Okay... do I really need a lift?

If you have to ask, you don’t need it.

 

Baja Series...

 

I would love a lift, but do almost zero off road, I see so many cool lifts on this site, but I save the $$ and put it into aesthetic mods like TRD red aluminum valve stem covers.... they add horse power and mpg's. ...it's a win, win...!!

 

Longbeds with a nice lift are very nice looking, so yeah you need it

 

Honestly, you don't need it especially if you stay on road but it is your truck and you should figure out what is best for you. I drove a 2nd gen for 5 years on the stock off road suspension and then 2 years stock on my 3rd gen. Decided on the lift because I wanted it to ride differently, handle the added weight of armor and gear better, look better imo, and be prepared for heavier off-roading upcoming. The stock suspension is perfectly fine for some off roading and drives pretty well on road.

 

Ever think about going skinny? I don’t run them but i know the 255/75/16 or 255/70/17 are very popular for Tacoma’s. They fill the wheel well nicely and don’t rub as much or stick out far. They won’t hurt your mpg as bad as a beefier tire. Might be something to consider. Again, I’m not running them. I have 285/70/17. But just a thought

 

Yes but only lift the front

 

squating taco..hidden dragon

 

I have but 255's seem to be pretty heavy as well, since they're pretty much all e-rated. Adding rotational mass just goes against my goal. Now that I'm lifted, I kind of envy the Tacomas I see that are stock height or maybe 1 inch lifted with a little negative offset on the wheels and 265 tires. Would pretty much get me as close to factory as possible while also looking more aggressive than factory.

I don't think mine looks bad, I just think the wheel well gap is too much and the whole aesthetic would be slightly nicer with it lowered a bit. But also, I'm a sucker for fancy suspension and basically 99% of suspension upgrades are meant for big lifts. Even Accutune told me they can't recommend anyone running Fox adjustable struts at less than 2.5" lift even though they say "0 to 3 inches". Dobinsons claims their struts are perfectly fine at stock height, so I'm curious to find out since seemingly nobody has done it.

 

NC BANNED?

https://youtu.be/ZqoucBi9cGM

 

I have the same truck and debated the lift……still do. Ended up mounting Soumo Shocks in the rear because I tow a camper from time to time and wanted to avoid the squat.
Turns out there is 1” play in the rear springs until the Soumo takes effect, so it limits body lean in hard cornering. Not that I hard corner a lot, but it handles a little better.
Took a 1k mile trip last weekend, mostly highway, and got 24 mpg.

Oh, I’m over 50 so I don’t care to impress anyone anymore. YMMV!

 

Food for thought;

My property is just off of a BLM road here in Southern Utah that cuts across The Staircase. We have to drive about 12-13 miles on this dirt road to get to our house.

Every day when the weather is nice and the roads are dry I see fully geared 4x4 rigs go by….mainly tacos and wranglers…with all sorts of lights, shovels, gear and Jerry cans….oh..and fancy lifts.

My closest neighbor is in his 70s and his wife drives that same road - every dry day - in her 2005 camry. When things are wet or a little snowy , they hop into their 2002 outback.

In other words, you probably don’t need the lift.

 

If you are going to lift it, make sure you upgrade the suspension. Rides same as stock sounds good and that is the way I went to start with. Later I added a few things and had to upgrade the suspension. If you upgrade the suspension you get a better ride down the highway. Especially if you are paying someone for the installation, make sure your actually upgrading the suspension. Youtube it and google it and etc. More threads on here than you can shake a stick at about different lifts for your tacoma.

 

Yep, i have a 2020 access cab all stock. It does just fine for every road condition i've encountered here. I live a couple miles off the main road on a not so well maintained dirt road that gets pretty nasty in winter and spring. I've gotten my 4wd tundra once stuck on this road. I'm amazed how well the tacoma handles it even in 2wd. They do not need a lift unless your into serious off-roading.

 

This is the most learning I’ve had in years. Thanks for the share.

 

You absolutely do not "need" a lift. But if you want one Buy once, Cry once, you will be happier in the long run.

 

I mean, my 2nd Gen was stock and did fine. I only upgraded bc I ripped a plastic bumper and got a little scaring on the strike plate. My '84 had a 3" and was just about as perfect as it gets.

Just picked up my '21 Pro and it was dropped off today to have the Westcott 1.5 and Icon AAL's added. With the stock 1", the 1,5" and the new tires adding an inch, it should work out.

But it's 1/2 function (big sharp rocks in AZ) and 1/2 bc I like the aesthetic. Just think about where you will be going, maybe take it out stock and see if there are any "no's" or close ones. If there are, lift it. If you like the look, lift it. If neither apply, just enjoy the truck. My .02.

 

did you know that the company "custom offsets" does not and can not make a set of wheels with custom offsets? sorta defeats the purpose if you ask me.

 

I thought they could if you went with a custom 3 piece setup for mega money?