Spacer lift kit, 3/2 vs 2/1

Sooo, just purchased my 2023 taco, which is the 4th I’ve owned. My previous 08 model I installed the 2 front 1 rear lift purchased from eBay, A little bouncy, but I got used to it. I was looking to do the same to this one but almost every kit I find is a 3f-2rear lift. I don’t want to change the upper arms or shocks, just giving it a bit more aggressive look. Yes, I have combed through the forums and read everyone’s comments on the 3/2 about needing dif drop, shocks, uca and sway extensions which is more $$ than I want to spend. Does anyone know why there are more 3/2 lifts listed than the 2/1 ? It’s like 90% 3/2, 10% 2/1, Am I missing something ? I prefer to do the 3/2 just don’t wanna change a bunch of stuff out,
Thanks

 

I can’t answer your question, but I can say that a 1.5” top hat spacer giving 3” of lift sounds like a bad idea. You won’t have any down travel and you might risk bottoming out the shock during compression.

If you want a more aggressive look, have you considered a vinyl wrap? I think it makes a much larger difference in appearance. Unless a taco has a 6” drop bracket lift, I barely notice the way it looks.

 

2 and 1 ideally. 3 and 2 sits really high and has zero down travel. So it rides noticeably worse. The 2 and 1 rides closer to factory.

3 and 2 always needs the differential bushing where the 2 and 1 is 50/50 (read up on the ecgs bushing)

Dont install the front diff drop even if it comes with the kit. They are not worth installing.

 

You can use the 2/1 spacer from the 2nd gen Tacoma….same suspension.

as far as the diff drop…don’t use it. Useless. It doesn’t do anything for the axle angles and just drops the diff so it will give you problems with your skid plates. It will rest on the skid plate, or won’t allow you to install the skid plate due to the diff being too low.

 

i vote 2/1 if you're doing spacers. I doubt I'd worry too much about brand... it's a spacer...

No need for Diff Drop.

Definitely agreeing with @Bishop84 on this, and on the ECGS bushing. I made it a long time without needing the ECGS bushing, but that was with no lift. That extra wear is gonna cut that time frame drastically.

 

I voted NO SPACER LIFT. Get yourself an awesome 2/1" Bilstein 5100 lift and enjoy the non bouncy ride and reliability.

 

Dime store lift on a $40k truck.

 

Get a real lift. If you have the money to buy a nice truck, buy nice suspension

 

Appreciate all the input on this topic everyone has offered, I was looking for second opinions an I got lots, many thanks to you who took time to write me,

 

If your going for the look then go for the look and get the 3/2. The 2/1 type of stuff is usually because of suspension and equipment upgrades. What we call upgrades anyways, more Offroad oriented.

 

Just here to give extra votes on the ECGS carrier bearing ABSOLUTE MUST

 

If you plan to off-road etc. get a nice suspension. If it is going to be used like a soccer Mom then spacer lift

 

This is what I did last year on my truck and I am very happy with it, also do the ECGS bearing.

 

Yea, no off roading, looks only,

 

Your fine

 

Look at your local marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist. Lots of people sell lifts for cheap.
Got my 6112-5160 set up for $500

 

Welcome to TW, I’d recommend reaching out to @memario1214 about a 5100 kit.
There is nothing wrong with the spacer lift, I had one on my 2006 and no issues but for a little more you can get new shocks and struts that might ride a little better than the stock. It should cut down on the brake and turn dips too.

 

Pic looks like you have a TRD Sport, maybe look into the preload collar lift from Wescott, which rides much better than a full spacer only lift since it is similar to a longer spring. It includes a small spacer option for the front as well, so if you don't want as much lift on the front or worry about lifting it too much you can leave the spacer out and do the preload collar only.

https://westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-tacoma-trd-sport-preload-collar-lift-kit/

 

I did a 2/2 lift and nobody even notices (nobody does a non-leveling lift?). They notice the 33" tires when I run them, I notice that I hit my head on the ceiling door jam when I lean into the cab the day after I switch back to my 29" street tires.

 

Keep in mind, Ride quality suffers on road too. It's stiff ride instead of a cushy ride.

Your call, but for a $40k vehicle, it sounds senseless to cheap out on ride quality.