Analysis Paralysis - Anyone want to throw some opinions at it?

Soooo, I've been reading the stickied threads maybe a bit too much. I went into a 4WP shop here in FL to try and chat about my lift goals / what parts match that best and the guy was like "it's all really the same, just pick your height and your price point" and I was like...really?

Anyway, I think I'm getting close to saved up enough for a decent lift (and also a bit antsy, I've never been able to lift a truck before so I'm pretty excited for it). Figured I'd share my overall goals and see if folks wanted to scream opinions at me to help me narrow it down?

Budget: $3500 or so
Lift: ~2-3 inches, leveled
Usage: Primarily carrying more weight in the back (tent, DECKED, camping gear), light off-roading, smooth-ish daily drive

I feel like if I wanted to do it pricey I could just grab some coilovers and a leaf pack, drop the diff and make a few other adjustments

I also have a 16yo daughter who drives it from time to time, and she hates jarring bounces or squirly alignment - maybe that's not possible to solve for in this build but makes me wonder if UCAs/LCAs would be worth adding in.

I'm not sure if doing something like the Billstein 5100s and stock coils would work well for what I'm shooting for.

Am I barking up the wrong trees overall?

 

For $3500 you can do just about whatever you want. You put a nice set of deaver springs, coilovers, rear shocks and UCA's for right around that. It doesn't sound like you need much but once you start modding you might as well just do it once and not have to do it again later.

 

ide say don't get advice from 4wp ever. 5100s aren't going to give you a silky smooth ride, more like a wooden carriage from the Oregon trail days.

 

that price is just a skooch lower than what I paid for Kings all around and dakar leafs.

 

You might as well do Long Travel for $3500.

 

That's escalating it nicely. I figured I might not actually need that for light off-roading. So I guess I could go ahead with it, or just try not to spend the full budget and use that for something else later maybe...

 

This was going to be my suggestion. Kings, Dakar packs, JBA UCAs, done.

 

3500 for the arms, and 1500 for the shocks, but then you lack any beef in the back end where all your mentioned payload is gonna be.

 

Yea, that's more the concern. Overall trying to approach the build from what I need not just what I want / can save up for. And we do have quite a bit of gear piling up there in back that I'm just not sure stock is gonna be good for long term.

 

In the world of suspension you generally get what you pay for.
Bigger shock (up front) ride better and cost more.
Monotube shocks ride better and cost more than twin tubes.
Deaver springs ride better than cheap Dakar springs, but cost more.

It's great that you have a budget in mind and know how you are going to use the truck.
Here are my recommendations:
Front Coilovers: Fox or King 2.5 with Remote Reservoir because they have excellent ride quality & durability
Front UCA: Anything with a ball joint in it for durability
Rear Springs: for budget get a mini-pack, for killer ride then deaver or Icon RXT
Rear Shocks: 2.0 Fox, possibly with adjuster for varying loads

This kit is right at your price point: https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/05-tacoma-mid-travel-suspension-kit-stage-2-fox/

 

"a wooden carriage from the Oregon trail days"
I don't know what you were in when you bumped your head, but damnit boy.. lol
If 5100's were under you, then I'm sure shit went south quick.

I'm sure that 5100's are not buttery smooth or close for that matter. If we are comparing ADS, Kings, or Fox's. But they fall right between stock OR & Sport shocks. Never have I heard a TRD Sport owner describe the ride as Oregon trail days... Can’t quit laughing bout that!

About the best budget friendly shock you can lift the front of your truck with using hight adjustment clips OEM Spring or aftermarket. With valving slightly firmer over OR stock shock.

There are a lot of options out there for you, for your build. You just need to find what you want to run and talk with AccuTune Offroad or other shops about valving needs. Lot's of threads talking about springs too.

I love that quote though...

@sprjr where you at in FL?

 

Orlando actually! Still feeling out some of the trails around here, seems like it's a lot more wet & flat than NorCal areas we used to try to explore...

 

@HeadStrong Off-Road ?

 

If you can ride in similar equipped trucks with different suspensions and ask questions what do you like/dislike.
I’ve spent to much time/funds finding the setup I like which but you don’t HAVE to have a high dollar race type shock. Old man emu is a proven setup but I do suggest find a better leaf pack than dakars they squeak like a SOB.

 

Over in Citrus County, right across from the Citrus wildlife management area. I know FL section is working on a meet out here.

Funny I'm from So.Cal done all of Big Bear, Johnson Valley, Lucern up to the Rubicon and all over San Diego. Moved here and boy is it flat.
Don't wheel the way I did when I had my Jeep but I did not buy this truck for that type of wheeling.

 

I recently learned of Ironman 4x4 Foamcell Pro's. Big, beefy shocks that dont fade and ride good on and off road.

Not a lot of ink about them from other Tacoma owners but the Land Cruiser, FJ and 4Runner crowds seem to like them.

They're now #1 on my list as they tick the boxes for performance, expected ride quality and cost. Going to add JBA UCA's

 

Just call @AccuTune Offroad or @Radflo Shocks . With that price point they can get you steered in the right direction.

 

I’d call Headstrong or Toytec. Sure won’t sell shit you don’t need.

 

5100’s and a Deaver mini pack. Big shocks do nothing on the street

 

The Decked system may be nice but you loose a lot of space and don't need the capacity that there decks provide. A deck system is not needed but if you want one build your own and save a ton of money to put towards other gear. Just get some nice tubs to carry your gear in and then you can keep your gear in the same tubs when using. Are you planning for larger tires/wheels? If your main objective is to carry camping gear you could just go with air bags.