First Tacoma. Help Me Undo Previous Owner Mistakes.

I have a 2018 TRD OR LB in quicksand. The previous owner installed spacer lift blocks in the front and rear. Currently sitting on 305/60r18. I hate these tires and the blocks. I bought SCS Ray 10 17" wheels and 275/70r17 BFG AT KO3 tires. I want to get Bilstein 5100's set to 2" in the front and Deaver J66 1" leaf's in the back. I mainly want to daily the truck and do some light duty off roading for fishing/hunting. No big accessories like decked or canopy in the back just plan on a low profile tonneau cover eventually. Is this setup overkill?

 

Since you're asking then you probably think it might be. It's not needed for a daily driver. Since you've already bought new wheel and tires you're probably stuck with that unless you can return for smaller size. Maybe hold off of the lift until you use it for awhile. Not everyone likes climbing in and out of a lifted truck. (wife/girlfriend/kids/pet)

 

You might want to post in your regional forum (https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/regions.36/) for a good local shop and get a full evaluation of anything else that was done. I would consider it worth a few $$ for a recommended professional to verify what really was done before guessing. Just my humble opinion.

 

That entire setup is overkill for what you’re doing, yes. My stock 2wd can do that sort of light off-roading. But you seem to want to do it (wheels, K03s, Deavers, lift via 5100s), so carry on. The heart wants what the heart wants.

 

Yeah, a little bit. Still, you've chosen good quality parts that should last you a while. I say go for it and enjoy the truck.

 

I HIGHLY recommend you reconsider the J66's. Those are super soft and flexy for desert speed runs. They are not intended for heavy loads or daily driving. You'll be hitting your bumpstops constantly.

Instead, go with Deaver U402 sage I's...

But as others have said, really analyze your use case and build accordingly.

But... dear god, yes! Remove the spacers and awful 18" wheels.

 

Thank you guys for your input!
I mostly just want good quality parts that are going to last and be comfortable, all while adding great aesthetics to the truck. Would old man emu leaf's be a better option? Or maybe just an AAL? Essentially I want 1" lift in the rear but I want to be able to throw an elk in the bed and know there's nothing to worry about.


This is the current 305 wheel and tire set up. (I have the SR5 Trail Grille just Not Installed Yet)

 

If you go 5100s buy new coils. Look into Old Man Emu.

I used 5100s with stock off-road coils on a second gen on the 2nd setting just to level the truck front-to-back. The tires didn't like it, they got chopped up, and the ride was unreasonably harsh. Just my 2 cents.

 

I have Deavers and in my opinion and most others, they are the top tier brand for our trucks.

OME Dakars are notorious for noise and squeaks, but generally people like them.

I previously had the Icon 3-leaf AAL, with the overload leaf removed (as recommended), and while I liked them for DD, they would flatten out with minimal load.

My Deaver 402's handle extra weight without an issue, but still ride quite nicely unloaded.

 

Should I just run my lift on the 5100's? so pull the blocks out and set the front to 2" and skip getting new leafs and just set the rears to 1"? I think that would be fine for the 275 tires but idk

 

Running blocks in the rear can lead to axle wrap. Typically, a 1" block shouldn't be too bad, if your leafs are new, but because the state of the existing leaf pack is unknown, you could experience axle wrap.

Fortunately, blocks are cheap. Throw 1" blocks in there and see what she do.

 

I already have blocks in from the previous owner, and I'm not a fan of running blocks so I want to pull them but I dont know how the 5100 rear shocks set to 1" is going to ride?

 

the rear 5100s dont "lift" anything and there are no perch settings on them. The are simply shocks. You gained lift by the block and the block alone. the 5100 as a shock is a good shock, better than OEM but not by much

 

I just replaced the OEM shocks on my OR that has 20,000 miles with 4600s. It was very noticeable to me. Less body roll, cushy bounce and nose dive. Even better during a bit of light off-road. Yes I know that the 4600s are basically the same as 5100s but without the ability to lift. Which I’m never going to do

 

I guess it could be overkill but what you plan is a really a nice setup - definitely good quality parts. Pretty much everyone agrees Deavers are top of the line definitely for more aggressive off roading than what you plan. Just get the right ones like Bertw suggested. I went with RXT option 1 for just under 2" in the rear and like them just fine but lots of folks don't like them and complain they squeak (I haven't had that problem . . . . yet) also some folks say they ware out after x miles - it depends how much weight you have on them I guess (again I have not had that issue but I do not have any weight on them at all as the bed is always empty so we will see). Yeah get rid of the blocks. I like my 5100 both on and off road. I got a 2" lift with coilovers (OME) in the front not with the 5100 - I kind of like that better.

Anyway - that set up will be nice as a DD and more than capable for the stuff you do off road . . . . over kill? who cares?

 

@TacoRayPNW where area are you in?

 

2" Bilstein 5100s are awesome. You can keep the oem springs as per Bilstein recommendations. Anything more than 1" block in the rear will be garbage, as you already know.

As for the weight in the rear with a tonneau cover, I've got the oem tri-fold soft top. Super light, easy removal, and fits in the back seat, if need be.

 

@Tacodog im in the spokane WA area

 

New wheel and tire set up. Still waiting on the suspension to come in. I think I will just pull the blocks and go back to stock height in the rear and just level the front with the 5100's. maybe do an AAL or old man emu leaf pack in the future idk yet.

 

If you looking for leafs. I have an Icon RXT pack. $300