2008 2-3" Lift Recommendations - Cross Country Travel

Hello all!

I've been lurking for awhile, admiring your builds and slowly trying to get my feet wet with some modifications. I will be going on a cross country road trip with a friend in about 6 weeks, and have been trying to research what would be the best route to go for a 2-3" lift. I don't have the tools or the space to do this myself unfortunately, but I have a good mechanic that I trust to do it, and not hurt the bank too badly on labor.

Anyway, I'm looking to add 2 to 3 inches maximum, and am not entirely sure what would give me the best bang for my buck. I'd like it to still ride nice (at least as it is now), have good reliability, and be less than $2,000 (including labor preferably).

If it matters:
4dr 4x4 2008 Tacoma
Stock rims
BF Goodrich AT tires (will update with specific sizes)

I won't be towing anything, but I will be hauling a bit of gear. Between the bed cover, additional passenger, and all our stuff, I'd guess between 600-800lbs total. (Probably not relevant?)

And if this post is breaking any rules, I apologize, mods please just delete it.

Thank you in advance for any and all help/advice!

 

I have the Toytec 3" kit with adjustable Bilstein 5100 shocks. I did a 17,000 mile road trip with it, and have zero complaints! With install this setup will run you about $1500 all in.

 

3" Suspension or body lift?

 

3" suspension.

 

I think I need to do more research to better understand each different kind of lift. Not sure what the pros and cons are of each and what I should be looking for.