Need Lift Advice

Hey yall, while I have owned toyota trucks for most of my adult life, this is my first 4wd. I can't afford a lift just yet, but I am doing research so I know what I am getting into when I do get a lift. I could use some advice. My truck:
https://beta.photobucket.com/u/Crittermister/p/f77db208-66ff-4d26-a04f-98ac819d2bca

So, here is what I need and what I would like:

• Use: This truck is my only transportation, so it will mostly be driven on pavement, but I do want to do some non extreme off roading (I hear there is a group of TW people in my region!). I plan on moving, so it will also eventually need to tow a trailer and probably handle less well paved or non paved roads on a regular basis.
  
• Practicality: I live in a flood prone area, so clearance is a must. That means that a block lift won't work, I think, but would a level kit work to raise the front end and allow me to buy bigger tires? Also, would it be a waste of money to get a leveling kit installed if I later want to lift it?
  
• Ride: I am super impressed with the smooth ride of this truck, so I don't want to sacrifice that if possible. I don't really want a big lift, so how high can I go and still have that smooth ride plus minimal stability issues?
• Gas mileage: I want to reduce my mileage as little as possible.
  
• Stance: I am much less concerned about the stance. I already get truck envy gazes and it is all stock! It is already a gorgeous truck, so I am not interested in a drastic lift for looks or for extreme rock climbing.

What would yall suggest?

 

Bump up 1 size in tire, that'll add an inch. So that would be 265-75-16 for you.

5100s, OME 885 Springs, 1-1/2" AAL, 1/4" spacer on driver front.

 

Keep MPG out of the equation if you’re lifting. You can’t really get good MPG after lifting.

I only lifted 1” and I get 14-15.5MPG.

Also, you’re saying a block won’t work but if you can level the front? Would you achieve this via shocks or a spacer(essentially the same as a block).

It sounds like you’re happy the way it is now and don’t want to reduce any of that. Unless you want to drop some good $$$ keep it as it is.

My suggestion, keep it as it is. Very capable truck (especially the OR due to its features over the sport)and you’ll find clearance isn’t much of an issue as knowing how to drive your rig.

 

I do like it as is except for the clearance. I am a harvey victim, so I am flood shy. My home flooded, my 2009 taco did not, but I just lucked out on that. It happened to be parked on higher ground. the water came up to the undercarriage, but didn't get inside.

Would leveling it tank the mpg as much as that lift did yours, Rustytaco?

 

One other question. How big can I go on tires without a lift? Bigger tires would give me at least a little more height.

 

Sounds like you should keep it stock, which will go 95% of all places with the “lifted” trucks.

 

and thats it, all you need is right here.

 

265 75 16.
can run it stock at most might just rub front mud flap a little.

 

@rosebud just a little info for you to understand what your truck can actually do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9dyA2yXpw0
that was my truck on 265 70 17 (same overall size as a 265 75 16)

pretty much everything you see the other trucks do in that video I had to do as it was all the same trail. other than the climb you see the jeep do.

 

I'm in the same truck as you OP. I'm also stock, except on 265/75/16's. I have no rub whatsoever. A change in rubber will make the truck look infinitely better. For now, keep saving, and just get this size tire...

 

OMG, that looks like a blast! You didn't do anything to the suspension? Just bigger tires?

I want to go have fun with it this fall!

 

First of all... I cannot imagine living through a flood. I had a good friend who went through the floods in Houston last year. Gut wrenching.

Getting a lift to avoid getting flooded, I don’t know.

With respects to mpg, the lift alone will only have maybe 1/2 mpg effect if that. It is the weight of the tires that is the killer.

 

Okay yall, I think you have convinced me that I don't need a lift for OR. I think the bigger tire size might be enough to give me peace of mind about the flooding, and Joe's vid helped too! I am so stoked to have this truck!

 

It was one of the worst things I have ever been through, second only to the deaths of people I was close to. I keep lots of lizards, and had to puck some from their caves that were underwater! the house is still a mess. So honestly, it would have been awhile before I could afford a lift or a leveling kit. I think those tires will do the trick.

 

skid plates and sliders were on but otherwise just tires.



This was first trip this year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5W8M0tpJiM

Truck can do a lot more now with bigger tires and suspension but it all depends how much you want to do. The first video i posted was the same trail and I wouldn't have dared try any of the off shoots on that trail. vs now I take every off shoot but that one climb you see the jeep do in the first video.


Even then a stock truck could probably do some of these off shoots. The only difference will be how much you would hit skids, and maybe approach angle just not being enough so you wouldn't be able to.

If you want to modify go nuts its definitely fun as hell, if you look at my build thread in my signature you can see how much I've done. But anything from last year was all on 265 70 17s and a 1.5" lift in the front. 2.5" rear. Its now more lift in the front and bigger tires but regardless.
And I did a good portion of this trail no lift as well. Only difference was how much I hit skids and how 'hard' certain parts would be due to lack of suspension travel etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzR0w5SM2Rk&t=665s


Truck is more than capable with an aggressive set of 265 70 17 or 265 75 16.

 

You want minimal lift, low center of gravity and bigger tires.

https://youtu.be/JXMyZ929lpY

 

How often does it flood there? I get that MPG due to the lift but also my tires. I have E rated. 275/70/17 and my wheels are a little heavier than my stock ones. If you leveled it and kept it as is, you might see a -.5MPG I’m guessing. If you go with bigger tires though that might increase. The environment also plays a part in your elevation and what not.

 

It is flooding more and more often here. I live in Hurricane country. My house was damaged by a hurricane a few decades ago, but never flooded like this. Now just about all of the green space around me has been razzed. It will get worse here. Not sure if I will see 40+ inches of rain again, but I never would have imagined that was possible before harvey.

 

If there is a place near you that will price match on tires, check out the Falken Wildpeak 265-75-16 Standard Load. You really don't need E rated tires for what you are looking to do, and standard load tires are lighter than E rated. Shouldn't affect you much at all MPG wise.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/falken-wildpeak-a-t3w/p/26508

This is a comparison of the truck before and after tire change, pre-lift:



The difference is exactly 1 inch, going from 265-65-17 (equal to 265-70-16) to 265-70-17 (equal to 265-75-16).

 

that's what I am going to do, replace my 245's very soon and get some 5100's with 885's down the road, man I miss the north and the hills...