New to Suspension Mods and Need Help

Hey folks,
I've got a 2018 DCLB that I'm looking at upgrading the suspension on. I don't need anything super crazy as I'm just learning to drive off road. My goals are to get out with the family and do some remote camping, and multi-day trips, and things of that nature. I'm not really interested in rock crawling, or super technical stuff at this point.

I'll have a Diamondback cover on in the next month, and and a iKamper or similar hardshell RTT shortly thereafter. I want something that will give me a bit more clearance, while supporting the extra weight. I want to keep the stock wheels, but wouldn't mind bumping up tire size. This is also my daily driver.

Can you fine folks help me out in figuring out what would be the best route to take with upgrading to a task appropriate suspension and tire combo? Any help would be great.

 

What’s your total budget for a lift and tires?

 

I've got about $8k to spend on everything not including the diamondback. So, that'll have to cover the RTT, bed rails, roof rack, lights, and recovery gear. Im guessing that'll leave me with $3-4k for suspension and tires.

 

Would you be installing the lift yourself?

 

I may if I can get some help. Just kind of tough these days, distancing and all. May just have it installed, depending on final cost.

Edit to add*
I can hold off on tires for a bit. Still have life on mine.

 

I’d recommend a kit with replacement leaf springs as the stock leafs sag and bottom out easily with a bed full of gear.

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...-kit-for-2005-to-2020-tacoma-4x4-double-cabs/

https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...-5-to-3-0-for-2005-20-4x4-access-double-cabs/

Dobinsons is new to the US but have been around for many years in Australia.

The first kit above will give you the option to choose coil springs and leaf springs with different weight ratings for your specific use. This kit comes with your standard nitro shocks.

The 2nd kit has the same options for the coils and leafs, but the shocks are fully adjustable (rebound, high speed compression, and low speed compression) and have remote reservoirs. I went with this kit because of the ability to adjust the rear shock settings when loaded and unloaded for the best ride quality. They’re quite a bit more expensive though.


https://ironman4x4america.com/suspension/kits/?_bc_fsnf=1&sort=pricedesc&Make=Toyota&Model=Tacoma&Year=2019

Ironman 4x4 is another Australian company that is now building a name here in the US. They offer your standard nitro charged shock kits - stage 2 will include upper control arms. They also offer foam cell shocks - stage 2 will also include upper control arms. The foam cell shocks have threaded shock bodies that would allow you to fine tune ride height.


https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-tacoma/2016-and-up/2016-lift-kits/2-arb-ome-lift-kit-2016-toyota-tacoma/

Old Man Emu (OME) is, once again, an Australian company, but they’ve been around for a while in the US.

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-tacoma/2016-and-up/2016-lift-kits/2-arb-ome-lift-kit-2016-toyota-tacoma/

This kit has basic nitro shocks and Dakar leaf springs. The Dakar’s have mixed reviews - some say they are squeaky and prone to sagging. Just another option.


https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-hilux/2015-2018-toyota-hilux/ome-bp51-2-inch-suspension-kit-lift-kit-for-2015-2020-toyota-hilix/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA3Y-ABhCnARIsAKYDH7sqt3HcA9HNVuDTRx1ytpYwWKKIbOHNBgovi97HIJASD1K-9jtvPsYaApEjEALw_wcB

OME’s BP-51 kit has the same Dakar leafs, but the shocks have adjustable low speed and high speed compression settings.


https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-tacoma/2016-and-up/2016-lift-kits/0-2-75-lift-kit-stage-2-icon-2016-toyota-tacoma/

Icon is another brand that you’ll probably see when searching for lifts. The RXT leaf springs (full leaf pack and add-a-leaf) have good reviews for ride quality and weight capacity. All icon shocks have digressive valving, which can be explained in the article below:

https://accutuneoffroad.com/article...INPIXzsTgvuyeBaYXCo3a2biNiY3WcysaAr_LEALw_wcB

 

Other brands to consider:

Fox, King, ADS, Elka, and Radflo. These are all good brands and very high quality, but can be very expensive.

 

You are a Saint! Looks like I've got some reading ahead of me.

 

One other thing to consider is that you’ll need aftermarket upper control arms if you lift above 2.5” so you can get within alignment specs.

 

Thanks again for your help on this. I think I've narrowed it down a bit to the OME BP51 Kit or the Dobsinsons MRA Lift Kit. Seems that they are very similar in specs when the extra parts are added to the Dobsinsons, with about a $400 difference in price. Other than the difference in cost, do you see any reason to choose one over the other? It really isn't easy to get an apples to apples comparison for all of these.

 

Give Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road a call, let her know what your interested in doing, your cc number and she’ll get you set up.
I’ve got the Ironman Foam Cell pro and really like it, even if it’s a little stiff. Got the stage 1 but picked different UCAs (bought from HeadStrong). I liked it since it came with new leaf packs and some other perks. Unfortunately HeadStrong does not sell Ironman but virtually every other kit you might be looking into or components.
Here is the thread for the Ironman lifts.

 

Damnit! Now I've got another option to look at. These don't look adjustable though. The truck is my daily driver, and won't be loaded with a bed rack or RTT unless I'm heading out with the family. I'd like the ability to adjust the ride for my normal highway driving and my weighed down camping trip/off-road driving. Will definitely hit up Marie though, thanks.

 

another 15 series, I am a U. Glad you found this place. If you want to save some money, you could always go with the Bilstein 5100, or 5160. For the rear you might also consider heavier leaf springs to accommodate all that extra weight. Icon makes a great leaf back, you can add or remove a leaf to adjust to your needs.

 

Very cool. Don't bump into many others around. Started when it was 67 series on the UH1. Had some fun in a 47 north of Tikrit too!

Thanks for the info. I'll check them out.

 

plenty of hookers around, but we are like gorillas in the mist most times.

 

Happy to help add to confusion! The Foam cells are adjustable the nitrogen’s are not.

Here’s a pic of it installed with about 3” of lift on mine. The pic is with the OEM UCA and oem wheels/tires. I have BR6 wheels and 255/85/16s on now.

 

That looks really good, and it one of the tire sizes that I'm looking at down the road. How do you like them? Did you have do the CMC?

 

So far I like them and didn’t need to do cmc and have not gotten it to rub on anything yet. I don’t have many miles on them yet, just threw those on over the weekend.

 

Thanks for the pic. They look great on there.

 

Thanks. Plenty of choices for lifts to look at. Each brand has its own thread here as well. Read through them and see what fits what you want best. Good luck!