Suspension Questions. Still confused

I would like to do a 3 in. lift on my truck. I have done some research and came across another thread posted on here. Here is the link: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/11282-tacoma-lift-faq-guide-read.html

I asked my coworker (who is really into off-roading) what he thought about it. He said to stay away from body lifts which I already knew. He also said to avoid blocks and spacers or cranking the torsion bars as they can cause problems down the road. I would like get some nice coilovers in front and AAL's for the rear. I do not want to go cheap but at the same time I don't want to spend my life savings on a new suspension.
So my first question is: What is the best bang for my buck? I want quality parts, no junk. I'm willing to hold off a bit longer to save up the extra money if necessary. What brands are good? What should I avoid?

My coworker also mentioned that I may need to extend the drivetrain. Does that sound right? What other parts would I have to change? UCAs, LCAs? I do not know much about suspension lifts. Any info helps!

Another question. I could probably find this if I searched the forums but i may as well throw it in here. What tire sizes do you guys suggest with a 3 in. lift? She's my daily driver but I would also like to get into some off-roading. I went up to Evan's Creek on Saturday and had a great time. I stayed on the service roads but there was still some mud and snow..

 

sounds like your a good candidate for the Bilstein 6112 front shocks set at 2.5in of lift, some Lightracing upper control arms for the front.

In the rear your choice of something like an icon stage 1 rear shock or Bilstein 5160 and a 2in AAL.

 

So I don't have much knowledge on this subject. Why not have the same shocks all around? I don't know if I just interpreted it wrong but I read that you are supposed to leave the struts at the lowest setting and that the coils give you all the lift.

Also what is the benefit of the aftermarket UCA? What is the difference between that and the stock one? Is to fix the alignment?

 

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/headstrong-kits-tacoma-05-6-lug.html

Thats what i just installed. It's perfect for what i need my truck to do. I also am still rockin stock UCA's, no issues with alignment. As for tires, i am planning on going to 285/70/17s. Here is a pick of my truck

 

What coils did you wind up going with?

 

Interesting that you had to go from a LHD to a RHD in order to install your lift

 

Would like to know this also. What setting did you set the shocks on 0 or .85?

 

OP I'm also in the same boat as you... I'm looking into the toytec 3" suspension lift on bilsteins 5100 with aal. Check it out on there website

 

Yeah seriously two totally different trucks. Wtf.

 

Haha i know, the pic is flipped but i went with 885x coils and the billys set at 0 (came out to be 2.5 inches in the front). My goal was to be as level as possible

 

Ok, I am fascinated. Not by the flipped photo, but it seems you have done exactly what I was thinking. I just purchased some 5100s with a Deaver aal for my access cab. The seller said about 1 to 1.5 inch lift in the back. What did you run in the back? I was on the fence on how to get the front up. So you went 6112s in the fron with 885 springs with NO FRONT END ISSUES? You are running all stock upper and lower arms?
YoyYour truck looks like it is a wee bit high for my wife. Are are on the max setting on the front shock/spring setting or is there room to go down a bit.

Anyone with any subsuggestions on how to go the front up would be appreciated.

By the way, the truck is a daily driver. We LOVE how the truck drives on the street and do not want to risk losing the plush ride so if you have experience with this set up, please let me know.

Thanks

 

He got the coils to get the lift vs having to preload the factory coils just using the adjustable shocks. The lift achieved from the coils depends on the truck, for example if you have a double 4x4 V6 most get approx. 3" with the 887, 2.5" with the 885 and 1.5-2" with the 884 coils. With an access cab you will end up a little higher since there’s less weight.

The shocks he's running is the Bilstein 5100 shocks not the 6112s, those don't work with the OME coils.

With this set-up you might need aftermarket UCAs depending on the lift height, but there shouldn't be any issues as long as you keep it at or under 3", preferably under 3". 2” or less is ideal though.

 

Check out Toytecs complete lift kits. Al ot of Tacomaworlders go there. Thats where I got mine from for my old truck.
I had this kit which gave me about 2 inch lift...Bilstein 5100s, Eibach Coils, and rear AAL:
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Bilstein-Adjustable-lift-kit-with-5100-shocks_p_132.html

Alot of guys run the OME lift and i have heard nothing but good things about it. 3 inch lift:
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/OME-Tacoma-Suspension-lift-kit_p_231.html

There is so many threads about these 2 types of lifts its not even funny. Check em out.

 

Another user private messaged me about the Bilstein 5100s w/ Eibach/toytec with a rear AAL. I talked to my coworker about it and he said that it is a good setup. He also said that I may have to extend the drive line too. Is that correct? And the diff drop kit?

Also, I accidentally put this in 2nd gen Tacomas. I have a first gen. Sorry about that.

 

What he said!