Suspension question for a total noob

Hi, first off I know there’s probably a lot of posts but I’m having a hard time understanding and relating to what I’m looking at.

I have a 2018 trd off road, that I’d like to upgrade the wheel’s, tires, and suspension. Well I contacted a local shop and they told me that they recommend rough country due to the warranty guard, which is actually important to me because I did buy the 10 year powertrain.

Rough country has a very affordable 3.5 inch lift kit I’m very interested in. However I’ve been watching overlanding and Tacoma expo videos and what not, and started to do a bit of research and don’t know if the rough country is good or not. I would like to eventually like to overland, and I would eventually like to pick up new front and rear bumper, as well as maybe eventually getting a bed rack and and tent for it.

I figured I should really be going with a medium load kit to future proof it. The rough country kit doesn’t say anything I saw about load size, is it meant just for stock weight? What would you guys recommend for under 2k?

Are reservoir’s worth it? Should I save longer and buy a kit with them? I’m not in a situation where I can drop a ton of money but I’d rather save longer and buy the right thing first instead of having to go back.

I know I want leaf kit and no spacers and I’m willing to pay what I need to, to get it right. I see on YouTube videos everyone has the king set or the fox set, which they understandably have the best of the best, but is the mid tier that much different?

 

Do wheels and tires first and then determine what an upgraded suspension will be used for.

lifts over 3” tend to cause some problems in Tacomas unless done a certain way.

check out the bilstein 6112/5160 package, reservoirs in the rear and an affordable upgrade

 

Rough country has a reputation for being cheap, low quality and rides like shit.

For 2k id recommend old man emu full set up with medium duty leaf pack

3.5 inch lift will wear out your CV’s because the angle will cause the fins on the boots to touch, keep it under 2.5 inches in the front.

some respected brands for tacoma shocks are Bilstein, old man emu, dobinson, then more expensive: fox, ads, elk, king

 

welcome aboard

 

I second what the two above me have said,

6112/5160's is a solid setup, a bit stiff but solid long term and stout.

The other kit, the OME with a rear leaf is also amazing.

I would suggest you do some reading on both of those setups and see what fits your fancy better.

The high end kits, Fox, King and ADS are going to be the cats meow and truly amazing if you are pushing your truck hard. They are considered servicable sets, so they will require more maintenance more often depending on how hard you push your truck. According to Tyler at ADS, adding the resivore will amost double the life span of the shock setup.

I'm with you 100% I didnt want to drop a ton of money on my truck suspension, but didn't want to ghetto rig it, and didnt want to do it twice. Here is two links with great setups.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s..._Kit_with_OME_Dakar_Leaf_Pack_(HS16BK-3).html

I'd add a aftermarket upper control arm on either one of these sets if you start approaching `2" OF LIFT.

 

First thing I did was upsize to some awesome 265/75/16 Duratracs and drove it like that for a couple of years. Gained approx 1/2" ground clearance from the diffs.

This year I added a 2/1" lift, and have been stocked of how lifted it looks, yet still drives like stock.

 

Rough Country NO!!!!

 

Read that Warranty Guard document carefully:

"This Limited Warranty is null and void after the earliest to occur of (a) the Vehicle having been in-service for five (5) years (measured by the Vehicle’s original in-service date); (b) the Vehicle having been operated for 100,000 miles, or (c) expiration of the Vehicle’s original manufacturer’s warranty. In order to make a claim under this Limited Warranty, written documentation must be provided by the Vehicle’s authorized repair facility to Rough Country that damage was caused by, and claim was denied due to, installation of a Rough Country suspension system."

It appears that the longest the Warranty Guard will last is 5 years from the original in-service date of the vehicle (you can look this date up by VIN if you don't know it), 100,000 miles, or the gotcha, when the vehicle's original warranty expires (not your extended warranty). It's meant to be supplemental coverage, meaning you have to be denied a Toyota warranty repair claim because of the installation of the Rough Country equipment, and you have to provide documentation of them turning it down. I'm sure they guy trying to sell you the Rough Country lift played it up, but it's not as great as it sounds.

 

Watch this
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFl907chpCa4URRJFT8a1-RXvCTPmXVhD