Smart Dependable Lift Kit

My 2015 TRD Sport has the OEM Toyota bilstein suspension (pics). I think my heart is set on 5100's, but just in case...

I'd like to lift my Taco 2-3" in order to:
1. increase tire size
2. increase approach angle and ground clearance
3. improve ride
(not necessarily in the order)

I'm interested in smart options that are tested and reliable, rather than "opinions". It is my daily drive, but I'm planning on doing a lot more off-road in the future.

Other stipulations include:
1. proven functionality/durability (wont cause additional problems/wear)
2. wont cause issues with needle bearing, bushing, control arm etc...
3. I'd like to install myself, but I'll swallow my pride if it means avoiding "buy once, cry once"

 

Any lift mod will increase wear to those items, doubly so with increased tire size.

What’s your budget, and primary need? Someone who drives highway all week has a different need than someone who only drives their truck on weekends to go hunting.

 

5100's paired with 885 springs will give you around 2.5-2.75 depending on weight. Try to stay under away from 3" unless your willing to get aftermarket upper control arms. Even then cv joints seem to suffer from a 3" lift. For the rear if I were to do it again I'd go an aftermarket leaf pack immediately. Dakars seem to be the weapon of choice. These are my 2 cents from the research I've done. If your willing to spend the money go full coil overs front. Fox and King seem to be the best.

 

As stated above, pretty much any lift will cause excess wear to those items.
I am an avid supporter of buy once cry once. I had a 2012 taco, installed 5100s and after a while wished I would have gone with something a little nicer. I now have a 17 taco and I decided to go nice. I got the bp51 kit. No regrets. Rides much nicer than stock, and wayyyy better than the 5100s. But again, it’s all in how you plan to use the truck. If you’re mainly a highway driver, and rarely off road, 5100s might suit you just fine.

 

You'll most likely want to replace the drivers side needle bearing with the bushing from ecgs.

 

Plus 1 with the needle bearing. Get that replaced while you’re in there.

 

Great replies guys. Thanks for the advice. Has anyone used any other kits/ lift options?

As much as I’d like to be off-road every weekend, it probably will only be 10 ish times a year. But I want a suspension that can hold up on long 100-200 mile overland trips in the Colorado/NM area. I like camping and exploring and I want my truck to keep up. That said, there’s a lot of highway miles between nashville and the Rocky Mountains.

 

Total chaos +2 here... Could not be happier. If you really want the best (imo) look into them. Pricey but if your keeping your truck for a long time, and you really want proven dependability, well worth it.

 

First I did the 5100s and an AAL, but that was just a means to get the ride height up.

After more looking around I pulled the trigger on some icon coilovers and their 1.5 AAL. Very happy now! It floats over potholes and it's tight in the corners. The taco lean is cured with a couple extra turns at the left front coil..

 

Luckily there are lots of good options for the Tacoma. Coilovers offer a lot of flexibility to customize your ride and compensate future improvements. My picks are Fox and King. Probably the one item that gets mentioned the least is wheel offset. Try to avoid wheels or spacers that move the offset of the wheel too far from stock. Doing so will put a lot of added stress on steering, bearings, and suspension components. The stock wheels are hard to beat in many ways, and you can get all the tire you need on them.

 

My truck has 141K miles, 89K of that lifted....ZERO "wear problems". People who DON'T have lifts seem to over state the possible problems. Those who are familiar with various lifts don't seem to have issues with them unless they go extremely radical (relative to a basic 2-1/2" kit) . Speaks volumes.

Stay at or under 2-1/2" for best results. You CAN buy various (expensive) components to build a 3" (+) lift. Is it worth the extra? Tough call there....

I went with the tried and true Bilstien 5100's, OME 885X coils, Wheelers Superbumps, Deavers 2" AAL, AllPro U-bolt flip kit. I have full (aluminum) skids (Pelfreybilt) Aluminum plate bumper (Pelfreybilt) Warn VR12S winch, and All Pro sliders. I removed some weight, added the above, and saw a net gain of 236lbs on the front end. With that, net lift of 2-1/4". I got ideal alignment numbers with stock UCA's. The truck rides MUCH better than stock, handles like a dream, and is more than able to function WITHOUT a front sway bar. ((saves 33 lbs counting hardware)

The absence of sway bar gives more front flex, as well as not transferring shock from one wheel to the other when it hits a road bump. ie better handling/ride.

Do NOT preload coils. (Leave shocks set at "0"" )

Some rear leaf packs (oem) seem to be weak. Some are just fine. Like I said, 141,000 miles on this leaf pack, with no sag, and no problems. Just don't try to use the truck like a tri-axle dump truck.

Lift was around $800 2 years ago. Saved money for other mods... and still have a VERY respectable, functional lift.

I do off road mine. Seems to be on par with anyone else sporting 33" tires....

 

I've enjoyed my OME kit w/dakars. I daily drive with mine doing primarily highway. I do about 6-12 offroad/overland trips with my vehicle, and it's worked out great for me. The kit can also come with shocks assembled. It would run you about $1200 for that kit, and I'd suggest adding the ECGS bushing, UCAs (I went with TC), and extended rear brake lines.

 

Idk if anyone has mentioned this but talk to mari @HeadStrong Off-Road ... I’ve never used them but everyone seems to be happy with her service. From everyone they say she is very knowledgeable and will lead you in the right direction

 

BTW, that's where I got most of my lift. She's "DA MAN"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Love OME with the Dakars. No issues with my kit at all. That said, I was forced to swap the rear shocks to Billies for more travel. Be sure to add the carrier bearing drop kit and skip the diff drop kit; you won't need it. Get extended rear brake lines as mentioned above and if you are approaching 2.5" of lift or more, get UCA's. I have SPC Light Racing.

+1 for Headstrong. They have helped me reconfigure my rear setup 3 times now and I have some plans for the front (maybe)

 

Thank you for the recommendation @Jimmyboyblue and @Bluegrass Taco I truly appreciate it

 

So far @Jimmyboyblue, @Bluegrass Taco, and @geekhouse23 were spot on about @HeadStrong Off-Road. I've emailed back a forth with Marie and had a nice 20 min convo with her about my options. She goes above and beyond and I'll recommend her to everyone.

The only things I'm worried about is the "shudder" Marie mentioned that can sometimes occur at take off/15mph. She said something about "axle shims", a "center pin lengthen-er" for the leafs and "measuring pinion angles"... but I couldn't quite take notes fast enough. A little more research will probably do the trick, but any/all help is much appreciated!

So far I'm basically sold on:
- 5100's all around (@ 0") w/ OME 885's (pre-assembled)
- medium duty dakars.
- light racing UCA's.
- The bundle from headstrong comes with extended U bolts, brake extensions, and OME carrier bearing drop bracket. ($1625.99 for everything)

The only thing left is to get the ECGS bushing to replace the needle bearing.
DAD DID I DO GOOD!?

 

If you're having an install day let me know, I'd be glad to be an extra set of hands. My lift is currently sitting in the garage so I'll either have the experience from doing mine, or I'd get to learn from yours depending on timing.

 

Main reason I went with the extended travel 5100s with my dakars.