Lift shop recommendations in Phoenix?

Just purchased a 2019 trd or and would like to throw a 3''-4'' lift on it. Just looking for recommendations in the area for shops that do good work at a reasonable price. Bonus point if close to Tempe lol.

 

I've been told this spot is great and have heard good thing about it here on the AZ forum

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/


FWIW I will likely be going to them to get my own lift installed and alignment. not sure if my lbj's need to be change but will pay for them to do it too if needed at that time

 

I 2nd Sierra Expeditions! I have been there a few times for them to work on my Taco. They are great and will do you right without charging you absorbent huge costs that some of the other shops will charge in the valley. Will is the main guy in the front and is awesome to deal with.

 

Sierra has installed the majority of my large scale mods since 2012, and they have talked me out of 3 times the amount of crap I wanted based on forum recommendations. I have replaced all items they laughed at and kept everything they recommended and installed. They do excellent work!

 

It sounds like Sierra Expeditions will walk through this with you, but before you get to that point, what is your:
-Budget, how much do you want to spend
-Driving Habits, what type of terrain will the truck typically see
-Weight Goals, do you plan on loading the truck up with armor/tent/etc in the future? Or will you be keeping it stock?

These can help guide you along the way.

Given that you want a 3" lift, you're already diving into "What do I do to fix this vibe, today?" territory, so that's gonna add some costs. You'll ideally want to get an Upper Control Arm as well, and potentially extended brake lines.

 

Yeah, the solid easy value lift is 2.5" which is OME with Dakar leaf and no UCA cost. This is the easiest decision and bulletproof.

The next step up with UCA's to get 3" is going to cost twice this at least.

 

I will add that Sierra Expeditions will not try to upsell you by telling you that you need the most expensive shit if you do not need it. For instance if you are just wanting to lift it and not needing to have the suspension for serious offroading, rock crawling, etc. They will suggest the lesser expensive Bilstein's, OME, Light Racing, and the lower end stuff. There is no need to spend 5k on Icon's, and such when you will never use your Taco for that. Icon's are nice, but when it comes to cost and knowing I will never need it. I can't justify the cost just to be in the in crowd.

If you are looking to blow at least 5k and maybe as much as 10k just for the name of Icon, then by all means go for it. Fox and Camburg are just as good too without the high cost of the name "Icon".

In the end what you are doing will determine what the end cost will be though.

Just my two cents on the subject. Have fun going down the endless rabbit hole of modding.

 

FYI, Sierra will allow you to order your stuff and bring it in, or they will order it for you. They do not upcharge you on the cost of the parts though.

 

Hahaha awesome! Most appreciated.... I def wasnt expecting such a thorough and expedited response. Sierra it is it sounds like.... On the topic though since this appears to be the crowd to discuss it with, I am kind of struggling with the choice of lift kit.... I will def be doing some offroading and possibly some very light rock crawling, but for the most part I don't want it to hinder on-road performance and/or fuel economy.

Also, for now, price is biggest factor. Almost so much that I considered doing it myself, but I really dont care for suspension work. Was leaning towards the supreme suspension 3'' front 2'' rear below.

Thoughts?

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https://www.extremeterrain.com/supr...pro-billet-lift-kit-0518-4wd-6lug-tacoma.html

 

If you insist on a spacer lift, buy this locally built one that is actually engineered and built locally. Go See Jeff Westcott https://westcottdesignsaz.com/# and tell him Chris Roberts sent you otherwise talk to Wil at Sierra for OME + up lift.

Spacer Lifts are SH_T!!! you will make your taco ride even rougher, and if you do wheel it, you can snap/bend the stock shocks.
If you want to go least expensive, get OME front, and extra leaf in the back. it will ride better and you won't need expensive UCA to align the truck.

I would skip Bilstein 5100's as they are just a lateral upgrade with more travel.

PS: I'm a suspension whore from all my motorcycle road racing days. Sierra did Radflo 2.5" with extended droop and Resi and Dakar leaf pack with 2 extra leafs on my truck and I have almost 90k miles with one rebuild at 68k miles. My mid-travel truck rides like a sofa when loaded up with 300-400lbs of camping/liquid gear etc.
I would do Radflo, Fox, or King before doing Icon since the others require less rebuilds if you run them.

I'm running a lighter camper now but I'm still a heavyweight with drawers and full armor.

 

Good call. Spoke w/Sierra Earlier and they more less said the same thing... Didn’t get the exact specs but dude suggested higher grade bilsteins in back and front? Idk... Was hoping they’d get a bit more specific.

What was the cost of your setup?

 

The Bilsteins aren't bad don't get me wrong and they are bulletproof - but Radflo, King, Fox, OME with resi (their higher-end stuff) all drive a lot more comfortable. (I have zero experience with Gen 3 Taco's and I felt my TRD offroad stock suspension was rough as hell with the short bed so your mileage will vary) But if you don't wheel crazy that setup they quoted you will basically do everything in Sedona with ease.

Once you go to 2.5" body's and 7/8" shafts with resi you are looking around 2500-5000 in parts plus install and it's about the same for Fox/King etc. Camburg UCA's are $699 and are included in that range.
You can go as little as 2.0" body without reservoirs and it will ride outstanding! I run reservoirs and the larger 2.5" body shocks because of my truck weight. I might do a full day of dirt roads at speed with 13-20 gallons of liquid and 200 lbs of equipment and my camper/and drawers 500lbs plus armor/winch/bumpers - so a full load that would over heat smaller shock setups.

 

Righteous! Good lookin out man. Some solid advice...

 

My guess is they said the Bilstein's with remote Resi's. I think that's the 6100's without looking it up. I do know a few peeps with Taco's and Tundy's running those and like them. I think that's my next step is going Bilstien's with resi's.

 

Great post.

To the OP...been in the same boat, looking for a lift for my 19' Tacoma.

Will is a straight shooter, so long as you know what your rigs goals are.

I ran an OME set up on my 03' Taco for a loooong time, and was very happy with its quality and ride. Cost me $1,500 and I self installed.

Also, I chewed through a set of half axles by running a 3+ inch lift on that Gen 1, so once you go north of 2.75 be very careful.

 

What is half axels? That's something I've never heard of before.

 

Half axles...CV axles...toe-may-toe/toe-mah-toe.

Ya' know, as opposed to gettin' all SAS-SY wit yo-self...half an' axle broken up by that IFS diff in the middle.

 

And now the world seems to make more sense again! Thanks mang!

 

You've probably heard the more common reference, half-shaft.

 

CV axles is what I have only heard them called.