New to lifts, help me out? Explain like I'm 5?

Hey all! Just got my Tacoma a week ago, am totally new to modifying autos. Know lots about modifying motorcycles, but this is all new to me. There is so much information, it's hard to take in, I've looked through tons of threads but didn't quite find what I was looking for. I'm not looking for anything crazy, 2" lift, gonna swap to the TRD Sema wheels, 17s, with 265/75 tires, and want a lift to go with it, make it more aggressive without hurting drivability.

I live in a big city, daily driver, occasionally tow a boat, and prefer good handling over ability to crawl over boulders. Light off roading I'm sure will happen, just want to make my small truck not quite so small. I have my own set of skills, and unfortunately being a good mechanic isn't one of them, so it'll probably be something I have installed (if you have any recommendations for Seattle/Tacoma area that'd be great too.

Thanks in advance!

 

I would like to learn as well. I’m not new to modifying but I would love to get a similar set up as you. Right now I have stock everything except leveling blocks and would like to change that

 

Your best bet would be to look over the suspension sub section. One of these threads start everyday and the information becomes redundant. If youre looking to order your lift in the near future, talk to marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. She'll have the best advice for you in terms of use and budget.

 

Thanks

 

^^
This

 

Full ome lift with Dakar pack. Handles much better than my dads lifted 4Runner on bilsteins. Not quite as smooth though

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-lift-faq-guide-read-this.11282/

 

If you dont really know what your doing and want something easy just get a spacer lift and be done....

 

Best bang for budget is Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts, plus an add-a-leaf (AAL) for the rear. Great quality and ride, plus lifetime warranty.

The front 5100 has three different height settings for front lift. The settings raise the lower mount for the coil, up and down the strut body to increase/decrease preload. More preload requires less "settling" from full extension to reach resting height.

The AAL is just what it sounds like. You add a leaf into your stock leaf spring pack to provide more arch which means more lift.

These are the best ways to increase lift because you are effectively stretching the suspension downward instead of spacing your truck upward. You will gain the lift in wheel travel instead of block/spacer thickness.

 

Thanks, sent her an email.

 

Welcome to the hobby of wallet draining!!

 

It all begins when the mama bear and papa bear fall in love and get married.....

 

Looool. I've got a boat, and up until recently, expensive motorcycles, it's nothing new

 

Don’t know if she gives kick backs, but she took care of me. Made me feel like we were old friends.

 

Can't go wrong with Headstrong. Marie is vary helpful and knowledgeable. Headstrong also has a wide selection for most budgets. You can also talk to Ben at Filthy Motorsports. He knows suspension and is vary helpful, but deals mostly with King's witch can be pricey. Vary good, but pricey. That being said, he also wont sell you something you don't need. I have dealt with, and bought from both companies in the past and have had great customer service from both. Personally if it was me and was just wanting something for the occasional off road adventure, I would go with a set of Bilsteins 5100 with an AAL or maybe an OME setup. Both are good.

As far as where to have the work done around Seattle. The one place that comes to mind is XO Fabrication in Enumclaw. I personally have not used them, but have heard good things. You can also look at Billy Bob's. Same thing though. Haven't personally used them before.

 

Headstrong is the only place that sells lift kits didn't you know!!

For real though they give great customer service so people really like to promote them. Very good company.

 

This is good advice.... I would also recommend Bilstein 5100s..... On my 2nd Taco with this similar set up and my reason for going this direction the first time was because I towed a boat and didn't like that I was less than an inch off the bump stops and swayed back and forth on the highway. I went the add a leaf route on my 1st Taco to save money and in the end I broke 2 leaf springs. Had enough, went to the Dakars and that was the end of the issues. The OEM leafs are junk and through my experience the add a leafs are a waste of time and money..... besides you will most likely end up going this route in the end.

*Edit* Saw later in this post it is mentioned that the Dakars squeak.... they never squeaked on my old 2005 nor do they squeak on my current 2015.

Purchased thru Toyteclifts.com ... I have no affiliation with them, just had good experiences purchasing thru them.

 

Thank you so much for your recommendation @Rayien we truly appreciate it!

 

The Dakar leaf packs WILL squeak. So be ready the embarrassment. Get dirt on/ in them and they will squeak. My stock ones never did it. But I'm living with it. Don't drive truck much because of it. Trying to figure how to stop it.