best lift for the money

Hey everyone,
I am a 16 year old and I just spent a almost all of my money on a 2005 trd off road. I am looking to lift it and get some new wheels/ tires. I have picked out a pair on craigslist from a local tacoma owner. The tires are 285/70/17 and I want to pick them up. however realizing that I need at least 2.5 inches of lift in the front to fit the tires (I know I will need to trim) it is time for me to get a lift. But with the money I will have left there are not many options. I was looking at a 2 inch AAL for the rear and a 3 inch spacer for the front struts. I am looking to do some mellow offroading mostly on old logging roads to get to spots for mountain biking. will the 3 inch spacers be ok or should I hold off on everything and save up for a better option?

 

If you're that strapped, don't lift and don't get 285s.

You can't afford to fix anything.

Congrats on the truck. Most 16 year olds are not nearly as lucky.

 

Spacer lifts are complete garbage especially if you want to off road it. Basically a hunk of metal. Save your money and do it right, the mods will come one by one.

 

Don't do it. Not worth spending a measly amount on a lift and used tires just to encounter problems. Save some change and do it right, and I wouldn't off-road ever with spacers so it wouldn't line up with what your hoping to get at it.

Modding is expensive, don't take shortcuts, save up and do it right

 

thanks! I am lucky to have parents that chipped in for the truck but I put 3 full summers of working plus a part time job once I was old enough to get a job during the school year.

 

thanks for the help everyone, if no one would go with spacers would adjustable 5100's be the next cheapest option. would running shoes with stock could be fine?

 

Congrats

 

I have around 1200$ now and would like to keep around 500 incase anything happens. if people would hold off on a lift now what would be some mods that would be good to start out with?

 

Just relax and learn what the truck is capable of as it sits, and learn how to drive it well. Then learn how to get it un-stuck. You'll come to realize that the driver makes a huge impact on off road success, and you'll start to figure out what you may or may not actually need for improvement.

Learn how to maintain it carefully. It's '12 years old, and while they are very reliable, maintenance is a good thing to learn to DIY.

Many areas have off road driving schools. Spend some of your money on that.

If the truck came from salt country, be sure to inspect the frame very closely.

 

Nothing crazy I have 5100s with ome 885. And a 2" aal and some shitty pro comps out back. But that's changing very soon

 

thanks for the help, I have been driving stick since I was 13 years old but have only had a few off road experiences so far looking to change that this summer though!

 

What the fuck? Hell of a beard for a 16 year old.

Beers on me in 5 years. Remind me.

 

That's a very nice truck just as it sets ! Congratulations!!

I will have to agree with @Clearwater Bill 110%
Be good to your truck and it will be good to you
Enjoy it , Relax a year or so.

Money foolishly spent always leads to more money being foolishly spent !

 

How bald are those tires you have on it right now...?

 

Hankook or Falken 265/75/16. New from DTD. Save up for the lift.

Congrats on the new ride! When I was 16 I was driving a 1989 ranger 2wd.

 

Pics of mountain bike?
Nice truck Eli, save some money, be patient, and keep an eye on the for sale forum, you might score a deal on suspension parts!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/2nd-gen-tacoma-parts-marketplace-2005-2015.122/

 

what this guy said ^^^^^^

Good tires can get you a hell of a lot of places....Hell even when I had bald tires i could still get places on the trails. Lift kit later when you have the money, thats exactly what i did with my build, ordering my 5100's with 884 coils in a week or so

And if you are really itching to do stuff with little money, start tinkering with lights, exhaust, drop in air intake, plastidipping emblems/debadging, blacking out bumpers/tail lights/third brake light. Plenty of stuff out there to keep you busy. Stat a truck fund jar....

 

But also yah post mountain bike pics!!!

 

Who would be doing the install?

Plenty of people run spacers. I've ran both spacers and 5100 with 885x coils. Couldn't tell a difference in ride.

Thing is it's your truck do what you see fit. Do what you want. Thing is don't settle for oh this should work. Get what YOU want. Do it once do it right.