Lava rocks and mountain trails

I am looking for a 3" suspension lift that will be adequate for heavy lava rock terrain as well as mud and dirt trails..I also have a far commute to work so a lot of highway travel as well.. I would like to stay within Toyota specs to keep a smooth ride and not be so hard on the truck. Also maybe a suggestion for best size tire to prevent any rubbing when going over extreme terrain..I have a 2006 tacoma access cab v6 4.0..I would prefer not to sacrifice too much power if possible by going to big

 

Mutually exclusive. The front suspension geometry wont allow lifting 3" without replacing the UCAs. You also may have vibration issues due to the driveline angles being out of "Toyota spec."

 

Welcome to TW! There isn't anything Toyota spec about a 3" lift, even if you get new UCAs, your CVs are at a more extreme angle as is your driveline as mentioned above. Rubbing is very likely if you go over 265/70R17 or 265/75/R16, 1" over stock. Sticking with smaller, lighter, C-load tires helps maintain your power.

If you want to do something that is in Toyota spec, you may look at doing something equivalent to a Pro 2" lift. Here is my example of a conservative build:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-tx-pro-kit-icon-aal.385619/

This is not to say 3" lifts cannot be done, they certainly can. But the higher you go the more sacrifices are made, and they greater cost to correct them. For playing on volcanic rock you may consider some armor and definitely sliders. I went with All Pro as the lightest DOM bolt on sliders I could find:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/all-pro-apex-bolt-on-sliders.450494/

 

The above info is true about a 3" lift.

That said, I have OME 885 coils on 5100 shocks with 1/4" top hat spacers on both sides for aprox. 3" of lift. On the rear I have OME Dakar leaf springs with extended length billstein shocks. I have extended brake lines all round and LR UCAs.

I'm really happy with how the truck rides on and off road (deep snow, mud, rocks/ logs). Sliders and real skids are a must for the kind of driving you mention.