leveling my Tacoma

what is used to raise the front end so the truck will set level and will raising the front affect the driving/handling of my truck?

 

How much are you trying to raise the front? You can get leveling shims which would be good for like 1/4". If you're looking for more than 1/4" you need to be looking for other solutions. New coil springs and shocks up front most likely.

Changing the relative height of the front of the truck, even by a lot, won't change things drastically once things are aligned.

 

I would like for the truck to be level and it's still all factory so I would say about 1 inch should do it.

 

Firstly, I suggest that you take some actual measurements. With the truck parked on a relatively flat surface and with equal tire pressures, measure from the fender to the ground and record the numbers. These numbers are meaningless in terms of comparison to other trucks but will be fine to get before and after measurements for yourself.

What you measure will determine what you need to do. 1/4" is considered leveling. 1" would be considered a lift, and you need to handle those differently.

Either way, being that you're saying your "still factory", I would highly suggest getting completely new coilover assemblies. Your current front springs are more than likely toast and sagging. It could be that installing new coilover assembles will get the truck back to the stock stance (with the rear just slightly taller than the front to accommodate load in the bed), and you wont need to do more than that.

You have some options when it comes to new coilovers. One of the most common goto options for stock height replacements are Bilstein 4600 series shocks paired with OME 880 coil springs. Some companies (like Wheelers offroad) will preassemble the shock, coil spring, and top cap for you as these parts are generally sold as individual components.

The 4600s are not adjustable. They have one welded on perch. The only adjustment you'd be able to do from there would be to install shims, or lift spacers. Lift spacers are an option, but they generally reduce ride quality. 5100 series front shocks are considered adjustable- they have three perch locations to provide different levels of preload on the coil. If you put the new 4600s on and take new measurements and find you need another 1/4" you'd be fine to add in the shims (you'd have to have a means to compress the coil and insert them). If you went with 5100s on the lowest setting, and didn't like that, you can move the perch up and lift the truck (again, you'd need a means to compress the coil to do this).

If you are dead set on "level" then truly adjustable coilovers are the way to go- they have threaded bodies, and an adjustable collar that you can dial the preload in to your exact liking.