Back in a Tacoma. New Chapter

For the past ten years, I drove an '07 FJ Cruiser. It was certainly a passion project of mine and I'd planned on keeping it forever. Unfortunately, in March, another driver going the opposite direction lost his rear end on an icy road, slid into my lane, and totaled my FJ. I bought it back in '15 for $16.8k. After nearly ten years, 100k miles, a couple epic cross country road trips, and a flawless service record, I received $16.7k for my total loss insurance payout. I turned around and recently bought an '09 Tacoma TRD Off-Road access cab 6spd. Something about it feels right, as it is essentially the same truck I had before the FJ, just one generation newer.

I'm looking to add no more than a 2in lift. I'd like to be able to fit 255/85r16 tires. I intend to add a camper shell with roof rack, a drawer system for the bed, and a winch integrated into the factory front bumper.

All that considered, I'd like the truck to have a leveled appearance. Looking for suspension and lift suggestions. I'm considering Bilstien 5100's and lifting the truck 2in in the front, but I've got no idea what I ought do for the rear. Dealt with four link for the past decade. Blocks? add-a-leaf? someone please point me in the right direction. Much appreciated.

 

Welcome. I own a 4Runner but I think a lot of folks here will recommend RXT leaf pack.. just some discussion in the last few days about some leafs.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rxt-leaf-pack.830969/#post-29783294

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-rxt-leaf-pack.505580/

 

Build update:

Here's what's been done since I've bought the truck in April (not necessarily in this order):

New CV axels
New front wheel bearings and hubs
New U joints
New carrier bearing
Leveled with Bilstein 5100s (all around) and mid duty coil springs
Seat covers
Shift knob
Dash cover
Steering wheel cover
Window & hood visor
Installed yellow fog lights
Blacked out side & trail gate badges
Volant air intake (from the FJ)
and most recently got rid of the chrome with a color matched OEM honeycomb grill and color matched rear bumper covers by bumpershellz.



Next, I'd like to get a few things done before winter. New tires, I'm thinking of Falken Wildpeak M/Ts in 255/85r16 (33in "pizza cutters"). Throw out bearing in squeaky so I'm gunna have that and the clutch replaced. Lastly, before winter, I need to build a sand bag carrier with some 2x4s so they'll stay put over the rear axel.

Beyond that, here's the rest of the plan:
New center caps with black toyota or TRD logo decals
Blacked out side moldings
New inner fenders
Rear end bushing kit
New dash mat Blk w/ red trim
New shift boot Blk w/ red trim
New TRD seat covers
TRD O/R factory all season floor mats
New Blk leather steering wheel cover black w/ red trim
Interior MOLLE racks & storage
Jensen double din touch screen head unit
UHF/VHF radio
CB radio
Goose gear rear seat delete (drivers side)
Borla pro xs muffler w/ cat back piping and black exhaust tip
Rock sliders
Front bumper integrated winch mount and winch
Truckbed topper; either a color matched, traditional fiberglass campershell (with rack) or a black Wildtop topper from AUS.
MOLLE interior bed racks
Truckbed sleeping platform
Overhead offroad lighting, would like to do some old school Hella 450 lights up top.
Public address system
Full detail including clay bar and headlight restore.

... Not necessarily in that order.

So yea that's the update and the plan. Excited with how it's coming together. It finally feels like 'my' truck. Happy to hear any feedback, advice, or questions.