My 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD 4" BDS lift review. Honesty version

OP I'm sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with the outcome of your truck. I am curious though as to if you have ever had a lifted truck like this before? Unfortunately as stated above, it sounds to me as though a lot of this could have been more less avoided had your dealer done his part in qualifying his customer on what was the right setup for you, or setting the correct expectation of what is to come with a mod like this.

BDS does design their 4 & 6 inch kits to use the same components as each other, with the exception of the strut spacers, rear blocks and rear shocks. Also as stated above your lack of up travel is due to your installer not trimming the new bump stop to the recommended size in the instruction sheets. A lot of your squeaks and pops you're hearing may be due to again installation error. BDS prides themselves in providing it's consumers with a high quality product. I hope that your dealer offered you a complementary 500 mile re-torque/inspection of everything they did so that they may address issues like these that you are speaking of.

Another factor in your now harsher than factory ride is the new tires. Though I consider the Toyo RT to be one of the top three tires in the industry right now, they like most others in the plus sizes are a LT, 10ply, 3195lb, rated tire and when put on such a light weight vehicle that was originally equipped with P-Metric rated tires you will be more prone to feel every little discrepancy in the road.

Though you may not have seen the large increase in frontal ground clearance as had you of done the 6" version of this kit, or a lift setup more commonly seen on this forum, you can be assured you will not have the driveline vibration issues that a lot of others are experiencing. Also when speaking of the desire to achieve more frontal ground clearance when doing a lift and taller tires on your Tacoma, I feel as though that most forget that the rear diff can only go so high. Therefore most lift manufactures don't see the benefit in engineering their kits to add anymore unwanted stress to your front end components by pushing it to the max right off the bat, when your rear diff still hangs down lower than their drop brackets.

 

The instructions do not say to trim the bumpstops

 

Thank you for posting. I just put a 3inch Pro-Comp Lift with Billstein shocks. The issue that I am having is a slight rubbing on the frame during tight turns and was looking to change my lift out to the BDS 4" to eliminate the problem. Now after reading this, I question that decision. The ride is a little rougher but not bad and Tacoma gas mileage sucks anyway. I have to do more research but was reading the BDS is the right direction to go because they spec out closest to the factory.

 

Unfortunately you'll still rub with an additional lift. Maybe just driving around you'll be fine, but once you hit a bump, you're rubbing again. This is a much more common and cheaper option and the majority of guys on here who run 33's (myself included) have done this.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/b-a-m-f-cmc-plates-cab-mount-chop.192527/

 

I am not crazy about cutting my 2016 truck but may not have a choice. What is the next best option replacing my 285's too?

 

You could maybe get different wheels to push the tires out more?

 

Drop bracket lifts are for looks not performance. I don't know why ground clearance would matter for their purpose

 

Drop it down to some 265s and just pick an aggressive tire. It'll still look good. For what it's worth, if the Cmc is properly done, no one will know it's been done.

No, that will make it worse.

 

Interesting, how so? I'm down to learn some basics here.

 

There's a picture floating around here somewhere illustrating it, but basically it pushes the tire closer to the firewall mid turn and makes it rub worse.

 

Okay, I think you are winning me over on the CMC just need to find someone that knows what they are doing and need to make sure I dont screw with a manufacturer warranty. I like my 285's anyway. I am also trying to determine whether it is worth the cost to switch out my pro-comp with BDS lift. From what I have heard it is a nicer lift for Tacos. Thanks for your help!!

 

You're welcome! Good luck with it all. If you're going for a 3" lift, there are much nicer options than BDS. All depends on your budget.

 

Ok, yeah that makes sense.

Cheers

 

Ride quality was bad initially because you opted for the OEM Bilstein shocks paired with those way heavier wheels/tires. Should have gone with the Fox COs for a comfy ride plus would have gained 1-2" of ground clearance since they're height adjustable. Just my .02

 

When I was initially looking to lift my Taco, I was considering the 4inch Rough country or BDS w/ 33's. But talking w/ a mechanic buddy of mine he recommended if you're considering 4inch mine as well do the 6inch. I wasn't interested in cutting my truck up. So I just went w/ the Toytec Boss suspension and 32s. I have no rubbing issues on full lock. I'll probably stick w/ the 2-3 inch lift and 32's not as aggressive as I wanted but I am definitely happy w/ my truck now. I might upgrade to Kings later down the road. Thanks for the honest review OP. It's great insight for noobs.

Cheers.

 

I too like the looks at the BDS 4 inch lift…thank you for your opinion…the idea of a lift is also to gain little more ground clearance, and though a little larger tires….

I almost went in that direction, until I met my mechanic who I haven’t seen for a while, (he closed his shop)…We small talk, I mention the BDS 4 inch…First thing he said …Don’t do it….he knows a guy who had the BDS lift and “twice” one of the BDS parts broke while driving, almost rolling his truck…his friend who was next to him , mention that guy was lucky he didn’t get hurt…. note BDS give’s free replacement on all its parts..guaranteed!
Plus will back you up if Toyota tries to void your warranty!

I did go with another lift system….note: this is only hear say…I do believe in my mechanic…He did repairs for the commercial trucks I use, and for my own 4x4s ,10 plus years…he evening install a fuel injection system on my Dodge 4x4… He always tells me I know you want headers…Don’t do it…and I didn’t…
Today we are still friends…Aloha

Do your own research ….