3”+ Strut vs Spacer Lift

Those of you who are running 3”+ lifts, would you rather go with a cheaper strut lift like Skyjacker or Rough Country or a spacer lift like ReadyLift? Spending $1000+ on a lift is out of the question right now. Most of my off-road driving will consist of National Forest service roads, bumpy hayfields and the occasional trail. Would love to make a trip to Arkansas one day but I still wouldn’t go down anything that would need rock sliders at the moment.

16’ Limited 4WD

 

Imo you will be fine with both. I have a 2.5” 1.5” spacer lift , did the ecg’s bushings and did a lot of research. My bro is a mechanic so hooked me up. Surpreme Suspensions lift. Alignment in spec. Couldn’t be happier. 16k on lift. No problems. Light trails and camping for me. Good luck. Here she is 265/75/16 Yokohama X-AT

 

For your travels good tires and driver skill will do tons more for you than any lift.

If you actually need a lift for function, keep saving and buy a quality setup later on.

 

I need the lift because of the wheels I’m wanting to run, I really don’t care if it’s lifted or not. I’m sticking with 18s and the tires I’m wanting only come in 33s in the 18” wheel size as do most MTs. I’ll be going 275/70-18 and will need a 3” lift along with spacers for the stock wheels.

 

I did a 3/2 blocks and spacer lift for the pavement princess here; no rubbing no cutting , etc...very happy with the setup. I also did a rough country speedo recalibrator

 

How much are you dropping on your tires?

 

The Bilstein 5100, 6112, or Eibach Pro Kit would be your best option at 2” of lift. Anything above that is dumb unless you do long travel. This is 1.5” of lift in the front. I do the same off-roading (and a bit more) than what you described. Plus it rides VERY cush

 

Need 3”

 

No you don’t. State why?


Unless you like spending $$$on new CVs all the time. Stock height of the front fenders on a 3rd gen OR is 21”. At 24” your CVs will be hurting big time and the ride will be shite

 

I'm pretty sure you can do 5100s and a block and be under $1000. There are vendors here.

 

can you fit a 33 on 2” of lift?

 

Yes. Easily

You can do it on 1” of lift.

Lift is only a part of the factor. Camber and offset play a huge role.

Plus there are many different widths to a “33”.

Are we talking a useful 255 width or a showy overblown 285 width?

 

$820~

 

With stock wheels on 275 wide tires? I’ll go 2” if I can make it work and not rub any without cutting anything

 

How you managed to buy a TRD-limited trim truck, then optionally cheap out on the single most important part of it is almost inexplicable. Watch this youtube OP, its the future of your post:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLPnU-kiXCA&t=317s

also.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cam-bolt-question-now-with-answers-and-writeup.502084/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-understanding-alignment-cams.535891/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alignment-cam-eccentrics-help.158244/
youre probably gunna want to read all that, and THEN SOME, because cheaping out over difference between a good suspension kit and a junk one is about to cost you BIGLY.

 

PM the vendors here. I'm sure they can set you up.
I'd lean towards spending the money on suspension and spend less on the tires to start, and upgrade later. My .02 cents

 

What offset and camber? +3-4 degrees of camber should do it fine?

Do you have stock UCAs? If so, that will be an issue

 

dont do anything you have planned OP. All of it is going to rape your new truck. Its all patience for you here now. New tires=alignment.
lift=alignment. you literally CANNOT lift a Tacoma that high and not have upper control arms. Its not possible. The end. period. You will never get your truck aligned, and will open up a can of worms that will lead to the ruin of your vehicle. You need a proper suspension, upper control arms and GOOD ALIGNMENT NUMBERS.

AND DO NOT FORGET, most shops will align to FACTORY SPEC. They must be aware you have modified your vehicle and HOW you have modified it to correctly align it. SO IMPORTANT>

 

literally not possible to get the camber/caster figures he needs for those tires on stock setup. dunno why people are even gassing him up on this. OP save your self. Im trying to help you.

 

Exactly