Tacoma Lift FAQ/Guide - READ THIS

The majority opinion is that new UCAs aren't needed until you get to 3" of lift in the front.

If you have the spare cash, you could pick them up and rest easy. If not, I would see how your alignment numbers look after the lift and see how the road manners are for you. If you can benefit from a UCA at that height, you'll know.

For the rear, I've been really happy with my Wheeler's Offroad 1.5" 3 leaf Progressive AAL. I left my overload spring in for a 2" lift, but it rides great and isn't too pricey at $159.

 

Once again thank you for the input. Eventually I would like to install the Total Chaos UCA's or similar for added durability but as you stated I'll see what the numbers look like after the alignment. I'll check out the Wheelers Offroad AAL's...

 

I was wondering if anyone with an OME full setup (2885s front/ Dakars rear) are running 265-75 16 tires? Haven't found a picture of this setup, wondering what the fender gap is like. Or any input on the subject?

 

There is a whole thread on 3" lifts with 265s, which is basically 885s with spacers and Dakar rears

 

Well thanks, I don't know how I missed that in my search, but I found it now.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lifted-on-265s-show-me.366397/#post-9984298

 

I would like to add a lift kit on my 2015 DC 4x4 TRD SPORT, after reading all the threads on here and from other places, I am wondering if the one that I found on http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/FOX-Ultimate-suspension-for-05-Tacoma_p_1226.html is a good choice or not. I understand that the suspension on the TRD Sport is different than the one on the TRD Off Road. I would also like to add a 2" lift to the front and an 1" lift on the back just to level it out.

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated.

 

I am doing the same thing on my 2015 TRD Off Road for about half the price of the Fox. I'm using the new very stout Bilstein 6112 Shocks/Springs in Front (Adjustable up to 2.5" of lift) and Bilstein 5160 w/ Remote Reservoirs in the rear with a 1" add-a-leaf and Icon Upper Control Arms. I'll summarize the price minus any labor for install.

6112 - $649.00 (Downsouth Motorsports out of San Diego)
5160 - $364.00 (for the pair off of E-Bay)
Add-A-Leaf - 150.00
Icon Tubular UAC's - 650.00


I would highly recommend checking out the 6112's. Hope this is helpful.

I will be running this suspension with original BFG KO 265-75-16's

 

Well there always this too
http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/headstrong-kits-tacoma-05-6-lug.html

Basically the same kit (scroll down for 6112/5160 kit) minus the Icon arms which you really shouldn't need since the COs are not extended travel and you probably won't end up over 3".

 

I need a little clarification, and believe me, I have done a lot of reading prior to this...

I'm doing Bilstein 5100 w/ OME 885's up front for ~2.5"
I have rear TSB leafs, but will need probably a 1-1.5" aal to level with the front (currently level with 5100 @1.75" and stock springs, TSB rear)

My question is: will I need to replace the rear stock struts with the TSB + aal? I bought the truck with the TSB, so not sure exactly how much total lift the rear will be (a lot of conflicting information on this).

 

Well no change was needed with the factory shocks due to the addition of the TBS since the TBS requires very little additional extended length out of the shocks, much like adding an AAL.

Unless you try to truly understand what's going on with the addition of an AAL and instead only form an answer that a 1.5" AAL requires a shock thats good for 1.5" of lift (what most do), you'll never get it. This is why a lot of misinformation is passed on, people just don't understand what's going on and instead go off of product descriptions.

When you add an AAL keep in mind, unlike blocks, the lift is obtained by reinforcing the existing leafs. An AAL does not magically give your pack additional droop and they only increase the packs thickness by a whopping 1/4" (approx.). So with this is mind the shock only needs to travel that extra 1/4" and does NOT need to be 1.5" longer like most think.

 

Thanks for the info Mr. Salty. I'm still confused though. My understanding is that both 1.5" blocks and 1.5" add-a-leaf kits increase the distance between the frame and the axle by 1.5". Since the rear struts are attached to the frame and axle, they must accommodate that 1.5" of increased separation. Excuse my skepticism, I am admittedly new to suspension upgrades, but I fail to see how a lift gained by add-a-leafs does not need to be accommodated by the rear struts.

 

This is what a lot of people do and is why everyone gets so confused. With the AALs you are increasing the spring rate with the additional leaf thereby the existing leafs don't flatten out as much (support the weight of the rear better) which is where the lift is coming from. Its kind of like running a higher spring rate coil up front, you get more lift from the increase, but the travel stays the same.

With the AAL the only change will be the thickness of it (about 1/4") like I mentioned before. Don't believe me, suspend the rear of you truck without the wheels and shocks and let the leaf packs droop out. Now add in an AAL and do the same. Do you think the AAL will magically increase the existing factory packs ability to droop out further therefore requiring the need for a shock that can extend 1.5" beyond the factory shocks? If you think about this for a bit you should conclude NO.

All this aside the shocks in these trucks are the limiting factor for down travel anyways, they basically serve as limit straps. So really either way you are going to be maxing them out. So with this in mind the longest shock you can pick without the compressed length becoming an issue (make sure you hit the bumps before collapsing the shocks) would be the ideal shock.

 

OK... That helps my mental image a lot. You're simply increasing the ability of the leaf pack to support the weight. There are so may useless one-liners out there, it's terribly confusing. Thanks for the clarification. I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS BOLD SO OTHERS CATCH THIS AND READ IT ^^

 

No problem, glad I could help.

 

just want to say thanks to everyone that has posted to this thread. took two days but i was able to install an icon stage 3 kit. few hiccups but i was always able to find an answer on this thread or TW.

 

What do you guys think about a simple 3inch block lift kit only? Not looking to go off roading yet..

Brad

 

Wait until you can put together a decent setup.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about spacers. Don't. Especially if you eventually plan to go offroad, you'll just have wasted a couple hundred bucks on the spacers.

 

I'm looking into overhauling my suspension. I'm not looking to do any off-roading anymore. It's a 2WD Prerunner, I need it to last me a few more years. I currently have the revtek spacer kit blah blah blah. I want to get as much height as I can without going into a 6 inch lift or spacers or body blocks. I'm thinking about getting a 3"- 4" spindle lift with 5100s and set those at like 2" if possible. Will I need new UCAs? Should I get the whole AAL pack? My goal is to be able to put 315/75s on my truck without cutting up my fenders. I'm running 285s right now with no scrubbing. I know nothing of suspension systems so any advice from the gurus of TW would be appreciated.