If you could do it over again, would you still have lifted your truck?

Your preaching to the choir. I’ve had just as many toyota trucks as you if not more. Few lifted and stock. No issues in general. I’m simply saying a small lift done right doesn’t impact overall reliably. Will things come up, of course. But it will happen with stock ones to. Many many many members here have no issues with there lifted tacomas. Just sayin. Done arguing here lol

 

Not really an argument, like I said overall reliability sure not a big difference (powertrain, etc.), but other components do wear out faster vs a stock rig, can't really argue mechanical engineering aspects of stock tolerances vs. non stock, wasn't designed that way, CV angles, boots, hubs, diff seals, etc. all are stressed a bit more, out of tolerance more than a stock truck, reason they aren't designed that way from the factory, so yes you will be doing more maintenance over stock and addressing even though small, issues that you wouldn't have likely on a stock rig, even if minor. Do all trucks including stock require maintenance and psbl issues, sure, that's pretty obvious, point is depending on your setup (most here are 3'' and 285's), you are putting more stress, wear and tear over stock period, which will require more maintenance in the long run.

 

3 Inch lift with 285s, yes all day I agree it’s going to be a maintenance pig down the road.

2 inch lift with 265/75 will have minimal to no maintenance other than routine like stock ones would.

 

And that I can agree on whole heartedly, hardly any added stress / wear tear with a smaller setup.

 

I have put two lifts on twice.
Driving out to put on the second lift the first time, I was popping zantac like pez candy.
My son looked at me with a puzzled look.... my answer, I am nervous as hell, we are about to go fuck up a perfectly good truck.

 

32's baby.

 

I hear ya man. I’m just speaking from experience after driving lifted 4x4’s for nearly 2 decades. In the long run, parts begin to age and break/wear immaturely when you add the stresses of a lift and larger tires. If I planned to keep the truck 8+ years, I’d personally avoid it all together. In my experience, things may go smoothly for 50-60k miles, and then, piece by piece... problems start to arise.

 

I am with you 100 percent on this -- and I am probably much older than you are. Ran into two kids who were admiring my new 2020 TRD OR and they asked if I was going to lift it and I said no. They asked if I was going to change the grill to the pro grill and I said no -- I actually like the grill the way it is. Then they asked it I was going to change the wheels ... I said nope. I actually like them -- upgrading the tires to the Nittos was all that I needed. Truck looks tight and I am fine with that ... Heck, I don't even feel compelled to de-chrome the thing. Doesn't bother me. I will change the back bumper though -- that chrome does bother me.

Truck is all I need ... and very capable off road.

 

I've done a decent amount of research and tried to nail down the most aggressive light weight set up due to reasons mentioned above.

I recently went for better smiles per gallon as opposed to miles per gallon and went from a 265/70/17's tire size to 285/70/17's. (The Toyo At III's 285/70/17 are pretty lightweight and still aggressive) IMO. My logic was why not get the most enjoyment out of this truck. You can always sell your wheels and tires and change your set up if you don't like it.

The 265/70/17's looks good but not as good as 285/70/17 on a Tacoma. I'm feeling the loss of power/MPG now. They look fantastic and the loss of MPG in the grand scheme of things really isn't going to make too big of a difference in my life other than me filling up my truck more often and costing me a few extra bucks due to not being able to get as many miles on a tank.

As far as lift I think be alright as long as you keep it under 2.5 - 3 inches. I am sitting level on the Bilstein 5100's and will probably raise it so the nose is just a hair higher than the back.

My brother had an 07' Tacoma and ran 285/70/17's on them for over 100K miles and I think had about a 2.5 lift in the front. He never had any problems and the truck ran strong, he sold it at 180K miles.

Another factor to wear and tear on your truck is how you drive it.

 

I went with 265/75/16 route and love the look. I wanna get real rock sliders though. I may just upgrade to a TRD Pro suspension and maybe Dakar’s in the back,

 

Agree here 100%. These trucks look fantastic from the factory. Especially the TRD and + models. I can’t understand why people are so quick to just change this, change that, etc.. and I’m only 33 years old! To each their own though. I added window tint to it and called it a day. I may add a tonneau cover in the future and replace the stock rubbers for a true AT when the time comes, but that’s IT.

 

I just put that on mine a couple weeks ago. It’s been awesome.

I had no reason to lift but wanted an upgrade. I’ve been very happy with it

 

5100’s all around 2” front lift 1.5” rear AAL. 265/75/16. Wouldn’t change it. No issues.

 

Is that the overland rack? I tried to click on your build but it wouldn't load the page for some reason.

 

So I got a question to all savvy suspension guys here:

The trd pro trim sits higher than the rest. How much? 1 or 2 inches? And it comes from factory. Different suspension components but same front differential.

So, if Toyota sells a lifted Tacoma (higher than rest) I would assume that if I lift my trd off road 1-2 inches. It should NOT mess with the cv angles and cause more stress because I would be doing what Toyota does on the pro from factory... what about the needle bearing issue that many have when lifting... why does all pros do not have that issue because they are lifted?

if Toyota sells a 2” lifted Tacoma and warranty it I would assume that it is totally fine to lift up to 2” but reading many posts, it does looks like is not. Why?

 

TRD PRO sits maybe an 1'' higher, certainly not 2'', parked next to an off-road you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference. And most here will say a 2'' lift is pretty mild and depending on the tires you pair it with shouldnt be much added stress to components.

Someone did measurements once and found this:
2017 Pro front wheel well height: 35-1/2", 2017 TRD Off-Road: 35-1/4"
Rear Wheel well Height on the PRO: 36-1/4", the Off-Road: 36"

 

Hmm. Thats weird. My build is at https://www.adventuretacoma.com and yes its the UpTop Overland Roof & Bed Rack. Also my instagram is @adventure.tacoma

 

I look back at my past +40yrs of driving and don’t regret the times I modified my past vehicles. From Slamming, Lifting and SPL Audio days (those were fun btw). Man I burned up a lot of money. That being said, I like my truck the way it is. Only mods will be minor. Tint,Tonneau, & Tires. I’m good! Mod on guys! Us in the Ol’ camp will live our truck mods vicariously through you.

 

Same thought process, I have the means now more so than I ever did in my younger days, just priorities and value has changed for me. Still occasionally find myself scratching at the mod bug bite but just let it be. Do like seeing some of the really nice builds though.