Another lifting advice thread..... sorry

I have a 17 TRD OR DCSB 4x4. I was planning to have my dealer install a 3"/2" Ready lift spacer kit. The nice thing about that is all my warranty stuff and extended warranty will remain the same per my dealer who puts these on a lot of Tacomas. Im comfortable with this plan, but.......

Im running all stock right now and am really not happy with how the stock suspension reacts to rough roads , pot holes , ect especially with it being very cold here , but even in summer I get bump steer and body roll . I can deal with it but not particularly happy with it. So I started looking at small suspension lifts instead. Im NOT interested in going BIG. 2"-2.5" max. Im going to keep the stock OR rims with 265/75/16 tires since they have grown on me and kinda like them.

My truck stays on road 99% of the time. Im an old guy so Im not so adventurous as I used to be . This is my first Tacoma . Ive always had 4Runners and still have my 16 Trail Edition that the wife has stolen from me....lol.

Im looking at Toytec Boss kit ~vs~ OME kit. Both are around the same price give or take a few$$. Just don't know the best route to go. Obviously the suspension kit , though better than spacer would create some warranty issues.

 

Lift has absolutely nothing to do with handling. It's all about shocks and springs. If you have been in a 4Runner for awhile then you are feeling the difference between coil and leaf springs in the rear. Gets some good shocks and call it a day. If you feel its too soft then put some shocks off a TRD Sport like mine. It's much firmer handling wise.

 

If you are concerned with just road comfort, you don't need to spend the money for the BOSS version of toytecs lift kits. A standard will do. OME kit is OK as well. Do more research and also check out Headstrong Offroad. They have great prices and the staff is extremely helpful. Just keep in mind that lift mediums affect a lot more than height.

 

The suspension lift won’t necessarily void your warranty. Your dealer has to have proof that your suspension parts directly caused the failure of of whatever component failed. Yes, they may hassle you but unless they have definite proof then they can’t do much once you start putting the pressure on them. I did a 1” lift with 5100”s on all corners to avoid any potential issues that come with lifting. Rides better than stock and I love the look.

 

^^^^^ THIS!

G.

 

So you don't need lift, you just want the look?

Use taller, but narrower tires. 255x85x16 will actually create ground clearance, no rubbing, cutting or suspension changes required.

I will say this though.

If you want a plush ride, you might have the wrong vehicle type. To stick with this vehicle, upgraded shocks, no lift, P rated tires at the proper pressure is the starting point. And you might find that some weight in the bed helps as well.

 

ClearwaterBill is right. And, what pressure are you running your tires at? Unless they are rock hard, I couldn’t imagine why one thinks it’s a rough ride with stock suspension. You will be very disappointed with any lift you add over what you get with what you are experiencing with the stock suspension. If you are referring to how it rides off-road, higher pressure in the tires, and lack of a load in back, along with road conditions will all miltiply roughness of your ride.

 

I just don't like the bump steer body roll . Ive been driving trucks my whole life Im used to a truck. if I want a cushier ride Ill drive the 4R but I love everything about this except for the 2 things I mentioned I think a better shock would be a help but if Im doing that I want a little lift to it. I do want a lift 2" or so to have a better stance.

The 255/85/16's are a good idea but for me personally there is no tires available in that size in the tire I want. My first choice is duratrac and second choice is the BFG AT KO.

 

I would advise against the Duratrac. I have personally had a terrible experience with them. Performance wise they were great, but wear and balancing issues were horrendous from the get go. Other people have had better go with them, maybe you will too.

 

I ran Duratracs on my 4R for two years and they were hands down one of the best tires ever owned. They had about 75% tread after 38k miles and milk off roading. Granted that they are a meatier tire, they caused slight vibrations in the steering wheel and the noise wasn’t all that bad. The KO2’s I have on my taco now are noisier and cause more vibrations in the steering.

 

I have to 2nd this. I was loyal to the Duratrac and ran several sets. I never got the wear that everyone claims to get out of them and they cup like crazy after 20k miles and you can't keep them balanced. Love the way they performed and looked but not worth the issues. I just switched to Nitto Terra Grapplers and though they are not as aggressive it seems they are a much better tire.

 

Facepalm. This couldn’t be further from the truth.


Yes. If you beat the piss out of your truck with a spacer lift, shit is gonna break. When stock shocks break, it’s out of ignorance to what you’ve installed in your truck in relation to what you’re using it for. But hitting a bump with a spacer lift? Lol. You’ll be fine. Using scare tactics for people to conform to the “forum standard” is what makes this site shit sometimes.

 

He said he doesn't like the stock suspension...a spacer lift isn't going to correct that. Spacer is for a look which is all good in my book, but it's doesn't add performance.

I'd looks into OME or Bilstein 6112 front and 5160 rear. I'm biased to Bilstein setup tho and seem to always say the same post if your looking for a budget lift that adds a lot of performance over stock on road and offroad.

Good luck.

 

Spacer lifts are shit.

 

Thanks I’ll make some calls on Monday.

 

Why didn't you just say you wanted a lift for looks? Lifts do not help anything about your ride or handling. Actually lifts can make it worse because of the CG change.
Stance lol.

 

Please be concise.

@Fallsguy I am not a expert on anything, let alone anything that actually matters...thus my opinion is you need to replace the suspension to improve the ride performance and you might what to research the different approaches, techniques, technology and match that to your goals, knowing you will have some trade offs. If after that you want to add more clearance for wheel/tire "look" than at least you will be riding on the parts that most directly contribute to ride quality. Your statements as to how you plan to use your truck are a key starting point (as is budget/time and keeping the wife's hands off your soon to be awesome truck). I vacillated on this for years and finally (my last truck) was too old to bother with so I got a new truck and am acquiring the suspension parts as we speak...if after I install them and beat on the truck a bit I think i need some body lift (on the truck, no mine)...I'll get some bushings, but personally I'm not starting there. Pic it up when you get a chance.

 

Noted: To be concise. You will not improve upon the factory drive-ability of the truck lifting on a budget. You can pretty much maintain what you have by going with 885's or an OME lift. Keeping in mind you will need to budget $1,500 as each truck is different but might get away with say half that. To actually improve the handling ability of the truck go ahead and double that budget again and get into the 3k range and start looking at product from King, Fox, Icon and so on. For me I wanted to lift the truck, add larger tires and make it tougher or more durable but in doing that made my ride stiffer. Keep in in mind I have plate bumpers and some added weight so I had to go with springs that are stiffer and swapped out the rear leaf packs. Switched to LR UCA's and that list goes on for a while.

As for "spacer lifts are shit" all a spacer is doing is adding stress to factory components. You are lifting the vehicle for aesthetics but compromising it in most every other way. Your bump stops no longer function in keeping the shocks from bottoming out thus putting them at risk. The UCA's are thrown out of spec as is the drive-line angle and every moving part of the steering geometry. If you lift properly you actually replace the parts that lifting stresses with parts designed for the increased ride height and strain. To properly lift you add functionality and durability to a suspension by adding or replacing parts designed for the function you are attempting to achieve. Thus: Spacer lifts are shit!

If you don't spend at least a grand you don't have much of a lift. My .2

In my opinion you should get an OME lift, the progressive 3 leaf pack for the rear and some LR UCA's. This will give you lift, stiffen the ride and make it more like what you are used to and you will have a tougher truck that is more capable for $1,300ish that can be installed in an afternoon in your garage. If you decide to go this route PM me. I would be happy to help you in any way I can.

 

Nice post! So would an Icon Stage 8 be in this category?
http://iconvehicledynamics.com/shop...ma-0-275-suspension-system-stage8-billet.html

Please note the “concise” was an attempt to joke.

 

This is all very interesting. As a new guy to lifts and suspension the options seem so vast and a bit intimidating. Must. Learn. More!