CMC/Plate if needed.

 

Look at a full leaf pack instead of 1.5" blocks... less chance of axle wrap and a better ride. Check out the Icon RXT... 3 options to choose from depending on your weight. Be sure to do pre lift measurments from wheel hub to bottom of fenders.