Newbie suspension question

New to tacomas. I have a stock 2016 TRD Sport. Eventually I would like to do a small lift. I’m thinking 2” front and 1.5-2” rear. I’d like to do new shocks and coils that are better on light trails than the sport shocks. What other components would I need to achieve this lift height? Rear blocks? Anything else in the front?

 

If you're only doing 2 in the front, you would probably be good without any lift in the rear. Our trucks sit high in the rear from the factory. But, yes lift blocks would be the cheapest solutions. An add a leaf would also be a cost effective option too, just a little more work.

 

Do a lot of research on here. If offroading, you don't want blocks. You will want new leaf packs or Add a Leaf's. 2" front and rear is a pretty big lift honestly...it will make the truck even more capable. You may want to look in to upper control arms too.

 

Thanks for the replies. 2” front 1” rear may be a better option. I don’t do much off roading, mainly just bumpy trails but nothing that flexes the suspension too much. I was hoping to avoid new control arms and stuff like that but I’m not sure what the limits are.

 

The limits are the alignments you can achieve with the LCA alone. 2" you should be fine with stock. The rear axle will wrap pretty bad on a block. 1" might be okay but an AAL would be better.

 

Makes sense. If I were to do a 1-1.5” AAL with stock shocks I would just lose that amount in suspension travel, correct?

 

No, you have the same travel...just less down travel and more up travel when sitting static.

 

Absolutely no need for aftermarket UCAs if going with 1.5"-2" lift.

Unless one is planning to run 285s or 315s and need the additional alignment adjustment to prevent rubbing.

 

If i was to do it again, I would only do extended travel shocks in front.

Otherwise with a 1.5"-2" lift and stock length shocks, you will only end up with 2.5" downtravel max.

I've got stock length OME nitrochargers shocks in front and 1.75" front lift. I only have 2.25" down travel. Not a deal breaker for me that's why I've been driving like this for about 3 years. I do feel my shocks top out at speed bumps/potholes at times.

Also keep in mind you might need a 3 degree shim for rear axle to prevent vibrations and to correct it to stock angle. Its hit or miss on these trucks though, I had to get one installed right under my rear leafs.

 

Which is why I said to look at. Not required at all. And high caster UCA’s make it HARDER to fit bigger tires as they push the top of the spindle backwards and the tire closer to the cab mount. The high caster is more for ease of driving.

 

I did a 2/2 on my 18 sport 6112/5160 with icon springs stage 2 in rear. But I carried weight and towed. If you don't you can get away with 3leaf add a leaf.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have another question. I've seen quite a few people in groups with the Bilstein 1500 2" front/1" rear lift/leveling kit. Height is adjustable and it has the shocks and new front coils. It seems like a good option for around $800 for a 2/1 level. May be a dumb question, but with new shocks and coils for a 2/1 lift, what else would i need to do to safely level the truck? Are new control arms necessary? And is anything else needed in the rear in addition to 1" taller shocks? I have 265/70/17 ko2s. Thanks everyone.

 

No need for UCA unless you’re lifting more than 2.5” in the front. Really if you’re buying the kit it should have all the basics you need and at 1.5-2” you shouldn’t need to worry about the carrier bearing spacer either.

check out @Road_Warrior build page, he’s got a lot in there about the kit and what he’s done. Maybe it’s what you’re looking for too- https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clean-purpose-built-3rd-gen-sr5.734054/

 

Thanks, makes sense. What about the rear? I've never had a truck with leaf springs, are the 1" taller shocks all i would need with the factory leaf springs?

 

If you’re buying a kit it probably comes with blocks. You could also buy and add a leaf to have installed there.

Reach out to Colton @memario1214 about a complete kit. He runs HotshotOffroad and should be able to make sure you get everything you need.

 

Thanks for the shout out and happy to help however I can

 

You'll be slight nose high with legit 2" front lift on a 3G. Plus, the stock leafs sag over time 100%. With a 2016, they are already torched. Gen Springs HD $400/pair is cheapest pack replacement.

If I had it to do over again and budget, I'd get ICON RXT for adjustability as I add weight over time/years/flexibility in rear lift amount.