1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Selecting a mild lift (TRD Baja TX Pro + Icon AAL)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by crashnburn80, Aug 3, 2015.

  1. Aug 10, 2015 at 8:48 PM
    #21
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Yes, installed with the brake line extension bracket, that I initially overlooked.

    After 2 days on the trail and 70 miles of off-road testing, the AAL did not make contact with the OEM leaf clamps despite the close clearance. Also the driver side AAL clamp bolt never contacted the gas tank skid.

    I put the setup through its paces. First of all, high speed poorly maintained FS roads were amazing. I'd cringe when I hit some ruts/puddle holes at speed only to have the truck absorb them like they were not even there. Lower speed volcanic rock rubble were handled well, though my Jeep Wrangler with OME handled it smoother. Playing on the rocks I appreciated the better control of the slightly stiffer Baja setup. I do like the sportier street ride of the Baja vs OME being more comfort oriented, based on my Wrangler (yes, not apples to apples, but it is the direct experience I have).

    On a side note testing out A-trac I was relatively impressed. Climbs where my friends gen1 trd struggled with the rear locker engaged my truck was able to accomplish without the locker, not that A-trac didn't struggle and I thought about hitting the bailout diff lock but it pulled through without. Also tried out HDC, not as preferable IMO as a manual and 1st gear, but a good second option for us guys with an auto. The noises that A-trac and HDC make are quite concerning, but reading about that ahead of time I was prepared for the abs chaos.

    Overall very happy with the setup, but need sliders to not sweat on the rocks as much.
     
  2. Aug 10, 2015 at 10:26 PM
    #22
    Tdkrum5

    Tdkrum5 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2014
    Member:
    #135966
    Messages:
    405
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ted
    Oly, Wa/Sun City West AZ.
    Vehicle:
    14 DCSB TRD OR 4x4
    Icon Stage 5, 265/75/16 BFG AT KO2, Fuel wheels, KMFB sliders,BAMF trilogy Baja Design Squadron Sport WC
    Looks great. Are those the 17" Tundra TRD wheels?
     
  3. Aug 10, 2015 at 10:30 PM
    #23
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2015
  4. Aug 27, 2015 at 9:15 PM
    #24
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Had the chance to park next to a stock AC TRD off-road today, even in MGM. I snapped some pics for easy side by side comparison before and after Baja lift + tires.

    IMG_3704.jpg IMG_3705.jpg IMG_3707 (1).jpg IMG_3708.jpg
     
  5. Aug 28, 2015 at 1:21 AM
    #25
    littleblue81

    littleblue81 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2010
    Member:
    #48196
    Messages:
    576
    Gender:
    Male
    Nice. I did the same thing except I also added air bags and cradles for towing my boat. The suspension is really great all around, makes driving on the street much better as well.
     
  6. Aug 28, 2015 at 2:03 AM
    #26
    kingk0ng

    kingk0ng Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2015
    Member:
    #154638
    Messages:
    1,775
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    11 TRD OR AC
    just a few things.
    Nice I think I'm going to be going this route as well. Soon I hope....
     
  7. Aug 28, 2015 at 5:31 AM
    #27
    Lord Helmet

    Lord Helmet Prepare To Attack

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2012
    Member:
    #85875
    Messages:
    39,089
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Vehicle:
    '24 GX550 Overtrail+
    I like the setup including the rims, my all time favorite rims from Toyota :thumbsup:
     
  8. Aug 28, 2015 at 8:49 AM
    #28
    tacoma guy

    tacoma guy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2010
    Member:
    #39944
    Messages:
    1,756
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    Phoenix Az.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tacoma Prerunner TRD
    Bilstein 5100's on all four corners. Front set @ 0 with OME 883x coils. Alcon leaf springs. Viper Alarm. Wet Okole seat covers. WeatherTech Floor liners front and back. Oem Toyota chrome exhaust tip. ARE Shell. America Outlaw Wheels.
    Nice write up OP. Truck looks great. Thanks for the info and the pics. :thumbsup:
     
  9. Sep 17, 2015 at 5:56 AM
    #29
    mhanna77

    mhanna77 New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Member:
    #128977
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    13 DCLB 4x4
    Does the Baja come from the factory with a different leaf pack versus a stock 4x4 taco? Just trying to figure out the rear as the OEM Baja looks to sit nice and level and if I'm installing the same PTR13-35120 kit the OP installed, is AAL necessary to get the same stance as the OEM Baja...
     
  10. Sep 17, 2015 at 7:02 AM
    #30
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    13,841
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    same exact springs as the rest of em. the 3+1 leaf pack.
     
  11. Sep 17, 2015 at 10:24 AM
    #31
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Welcome to TW!

    As mentioned above, the Baja runs the stock heavier leaf pack which is 3 leafs plus the overload bar on the bottom. Some trucks only have 2 leafs plus the overload, these are known as the TSB leafs as they tend to have all sorts of issues.

    I ran the AAL in addition to my 3 leaf because I wanted to maintain the rake so when I put stuff in the bed I am not nose high (which would happen if you are level unloaded), but more importantly I felt the stock leafs were too soft. I'd sit on the tailgate and the rear end would sag a couple inches. I wanted a firmer more controlled ride.
     
  12. Sep 17, 2015 at 11:27 AM
    #32
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    13,841
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    This is my reason also for running an AAL. Keeping rake on a truck makes it still useful!

    Also as a note, any 6lug tacoma manufactured after the end of October 2014 has a 3+1 leaf pack, regardless of package or configuration.
     
    Lomez likes this.
  13. Sep 17, 2015 at 11:59 AM
    #33
    BDub

    BDub Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    Member:
    #163961
    Messages:
    1,600
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brandon
    Byrnes Mill, MO
    Vehicle:
    2015 DCSB Off-Road
    Thanks for the great information and pictures. This is exactly the route I want to take.
     
  14. Sep 18, 2015 at 7:48 AM
    #34
    NorthCountryTRD

    NorthCountryTRD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2015
    Member:
    #148058
    Messages:
    761
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Patrick
    New Hampshire
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tacoma TRD Off Road V6 Manual
    Current Mods: - Locking Lug Nuts - Weather Tech floor Liners - N-Fab light bar - 32” Led Light bar - TRD skid plate - Leer Cap (Pyrite Mica) - Rigid TSM-22 Tow Strap Shackle Mount - Rigid Orange Shackle - @ACEkraut License plate bracket - Flashwolves LED reverse bulbs - TRD Stainless Cat Back - AFE Pro Dry S drop in filter - Glove box organizer - Center Console organizer - Bed Stiffeners - Color match grille - Custom Car Grills Perf SS Mesh flat black - Thule Cap roof rails - TRD PRO Suspension - Wheelers 2" Add a Leaf - HS 1/4 inch strut spacers - SCS Ray 10's in Brushed Copper - Cooper Maxx St's 275's - Under hood Led Light Kit Future Mods (as of right now): - 20inch LED Bar (Caliraised,Rigid, Baja) - 32inch LED Bar (Caliraised,Rigid,Baja) - LED Pods Side Projecting (Caliraised, Rigid) - Toyota Bed Matt - Quick fist Axe and Shovel mounts in Truck Bed - Cap mounted Awning - 100% No Drill Bolt on sliders - Wet Oak Seat covers (All black with TRD in them) - VooDoo Bed Bars/Basket that works under a cap
    Truck looks great man really enjoyed your right up and comparison pictures. This is the route I think I want to go now as my truck is a daily driver and see's the woods every other weekend for camping. I don't do any extreme offroading. Just looking to keep or improve on my current ride and lift 2-3 inches after reading this it will be 2 inches of lift.
     
    Bajatacamo11 and 1truckdriver like this.
  15. Sep 18, 2015 at 2:51 PM
    #35
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Thanks everyone for the compliments.

    This doesn't just maintain the ride, it drastically improves the ride over stock. It rides more like a sporty car on the street rather than a pickup truck, while also feeling more controlled on the trail.
     
  16. Sep 21, 2015 at 5:59 AM
    #36
    mhanna77

    mhanna77 New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Member:
    #128977
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    13 DCLB 4x4
    My 2013 has the 3+1 rear leafs, I have ordered the Baja kit and will install it over the next few weeks and report back the stance and ride, I'm not planning any changes to the rear for now. My truck does have some extra weight in the front, so I will be interested to see how it sits.
     
  17. Sep 21, 2015 at 9:47 AM
    #37
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,562
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    How much extra weight do you have? The 650lb coils should handle increased weight nicely. I haven't driven it with the Baja kit installed and no AAL in the rear, but it would seem to me the front and rear would not be an odd balance, with significantly stiffer coils up front (550lb stock vs 650lb Baja) and no change to the rear. Although it did come from the factory that way. Depending on your front load maybe it would balance out decently.
     
  18. Sep 27, 2015 at 6:52 PM
    #38
    Dr. Jekyll

    Dr. Jekyll Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8899
    Messages:
    1,862
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jimmy
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black DCSB Limited PreRunner
    Nice write up, thank you for sharing!
     
  19. Sep 30, 2015 at 8:18 AM
    #39
    Mtnflyer

    Mtnflyer I'm big in Japan

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2015
    Member:
    #158366
    Messages:
    5,176
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Las Vegas
    Sub'd
     
    arkywally likes this.
  20. Oct 1, 2015 at 11:36 AM
    #40
    FtApache

    FtApache Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2015
    Member:
    #161475
    Messages:
    821
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 Raptor
    Did you have to install longer brake lines with this setup?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top