First 4x4 and Tacoma

I have a 2016 4x4 Tacoma and this is my first. I’m looking to purchase a 3” lift and wheels and tires for it.
I want something not to outrageous affordable.
Need help

 

A hell of a lot of offroad performance can be had by tire choice.

I have little experience with lifting.

Never felt the need.

If and when I do....it'll be a full on suspension lift......because I need the functionality of the gear....not the look.

 

Make some friends w/ lifted tacos near where you live and ride with them. Ride changes pretty drastically depending on set up you choose. First thing I’d ask myself is what I want out of it. If you go on dirt roads on a daily basis you may choose a different set up than someone who mainly uses their truck as a daily driver on pavement. Once you figure that, then think of a budget. Prices can vary significantly depending on what you wanna get out of the truck. Another question I’d ask is if you want to soften the ride (make make it less capable of handling weight/tow) or stiffer ride (may make ride harsher). And finally, figure out how much weight do you want to carry. Some people have pretty heavier loads w/ all kinds of gear and tools that may weigh your lift down. I’m sure there are many other variables to think about. Those are the ones I wish someone had pointed out for me as I planned my lift. Good luck!

 

Are you lifting for looks or are you lifting for...

Point is, unless you are going balls out in the desert or rock crawling there is little point to lift, unless it is for the look.

Some will tell you it is helpful to fit bigger tires. That is true, if you lift 6". If you stay in the 2-3" range, you have to fit the tires throughout the suspension range and that includes stock height. So you will have to mod to fit the big tires at stock height even if you lift.

Good luck and have fun!

 

Thanks for the response guys. Where I live is mostly paved but there’s also a lot of beaches and that’s where I’m trying to get. And I do have lots of gear to haul sometimes. My budget is reasonable around $5k. Looking for some parts suggestions. I don’t know where to start.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-lift-faq-guide-read-this.11282/

 

Call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. Tell her what you want, your budget and everything else. She will help you from start to finish and they won't take you for a ride.

 

My worn out stock shocks (2nd and 3rd gen share suspension) would fade after 30-45 minutes of gravel road driving. Just to give you an idea. Stock suspension is pretty capable. I used to live close to Daytona Beach and the stock TRD OR shocks did great. If you go for looks, make sure you don’t end up making it less capable (ie spacer).

 

That’s who I used for my rear leaf springs. Couldn’t be happier.

 

Got it. I’ll give Headstrong off road a call.
Thanks for the help guys

 

3 inch lift = bigger tires = less torque = less mpg = you'll be back on the forum in no time at all!

 

Welcome to the party

 

FIFY

 

Thanks for the reassurance GR8APE

 

Tacoma World =

 

Thanks guys

 

Read the build threads tons of information, including possible issues and solutions to those issues.

 

What these guys say is all pretty true from my experience. I was in the same boat as you and went with a mid travel king set up on 285/70/17s. My mileage has suffered horribly and my power is down big time. Now I've ordered 4.88 gears. Since I'm in there, I'm gonna put an ARB air locker up front. I have a fortune in my tacoma. At the end of the day the guys around town with the cheap 6 inch lifts on 35s look more macho than my truck too. I don't regret it as my ride is awesome, and I went into this wanting to build a sherman army tank. If you don't plan on hitting some sketchy stuff offroad though, stock or a more budget lift may be alright?

 

You are welcome! Might want to be looking for an extra source of income to go along with your new hobby.

 

These machines are capable of running on the beach stock even with stock tires. Air down to 15 pounds, get a inflator if the beach does not have a air station. I like my Viair. If its an automatic transmission stay in 3rd gear. Get rid of the mud flaps or cut 4 or more inches off.