New Member and first new ride EVER:Blue 2018 DCLB Sport: Build advice please

Hi all! Hope all is well.
So I pulled the trigger and bought a new ride for the first time ever, SOOOOO Stoked.
I went with the sport because I'm using it for my daily driver as well as adventure vehicle. 90% work/daily use (lots of rough dirt road driving), 10% mild to medium use off-road (often sand/ mud), not a crawler. So no need for fancy offroad selections... not so sure about the rear locker though (could use advice on when that shit is actually used for and if I could add later if needed).
I had a choice between the sport and the OR, same price/deal off the lot. The sport was my color and had a bunch of extras: bed mat, predator steps, window tint, clear bra. so I went that way. Still questioning if it was the right choice, I liked the stance of the OR better, a wee bit taller, and think the sport hood scoop is okay, but actually silly if looks alone are the reason for it.

I've driven it the first 1,000 miles and the tranny seems to be preforming without much gear searching, but I'm light on the gas pedal.

Enough silliness and down to biz.

First "MODS" which are actually just accessories/ add-ons (are cut outs and stickers really mods?):
-Snugtop hi-sport in silver (cooler for the dog in the back and more head room for sleeping on the platform bed I'm hoping to build. I'm not a fan of all one color) with bilateral win-doors with sliders, interior LED light strip, full rear glass with auto lock keyed to FOB.
-Prinsu front and rear racks with 40" hectic light bar
-Bull bar with 20" hectic light bar (considering ARB summit for front, CBI rear with swing gate for rear in the fall depending on money and timing and more reviews.
-Double 10" subs behind back seats, because I drive a shit ton and love loud music on the open road.
I already have all the above and will install next month after an initial upcoming road trip to the southern Sierra next week. I'll post pics in a build thread starting next month.

My BIG questions:
The stance:
I'm looking to raise the truck a wee little. What I want:
Smooth HWY action, no reduction in MPG, ability to handle extra weight from the platform bed, gear, and potential bumpers, better ride (although the ride as is/ stock is pretty sweet) when I do get off road.
Suggestions? Hoping to keep it reasonably priced, don't need any crazy system/ lift, just a better stance with more clearance and better off road ride without sacrificing MPG and handling. Is there such a thing?
This is something I would do, or have done pretty quickly depending on how much the rear platform and gear weigh in at.

Thanks in advance, I've looked around online, but haven't found an answer about the best way to lift and the best lift for the rig. There's just too much info out there! Should I go BP-51? Is there a Tacoma OEM set up? Go for the OFF road suspension? Somebody PLEASE! Then lets take a vote and I'll do it and review.

Are there front and rear off road bumpers out there that are compatible with the new tech and sensors?

Anyway, this site is the best, or better than the rest I've checked out. There are some sick ass builds with some great ideas I'll try to incorporate with my rear bed/drawer build. Not going roof tent because of weight and time to set up. I need to be able to stealth camp much more often than pop a tent on the roof. I have a rocket box for the top and racks for my gear. I like the CBI rear bumper with swing gate for gas cans and cooler (prefer ice for cocktails and rarely go so far out for so long that I need a fridge, especially for the price), as well as MTN bikes or other dirty gear.

I'm babbling, sorry, just excited

-HARV

 

I suggest doing some research in here to find out what will work best for you plans
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

 

Welcome to TW. Read, read, then read some more. Just when you're sick of reading about the said Mod. comes this moment. Do I even want to do this anymore? That's when decisions & choices become clear. Good Luck, enjoy the Truck.

 

Welcome to TW! Let's start the insanity.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thanks all. And thanks dessertrunner24 for pointing me to that thread. Funny how I can search for hours and not run across/ find that thread LOL. That's exactly what I was talking about.
Soooo, even though I'm gonna keep reading and reading more before pulling the trigger, anybody willing to throw out some suggestions and rationales?
Appreciate the quick replies, look forward to becoming part of the crew. Anybody out there from Northern New Mexico? I'm in Taos.

 

The easiest way to search is to use Google. Type in the topic or what you need... like " how to install ..... tacoma" and typically tacoma world pops up. The search function in the corner searches for any matching word, so you get every post and thread with the words you used to search.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW! Dessertrunner24 got you going in the right direction. The suspension thread has some good advice in it, but advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt (even mine). It sounds like you spend a lot of time on dirt roads. Look around and do the research, there are some good companies out there but you get what you pay for. Old Man Emu, Icon, Fox and King are some of your top ones, but expensive. I ended up going with Kings with a costume valving because I was tired of killing shocks, but I spend a lot of time on gravel roads due to my job (upwards of 250 to 300 miles a week depending on where the job is). Even with the wife's approval it still took me a few months to talk my self into them. As for companies, I went through Filthy Motorsports, Ben is a great guy and will spend the better part of thirty minutes on the phone with you to find out how you use your truck. Also you cant go wrong with Headstrong and working with Marie. I've bought suspension setups from them also and was really happy with the service. Good luck with your build and look forward to seeing pictures.

 

So I have searched via the web and here as well. when I search "suspension" I get too many random hits and no filter. I try different parameters and still seemed to miss the suspension thread LOL. Sometimes it's nice to get pointed in the right direction to the best resource as many others have already done the leg work and know exactly where to send me. I might not need the help or be able to eventually figure it out on my own... but why? I like community and hope to be more able to help out at some point as well. Thanks again all

 

The procession goes.....
Blocks and spacer lift
Bilstien 5100 and up
Icon through its different stages
Fox
King
Ads
Be specific with your searches.
Btw the locker can be added to your truck if you wanted. The OR was really the way to go for any real off road functions. The sport is basically a "looks" package.
Arb air locker
Tru Trac / Detroit locker

 

Thanks JaCado, that actually helps alot. I figured the tacoma 4x4 in general would be adequate for my off road needs, I owed an 86 long ago and that thing went anywhere I wanted to take it. Though I did beat the hell out of it back then, it was bad ass, or so I thought. That's why I skipped all the 4x4 bells and whistles like crawl control. I certainly dont want to hammer my ride too much, just be able to access hard to access places. I don't necessarily go four wheelin, or want to have to carry spare axles and shit, second spare, etc LOL (but might someday. Most of my "off-roading" is likely nothing compared to most of you crazies

 

T

Then keep it simple..... bilstein 5100 shocks in the corners set the front up on the first perch to make her level. Put a Detroit locker in it.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

I'm just going to leave this right here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ads-off-road-racing-shocks-information-pictures.341630/

 

Welcome!

 

And what @JaCado posted!

 

Best Two things I did on my new Tacoma. Factory bed mat. And. Shiftsense Pro .

 

The Toyota OEM lift is called a “TRD PRO”. Looks like you have a 3rd gen so its a FOX setup.