Suspension Lift Question

Let me start out by saying that I don't know squat about truck suspensions.
I know this has been covered here ad nauseam, and I have read many threads on the subject. That said though, I still have questions for the pros.
I currently have a '23 TRD OR and want to raise the suspension about 2.5 to 3 inches. I don't plan a lot of severe off-roading but would like the truck to be able to handle some rough country should the need arise. I also plan to add a larger size tire when the time comes for new ones.
Honestly, the main reason I want it raised is because I like the look of those I've seen. Maybe it's because I'm a short guy so I'm sure Freud would have something to say about that (but I digress).

I want a good kit, not just spacers. My budget for parts is 2K. I'll worry about labor costs later.

I assume I will need the following parts:

- Bilstein or Fox shocks. Front and rear.
- Leaf springs (Brand or strength Suggestions)
- Coil Springs -?
- Upper control arms (Are they all the same or are some brands/types better than others?)

What other parts do I need to do the job right? I have found a Shop that does good work to handle the conversion.

Appreciate the knowledge bump.

 

Rather than just say XYZ suspension, I think education is best. Tinker's Adventure is probably the best with regards to increasing your knowledge.
Tinkerer's Adventure - YouTube

His videos are great. Provided that you are looking for a real solution and not justification for what you want to do. Higher lift typically = higher issue potential and lower life.

 

Lift does not raise the low point, the axle line. Only tire dia does that.

Lift does increase approach and departure angles some. Could matter in certain terrains.

2 - 2.5" keeps less drive line stress.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-tacoma-lift-guide.509171/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_68Hc8GtLko&t=297s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1tTelhdEiM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huMztKaHsUE&t=9s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAYGdcKSA3o

 

Then just use lift blocks

Not trying to be rude, but any discussion of "what is better or what is good" is entirely dependent on what you're going to use the truck for.

If you JUST want the look, blocks will get you there. You don't need Fox or Kings, you don't need to drop $2k

If you want to get into some "offroading" then step one is to simply get out there and get a feel for it. Get some good tires and upgrade the suspension as needed. You won't truly know what you need to buy until you get some seat time and learn more about your truck

I swear people say "I've done a bunch of research" and then end up asking the same old questions about Bilstiens and UCAs

 

Agree 100%

 

Look into Westscott Design TRD Off-road lift. It's close to 3 inches in the front and you can do a simple 2 inch block in the rear.

 

IMHO this is the best answer - I just started "wheeling" in April 2023 - did lots of beach driving in our Subaru Outback but that is not really an off road vehicle although some folks actually go off road in them. I got a Taco Off Road in Jan of 23 and started asking the same kind of questions the OP is asking. The best advice I got was from the an HVAC tech that showed up in a lifted Taco to work on our heat pump. He said what bro said " get some seat time and learn more about your truck." The other thing he said was ditch the P-steps and to protect your truck and get rock sliders - that was it. I decided on my own to start protecting my truck first while driving the easy and intermediate trails so I replaced P-steps and put on sliders and replaced the stock flimsy engine skid plate with a steel skid plate and bought a used RCI transmission skid plate, had a exhaust reroute to get rid of the low hanging exhaust and plan on getting a flat RCI transfer case skid. I went with 32s (KO2s) on my stock rims. And almost every weekend went to Uhwarrie and rode the trails (but not the Ds - the really difficult ones) on my stock suspension Taco Off Road - and I learned a lot and met some really great people.

See where I am going here - in short I protected the truck and did what bro said and just got out there and got seat time. Over the winter before the trails open up again I am going to lift it and put on bigger tires. And yes it was very confusing and there was information overload not to mention everyone has an opinion on what suspension and tires are best i.e. "KO2s suck - KO2s are the greatest tire ever etc." You just have to do your own research and talk to people then make your own decision. I will never be going to MOAB or be doing any rock crawling, I am not into over landing to go camping (I did enough of that for 26 years in the Army). Plus I am not rich so I have to put all that into the decision making process. Everybody's inputs are different that is why no one can really give you and answer - you have to figure this one out on your own.

 

Look at something like the eibach pro stage 1 kit. Huge thread about it on here to learn all about it.

For your needs stick with a 2” lift, you won’t need upper control arms, you don’t need leaf springs unless you are adding a ton of weight.

The eibach kit has your shocks, a lift coil that will bring your to 2”, and add in a 1-1.5” block for the rear.

That’s what I did on my first Tacoma, added some 33” tires on a 0 offset wheel and I was set.

 

Thanks but I'm not going to use lift blocks. I want a good solid off-road set-up. I will do some hunting next year so there might be a need for higher clearance. I'll just do some more research and figure it out then.
Appreciate the replies.

 

Great, honest, straightforward last answer.
5 months ago when I started modding my first taco, I had 1,000 thoughts and concerns. I appreciated doing it over time.
If it had to be done in a day for some crazy reason, for street use and maintained backroads, and keep a low budget, mount 32" AT tires on your stock wheels, add hubcentric 1" wheel spacers to get back to zero offset, put on Bilstein 5100 adjustable ride height shocks for front lift, preload the stock coilsprings with the circlip adjustor, and add 1-1.5" raising blocks to the rear.
All could be done in a single day and would fit.

 

You don’t need to modify a taco to go hunting (unless you are going to the African savana). It will do just fine. If aesthetics are the primary goal, spacers/blocks are the best option IMHO. Don’t give in to peer pressure nonsense.

Also I suggest you educate yourself with the links I posted and then come back with more sophisticated questions.

 

Blocks are cheap, spacers are cheap. Bilstein 5100 are quality value for basic lift. All give a chance to evaluate sizing, interaction, and use over time.
$1,000 coilovers, $500 springs, four $300 Method wheels, four $300 E load offroad tires, etc. better all be the right fit together the first time.
That doesn't even include $2k in skids and rock sliders for serious offroad.

 

I would not do more than 2”. When lifting, IFS suspensions lose downtravel fast and it’s hard on suspension/drivetrain components.

I’m running 2887 OME coils, soft valved nitro charger OME shocks and dobinsons medium rear leafs (OME dakars tend to squeak). 2” lift. Stock UCAs.

Absolutely love this set up except that I’ve only got 2 1/4” of downtravel and can feel my front suspension top out at times. Extended travel shocks would give you another 3/4” max.

 

2" max on these trucks down travel is stupidly important to ride quality and offroad performance.
Things no one is talking about in here is the needle bearing in the front diff that should be addressed. I developed an intermittent vibration which was caused by that bearing.
There is also angled shims or drive shaft spacers that should be used to ease the driveline angles.
Then you mention bigger tires, this all plays into this aswell. Are you looking at a 265,285,305 full 35 or a wide 33. These are important things to keep in mind as those goals play into the choice with wheels, uca's if your going to need a chop if you need bump stops etc....
Other thing is what kind of future build do you have in mind that plays into the choice on spring rates. Do you want a full bumper do you tow or haul lots of gear on hunting trips.

 

Got a lot of reading to do. I'm seriously starting to think I should just trade for a Tundra 4x4.

 

Weak the logic is with this one.

 

Thanks for the help smartass.

 

Why? If you go that route and decide you want a lift and bigger tires pretty much everything still applies. The only reason to make that jump is if your towing and need more payload and overall room

 

1/2 tons are boring tanks