Lift kit options need help!!!!!

Hey guys my taco is due for new shocks and tires soon. I have the TSB 4 leaf pack rear suspension done. I looking for 2.5 or 3 inch lift, i want run 32 maybe 33 one day. I want an upgrade to my stock trd o/r package. Something that is cost effect too.

1. What would be the cost for factor trd o/r shocks all four and possibly front springs including install fees from dealership? This will be my reference point.

2. If I want an overall lift of 3" do i need to lift the rear suspension if i have the 4 leaf TSB done? Possibly .5 lifting block?

3. What are some aftermarket options for lifting my truck within the cost of the factor oem stuff? I don't think i need front spring but lets to do two options: a) need front spring. b) don't need front spring. I know and willing to put extra cash toward the lift if need be as long as its with in reason.

4. Also how well is the trd pro compared to the o/r? If its better and worth while could i install it on my 07 taco? And of course some rough estimate of the cost as well.

 

I'd stay away from spacer lifts to start (I have one and can't wait to get rid of it for an OME lift). I'd also go with 33's, I'm 99% sure you won't be upset with them for any reason and if you're going to do it why not now right? I run 285 BF Goodrich KO's but I've heard great things about nitto trail grapplers as all around tires as well; lots of tire threads on here to drive you insane haha.

1. Factory off road shocks are the bilsteins for the off road package, all taco's have bilsteins, the off road just has a better set I believe, can't remember which model # but most guys use after market bilstein 5100's from what I've noticed around here. I believe they're roughly $200 for the front so $400 ish in total for front and rear. Google them and shop around. I'd recommend the old man emu (OME) lift kits, I'm going with a 3" OME that will be around $900 but depends on some specifics. OME coils and shocks are also excellent quality and offers an an excellent ride quality, they only do up to a 3" lift because when you go higher you get into a whole other world of specifics and you have to replace more stuff on your truck because of the strain from the lift. 3" lifts or less are best for not breaking the bank and are generally easiest on suspension, check em' out if you want:
https://bilsteinlifts.com/shop/05-and-up-tacoma/ome-suspension-lift-kit/
Finally, dealers generally charge about $100 per hour of labour to work on your truck and depends on how experienced the guy is. If you like to work on your own truck, do it yourself and you'll save a ton.

2. What's the lift height you're getting from the TSB? 2 inches? If so that OME lift kit gives you the add-a-leafs you'll need or you can choose a complete dakar pack for best rear lift performance and ride

3. Again that OME would be a solid choice keeping you around the $1000 mark and it gives you coils and front/rear shocks, front differential drop kit, I'd recommend also going with an aftermarket upper control arm (UCA) like the light racing UCA, there pricy ($400) but lifting your vehicle puts a lot of strain on control arms and the LR UCA's help that a lot.

4. From what I know and understand about the TRD PRO is that it's another step up from the baja tx which is a step up from the off road package. Sorry I don't know all of the specific upgrades but if you google it you should be able to find it no problem. I think regarding if you can put the pro on your off road, the pro just has better all around off road components so just check out endless threads on here about all the aftermarket modifications and you can make it so your truck is similar, better, or outrageously killer compared to the TRD PRO.

Hopefully this kind of helps, lots of information on TW but if you have any questions or need clarifying feel free to ask!

 

Thanks! Definitely does help. So it looks like around 500 buck extra over the stock price? I think the the dealership said the TSB would add up to 1.5" of lift to the rear.

 

Yea if you want to keep your TSB and just upgrade shocks the bilstein 5100's are solid choices and I think they might be adjustable, and then you could go with new coils to lift the front too. A complete lift kit is nice because it's all there aside from UCA's generally unless it's more than 3 inches of lift. If money isn't too tight, fox shocks are #1 in my list except they go for around $500 each...

 

Gotta ask, what is this tsb?

 

Technical service bulletin, the dealer gives you new leafs from what I know because the ones from the manufacturer malfunctioned. But don't quote me on anything aside from what it stands for haha

 

There will be lots if great answers here. I say checkout the Headstrong Off-road kit for 2.5" of lift. 5100's front and back. You pick your front coil from 3-4 options. The OME884 keeps you within 2.5." If you want higher you will need to consider UCA's to aide proper alignment.

Toytec offers similar 5100 kit with Eibachs (firmer than OME884). Both kits come with a 1.5-2" AAL. Both kits come in under $700. You can get front struts pre-built.

I considered Toytec kit but went with Headstrong and the OME's to keep things from being too stiff.

I called a few shops last week to get an estimate. I got 3 hrs @ $75 an hour + alignment. Another shop said $400 with alignment.

 

Again thanks guys. I think a 3" lift may to much for me. I like the look of the trd pro and that's a 2" lift(I think) with 32. I don't want any additional headaches right now(driveshaft issues or having to buy UCA) so i think 2-2.5" lift maybe max for me. Do the 5100 actually lift the truck on stock front springs? Or does it simple allow you install a lift kit without any shock travel issues? I will be adding trail armor to the taco, will the front stock spring handle the weight?

 

Shocks provide zero lift. Springs (coil and leaf) are where you get the lift.

 

Thought the Bilstein 5100s were ride height adjustable shocks meaning they will lift the truck without needing new coils.

OP, if you just want 2" lift, just get bilstein 5100s. you can set 5100s to .85, 1.75. or 2.5" in the front, and You wont need UCAs. Sounds to me like all you need/want is the front bilstein 5100s set to 1.75 +tsb. Proabably only cost ~$200 for the two shocks and you will get about 2" lift.

 

Yea I agree with vandal, the bilsteins are adjustable, and if in the futur you have quite a bit of weight up front or decide to get another inch of lift you can just upgrade your coils. I think 200+ lbs in the front of aftermarket components makes it sag a bit, but you can get coils to balance it back out of you don't like how it looks after you get armor

 

OP I'm running 1.5" front and 2" rear with 265/75/16s. Is this kind of what you're looking for?
You could do what I did and get 5100s all around, front preload at 1.75 and a Wheelers 3 leaf progressive AAL and keep your stock overload in for 2 inches of lift. Or get coils up front. Should be around $500 if not less.

 

I've got bilstein 5100s and ome 887s waiting in the garage to be set up I was just suggesting the 5100s in the front for the OP, but I agree that would be good.

OP, if I were you I would do something like this:

1) 5100s in front, set to 1.75" for level look (about $200). You can do billies in the rear too, but they will not add height so if you want to keep the factory rake, do an AAL + billies in the rear. This should be less than $500

2) if you want more than 2" of lift get a bilstein or OME kit with shocks and coils, and either an AAL or new leaf pack. I paid something like $600 for all four shocks, OME coils and and AAL and I am planning on getting 3 full inches. If you do this you will need to consider upgrading UCAs (some do, some don't, kinda depends on how you feel about "proper" alignment.)

Of course there are much nicer (aka more expensive) routes, but I got the sense that you were kind of on a budget.

 

Damn, I meant Chunk.. sorry.

 

Great advice a guys. I'm thinking about 5100s at all for corners. Lucky for me I don't really need a rear lift (as long as 32s will fit maybe 33s) the TSB raised it 1-1.5" so just a leveling kit up front and rear shocks would do. Without the rake would towing (5000lb boat) be an issue? Also an everyday usage question, could a taco fit in a normal height garage if it had 3" lift and 33s?

 

What's a normal height garage haha? Measure your garage and your truck (on concrete for best measurements). I'd try for like a good 10 inches of wiggle room maybe or even just a foot of space.

 

Biggest you can go without trimming is 265s. I have a stock sport suspension now with 265/75/16 and no rubbing at all. If you want 285s you will have trim a little, especially if you only have 2" lift. Some people only get minor rubbing with 285s on a 3" lift, but with 1.75" I would imagine it would take quite a bit of trimming. It will depend on wheel/tire selection to some degree as well.

 

Where you located?

I just received the OME kit with 886's (Heavy kit) and the shops around me in Mass. all charge $100/hr. and I was quoted 5-10 hours. So I decided I'll have a local shop do the front for $200-300 and then I can do the rear myself. The guy I spoke with at ARB suggested this as an alternative (since I can't compress the spring myself anyway) and said I should install the bumper first then have them do the front, drive home (carefully), and then install the rear and get an alignment.

Any other suggestions?

While I'm at it can you use a Hi-Lift on a smittybilt receiver shackle?

 

I live in Northeast Georgia. I'm thinking of doing the back myself and letting the shop do the front. I wouldn't trust a hi-lift for any service. Only
Three points of contact with ground. Not too safe, IMO.

 

I'm planning on renting a spring compressor, I'm sure it'll take me a lot longer to figure it all out but I enjoy dedicating entire weekends to one of my favourite toys. What are your guys' thoughts on UCA's with a 3" lift, specifically I'm doing OME, know it's beneficial but is it completely necessary right away? I'd do it in the future once I save more money after buying the lift anyways, just wondering if it's bad that I don't do it right away.