Need suggestions on a lift kit

Hey everyone,

I need some help on a lift kit for my 2017 Tacoma OR. I want to lift it 3 inches but I don’t know where to start. I don’t do any serious off roading so I feel as if the $1000 plus lifts are overkill. Anyone have any cheaper suggestions?

Thanks,

 

Most ppl will tell you that you get what you pay for. Cheap lifts use spacers (front) and blocks (back). These can cause issues from my understanding but if you don't carry alot of weight and keep it on pavement, will likely be your best/cheapest option.

Alternatively, you can also do a full suspension upgrade with new springs, shocks, AAL's, UCA's etc which would be the smarter albeit more expensive route

 

Your ride quality will suffer immensely from a poor quality lift. I and many others would recommend keeping the front lift at 2-2.5 inches if you are 4wd. I've heard that 3 is about the max for 4wd front lifts without a drop bracket. at 3" and above your angles are too harsh and cause premature failures. Look into Bilstein 5100's. you can either use your stock coil or go for a bigger one. For the rear either an add a leaf or full leaf pack is your best route. Blocks ruin your ride and can cause axle wrap with a big enough block. A sound quality 3" lift will for sure be over the $1000 mark. Headstrong Offroad is a great place to look around.

 

1. Ultimate Budget. Front spacers and rear blocks. It's cheap, looks good and not a completely horrible ride for a pavement princess. Don't try to go over 2.5" for a block lift... just don't do it. ~$180

2. Super Budget. Headstrong 3 leaf AAL in the rear (leave the overload spring in so you get 2.5"). 5100 extended shocks in the rear. 2" spacer for the front (sometimes called a 'leveling kit') ~$500

3. Budget. Same as above but go with 5100s in the front instead of spacers and use stock coils ~$700.

4. Inexpensive - Same as above with upgraded front coils. ~$850

5, 6, 7, 8.. we could keep going but you're above $1k now.

You'll have to confirm those prices above.. they're close but I pulled them out of my a**.

Whatever you do you should target 2"~2.5" lift.. more than that you'll need aftermarket UCAs and then you're at or over the $1k mark.

There are hundreds of folks that've shown up like yourself and asked a very similar question so the TW search tool can be helpful.

I guess it's all relative but imo 'serious' off-roading suspension solutions start over $2k before any installation costs. I'm sure there are plenty of wheelers' here that think $6k is a starting point.

 

Changing suspension affects on-road handling just as much if not more than it affects off-road handling.

Why cheap out on that?

I personally would not sacrifice the joy of driving just so maybe one or two strangers will think the truck looks cool. Especially when a mere $1000 can buy some decent shocks, and there are a decent number of options for under $2000.

Don't be that shitbox that clunks, pogos, and rattles over every seam in the road. It doesn't impress anybody if they get their teeth jarred when in the passenger seat.

I'd save up and do it right.

 

I can agree with that but many will have to learn the hard way of pogoing and clunking. The education isn't free.

 

You can get a good 2.5” to 3” all around lift for fairly cheap but not sub $1000 cheap. I did a 2.5” lift with OME leaf pack replacement, struts and new coils for about $1200. Very happy with it. Rides great and increased load capacity.

 

Looks like I will be picking up some OT to get a decent lift. Thanks everyone for the advice and help.

 

Bilstein 5100's on 2" with a 1.5" AAL is perfect in my opinion. Cheap and effective. I would not go more than 2", especially considering your usage. All you are doing is asking for problems. Even at 2" you run the risk of having to swap the needle bearing for an ECGS bushing. Plus you'll likely need to upgrade the UCA's so you can get a good alignment.

 

what coils gave you 2.5” ? 888 ?

 

2887 coils on OME 90021 Sport struts. Truthfully it’s about 2 1/4”.

 

same setup I’m running. Closer to 2” for me too

 

I 2nd the 5100s set @ 2" up front, and a 1" block in the rear.

Love it!

 

Here is a starting point... understand the suspension, then move on to lifts...

https://youtu.be/_68Hc8GtLko

 

Check out the products from Eibach. They are a well-established and trusted American company. They offer a fair amount of juice for the squeeze.

 

I went with the add a leaf instead of a block as I have a topper. Rides perfect!

 

Ya, good thinking. If my trucks box was always loaded, I would have gone to a Leaf too.

 

Eibach, JBA UCAS, swaybar delete, AAL or a whole new leafspring pack in the rear, ECGS bearing.

 

How do you like the sway bar delete for everyday driving? I am thinking of pulling mine just to see.

 

It is fine for me personally, and I like not having it. But I drive my truck lifted and slow, and baby it. My truck is also not a daily driver nowadays anymore. If you are a fast, heavy traffic, aggressive driver I would not recommend it. With the swaybar gone you get a little more body roll. I am team no sway bar though. I even removed it on my 4wheeler and saw good results. It will never go back on.