Suspension Lift Question

That's defined as being able to sit on a bowl of ice cream and know what flavor it is.

However I'd love to hear your logic for throwing in the towel on a lift consideration and dropping a wad to move to a Tundra.

 

Is your UN Gunnery Sergeant for the Loss? LOL if so. Did you get stuck as a company gunny or something? Anyway... let me try to help you here guns...

You are lifting an IFS truck. Your Tundra comment made me scratch my head because Tundras are IFS vehicles as well so you would have the same considerations to make when lifting one of those although it is a completely different platform with pros and cons like anything.

For your Taco, since you are not going the block route (I wouldn't either) you will need...

• Front and Rear shocks that can accommodate the additional travel created by the lift
• Front Springs and a rear leaf pack to get you the height you want -- 2 - 2.5 inches of lift seems to be the sweet spot for these trucks unless you are going to go with a long travel setup or front axle swap and those are way more involved
• Upper control arms are not a must, as I have seen members run lifts on the stock UCAs but aftermarket UCAs will allow more adjustability and will be stronger in almost all cases
• An alignment immediately after the install -- schedule it now and do not drive it much between the lift install and taking it to get aligned. I have my caster angle as close to 4 degrees as I can get and I had my alignment guy max out the LCA adjusters to move the wheel as far forward as it could get into the well, then I told duder to use the UCA adjuster to fine tune the alignment only after the LCA was maxed out.

That is all you need for the lift.

I went with an OME-005 Heavy setup from Old Man Emu since I towed full time with my Taco for close to a year. When you go to select springs keep in mind you want to plan for the future so if you are going to put armor, a winch, a bed rack and roof top tent or other accessories you will want springs and leaf packs that can handle the additional static weight of your setup. Your shocks will control the dynamic weight. If you are a Gunnery Sergeant now, you probably remember those up armored hmmwvs and how they handled like an aircraft carrier. They were pigs on the road because of the weight of the up armor packages... your Taco won't feel as bad but will be similar if you weigh it down with a bunch of stuff and your springs cannot handle the additional load.

My build thread has pics of my rig. Hope this helps.

 

To me, figuring out a good lift suspension, is like trying to learn a new language. I have read numerous threads here about which is best, which are duds, buy this, don't buy that. I almost pulled the trigger on an OME kit but then read some posts about that kit having a too-stiff ride or making noise, etc.
So yes, I am a bit confused and or frustrated. I looked at new Tundra last week and they are really nice trucks and yes, they do sit higher. I don't really want to throw in the towel on my Taco but I might.

Seriously though gentlemen I do appreciate all the shared wisdom.
Have a great New Year and may God bless.

 

I had none of the problems with the Dakar leaf pack that others have reported. I bought the 2.5 in OME Heavy kit and I want to tell you get ready for a stiff ride if you have no accessories or gear. The thing rides like my 1 ton Chevy Dually. Now... load it down and it feels better than stock. I had 450 lbs of tongue weight b/c of my 3500# travel trailer and the thing was a dream - felt excellent. You just need to plan the correct setup.

Reach out to @AccuTune Offroad and consider giving them your business as they are a vendor and very active on the forum. Your questions are not unique -- pretty much all of us who have done what you want to do are starting from where you are. Get a good supplier to help narrow down your use case and give you options.

 

FWIW, I’m on stock needle bearing. Been lifted for 30k miles now and my truck does not live an easy life. Front wheels have been airborne a couple times when I was stuck in snow and trying to get out.

Currently at 60k miles

 

I'm tickling 200,000km about 70k of that has been with the lift

 

I did the same research for about a year. Had almost every kit made in a shopping cart at some point in the process.

I simplified my thought process on how I would actually use my truck. I hunt a lot in Arizona. Forest service roads suuuuuck where I go. I wanted the stock feel, but ability to tackle some harder forest service roads. Additionally, I wanted to haul my trailer with quads and equipment. But 95% of the time I am unloaded, so I did not want to add stiffer springs in rear.

I ended up with Bilstein 6112s and 5160s. I set the 6112s at 1.7" lift. I installed a 1" block in the back to get it somewhat level. Then I added Ride Rite airbags to help towing.

I have, for me, the best setup I could get for my needs IMHO. Did all of the install myself, alone, in my garage at home. Mas o menos 5.5 hrs. Rears were super easy. Fronts took a little longer because I also installed the ECGS bushing while I was in there. Got my alignment within the first week, and it was barely out on the driver's side.

Pics:

Hauling elk camp:


Out hunting unloaded:


Parking lot stance unloaded:


Gonna look good when I wear out the stock tires and go up to some tall/skinnies...

 

Stick with it Gunny. I, and probably several others are following along and have the same questions. It is very frustrating to those of us that are trying to learn. I’m not rich either, I only get one shot at trying to get it right hence the questions and valid concerns.

 

Many great explanations on this thread that take a lot of time to compose. Modifying a taco for a daily driver as well as offroad liesure, after driving heavy towing and hauling 1/2 tons for 25 years, is a different ballgame.

 

The factory suspension can handle plenty. Don't give into thinking you need a lift to play off the pavement.

Quality spacers and blocks will achieve this

Is this budget just for suspension parts? Take into account wheels/tires, and the possible need for UCA's and a solid spacer to replace the needle bearing.

What I'd do in your situation is just spend the 2k on a small spacer up front and bigger tires. That coupled with the factory locker will get you pretty far off the pavement....seat time will get you back to the pavement.

 

My best advice when I bought my Tacoma about two years ago was don't rush into doing anything and find out your needs as time goes by. Anyway, recently I went basically with the same set-up as Cushmaat. Anyway, sounds like your in the right direction and take your time.

 

OP congrats on the rig. IMO run it like it is. Start saving money for mods. Check out lift threads lots of knowledge out there. Then while you have some money saved you can put on an excellent suspension. Buy once and cry once Most of all have fun Cheers and Happy New Year

 

Also check out @AccuTune Offroad for custom tuned shocks. Won’t disappoint