Taco Newcomer questions

Hello my name is Adrian and I am out the the Bay Area in Florida. I plan on being new to the Taco world but I am not new to trucks or 4x4’s. I have had the original power strokes and a Suzuki samurai before.
I have used this forum for great info and research. I really want a stick shift but need the long bed for work. I would like to get the off road model. One of my first mods would be the OVT tune on the latest programmer everyone is using. Suspensions wise I would like to do 2-3 inches and run skinny 32’s and try to keep cutting to a minimum or none at all. I don’t plan on crazy off roading but I don’t ever want to get stuck hence the off road model whenever I go camping or trailer my atv/utv toys. I would like to be able to go on trail riding but not to the point where I need long travel suspension.
I am going to test drive this truck here that I found on auto trader.
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/2795201C. It’s hard to tell but it looks like it may have UCA done in top of the suspension. What do you all think for price and lift on this? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks for letting me join!

 

Looks like that already has a DB lift on it and 33s..

 

Yeah, agreeing with @drtyrtn , that truck appears to have a drop bracket lift. Not a big fan of those. They cut part of the frame out on a Taco to install these, so much tougher to go back to stock or a more quality lift.

 

Yeah I called the dealership and they say it’s a 4 inch rough country lift I believe. They tried saying it was lifted right so I asked him what extended axles they used and uca. He said he will get back to me. From what I have read, don’t go with anything rough country. I think I would go with icon or fox based on the research I have done so far. I want to avoid getting extended axles which is why I don’t want to go higher than 3 inch light and 32’s. I am not trying to do long travel right off the bat but a good mid travel setup. Thanks for the replies. I may test drive it though just tip get the feel for it. I have rode in Taco’s but never driven one, well third gen at least.

 

a drop bracket lift simply takes most of the OEM components and moves them downwards. The upper control arms look OEM. The spindle would be replaced to bridge the gap between the upper control arm, and the now LOWER, lower control arm. The front shocks would be moved lower with a large spacer lift.

Extended axles are not necessary with a drop bracket, only with Long Travel.

Also, 32s fit with no lift whatsoever.

If you like the look of the truck with the Drop Bracket, and don't plan to do any serious offroading it would be fine for you. If you do want to upgrade the suspension in the future, it will be difficult since you will need a shop that can weld in a new piece of frame when removing the drop bracket.

 

I plan on off-roading at some point but not sure if Florida has a lot of offer outside of mud holes which I want no part of in a daily driver. I know a 2.5 inch proper coil and spring lift will perform better than that 4 inch bracket lift. I want to do it the right way the first time. Maybe I will go to skinny 33’s then.

 

I think this is driving some to get TRD Sports, which can be had in 6MT ACLB, and then make some changes to attempt to offroad-ize them, sans locker and electrically-boosted braking.

Good luck with that truck.

 

Thanks. I need the crew cab though. I think I am better off going new or stock at this point and get the lift that I want. I appreciate all the replies

 

Welcome to TW! For what it’s worth, I’ve had a 4 inch D/B lift on my truck for 5 years now and have had absolutely no issues. I haven’t had to replace anything, no u-joints, wheel bearings, cv axels not even a cv axle boot. The purpose of a D/B lift is to keep all of your angles at factory specifications. I did replace the shocks with Fox 2.0 and am happy with the way it rides. I don’t do any hardcore wheeling but I do a lot of hunting and drive through a lot of fields and mud. I went with the 4 inch lift mainly for the stance, I like the way it looks and it serves my purposes well.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Well I finally got to drive my first 3rd gen. Granted it was just a base model 2 door with a little can area 2wd. I had to go to Puerto Rico for work and that’s all they had left to rent. But the truck was still nice overall considering it was the base model and 4 cylinder. I know the truck I want will drive completely different but I was impressed enough to know that I am on the right track on getting a Taco. I tell you what, Tacomas were everywhere in Puerto Rico. They definitely dominate the truck market there. I got to see all kinds while there so it was awesome to see that. I am going on vacation now but as soon I get back will be time to start shopping for my Taco!

 

As for the used on you linked to…I bought my truck brand new for about that price. Mine is a 5’ bed and MT (so not what you want) but I have 4x4 off road and the XP package. The price of used ones are often within a few hundred dollars of a new one, which is why I got new. Not really a fan of buying new but this market just dictated that for my situation. If you are at 43k on your budget, look at new. As for doing lifts and big tires on a new truck, I’m not a fan. I think it kills resale because most people don’t want your mods. I’ve seen it on this forum. Most people take it back to stock to sell. If I was off roading, I’d buy a 2009 model and do whatever to it.
Just my opinion…probably not a popular one here.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld, from SoCal!

 

Called the local dealership to find out about getting a new off-road. I am going double access short bed with MT or Auto double access with long bed auto. Must have technology package. Don’t want blue, white or black. Would prefer cement gray, desert sand or lunar but any type of gray or silver will do.

 

Welcome To TW

 

They have a blue crush metallic coming in 5 days MT. I looked at one and I do like the color so I put a deposit on it. I wish I had time to wait but I am upside down on my current car about 3k and it’s only going to get worse with the driving I do. Sounds like it will be about 52k out the door when it’s all said and done. So 49k if it was just without trade in. Does that sound about right? Looking at used with 20k miles on it I see around $40-43k. This is my first time buying brand new.

 

I pickup my blue crush metallic off road MT on Tuesday. It has the technology package, led package and got the dealer to throw in the predator running board since they wouldn’t budge on dealership fees. I saw a limited blue crush and just loved the color. It also helped looking at the blue crush metallic thread on here too. I definitely plan on blacking it out. Thanks for all the feedback and welcoming me here! Glad to finally be a part of TW.

 

Welcome to TW dude!

 

Thanks everyone. I am in love with this beauty MT beauty. I can’t wait to start modding her up.