The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

Pretty sure they will assemble and ship for about $100 more.
Install runs around 700-900 if you pay a shop.

 

Install is actually pretty easy with air tools, good floor jack, and jack stands.

I installed my Icon UCA's by myself in about an hour give or take, without too much trouble. Wasn't nearly as hard as I was reading others doing it.

 

Do you have the suspension lift you were discussing? What is it and how much lift? What's the ride quality like for you before and after? Why did you end up spending what you did for what you got?

 

I do have my ADS/ICON hybrid setup currently installed. I have the front currently set just under 2", and the rear is about 2.5" (maybe a tad more). I need to actually get out and excersize the rear a bit to make it settle down some. I have the ICON RXT rear leaf setup as option 1 (softest and lowest lift). The rear springs should settle out to just under 2" of lift.

I have only driven it a few miles at most around 25mph or less, so I don't have a clear feeling difference overall between stock and lift yet. But, I can honestly say that the truck seems way more stable than stock even with the 255 KM3s.
I am scheduled for a full front alignment this coming Friday morning and hopefully take it up to Browns Camp for some mushroom hunting Saturday.

As for why I paid what I did.
I wanted to build this truck with a purpose of handling the really rough Oregon desert two track trails, washboard roads, forest roads and trails, and be able to travel very comfortably doing so. It hauls my kayaks, and tows my off road camp trailer.

I am in no hurry on this build, as I have more plans that will take more money to fund or time to fabricate. ADS 2.5" shocks with remote and clickers are on the higher end of the spectrum of available suspension components, made in the USA and are completely tunable, and rebuildable. The ICON billet UCA with the Delta Joint allows for more down travel over stock UCA, and has HIEM joints a the chassis pivots allowing for more robust tuning of the alignment. The ICON RXT leaf pack is tunable depending on what I plan to have for weight in/on the bed. They also have some crazy droop.

I am less interested in overall lift height, and more interested in available down travel and ride quality.

It has taken quite some time for me figure out this setup to meet my goals. I think I am well on my way to getting it there.

In a few weeks it will get 4:88 gears and the ARB front locker. The 4:88 gearing paired with 33" tires will put my RPMs back to about 60rpms higher than stock tires/stock gears at 60mph. This will get the truck running a bit closer to where the 3.5L likes to run without bogging it.

 

Thanks for all that. Much appreciated.

 

Things are pretty busy right now; but if we get a group ride together soon, I’m fine letting you drive a bit to get a feel for the suspension. Not sure how soon you are wanting to decide though.

 

Thank you for the offer! I'm not too sure when either lol. Ironman4x4 has the kit I'm eyeing for only $1529 right now (Foam Cell Pro without UCAs) and I'm struggling on pulling the trigger very soon or waiting to see if they go lower for the holiday season.

 

I’ve had the Ironman foam cell pro for 5 months almost and taken the truck off road quite a bit. I am happy with the improvement over factory. I don’t have anything else to compare it too, but if what Ironman says about them is mostly accurate, they definitely should hold up and remain a good option.
The front is adjustable, so you would be good there. The rear got about 1.75” lift with the performance leaf on my long bed. That worked for me as I wanted to keep a rake. So the way I figured, 1” factory rake means I could be at 2” up front and still have a .75” rake. Still fine tuning that part, but seems very doable.

so far, Ironman has been running deals all year long, but the price did recently increase. I’m guessing the demand has been enough they could justify a little increase.

 

Yeah, I've been seeing that from their pricing since I starting looking into them almost a year ago. If I go with them I'm hoping to beat any further price increases.

I haven't driven any Tacoma's with different suspension yet, and I think I really need to at this point. Though I'm pretty confident I'll end up doing the Foam Cell Pro though. I've got another friend getting it put on in the next couple days, and hopefully I'll get to cruise with him over the weekend to test it out if he goes that soon.

 

Awesome! Is he doing the install or having a shop do it?

 

He's going through a shop.

 

Going to give this a try. Anyone in here ever use one or something similar? If it’s a good fit, then the license is next. Thanks.

 

Did you ever get one of these installed and tested out?

 

I was about to tag him, but I see you beat me to it. I think he was using this radio when we wheeled together earlier this year. If so, it worked good for that day. I don't know how much range it has in the forest. Maybe he could tell ya. @lightnfast

 

Thanks!
I will test as well; for the price it is nice having something that can be permanent and not have to worry about the batteries. At the same time, if it doesn’t improve range, I think it may be a better choice to get a car charger option and keep using the handhelds. Then I don’t have to get a license too. We shall see, now we just need a trail run!

 

Alright so I'm 90% ready to pull the trigger on a lift but the more I keep reading about them, the more I psych myself out on which one to get. Wanted to get input from this group. Honest opinions and recommendations accepted. I've had the truck for just about a year, little over 10k on it. Messaged Marie at Headstrong, super helpful in explaining a lot but they seem to be out of the lift package/options I was initially going with but I think below suits my needs/wants better.

Lift:
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...r_2016__Toyota_Tacoma_-_E80-82-069-01-22.html

- 1st Notch - Just want a 1.5-2" lift. Website says 2" on first notch. (I was initially planning on 2nd, but won't be adding weight anytime soon and can adjust accordingly if needed).
- Deaver AAL - I can't seem to find the specs on the lift of this but I think the 3 Leaf would be overkill for what I'm doing. Correct me if I'm wrong.
- SPC UCA - from what I understand, better alignment options.

Reason I'm Lifting:
Hard to reach camp spots, forest roads, looks and adding weight in back (RTT, UpTop Truss rack, camping accessories). Not hauling anything. Infrequent trips to HD or Lowe's to get materials when needed. Nothing extreme. I'd eventually want to go on some meetups with the PNW crew. If invited and time allows

DIY Install:
I'll be installing my lift in my brother's garage. I'll have the strut and coil reassembled. I don't mind working on things if I have a sense of understanding. Granted I've never installed a lift on any vehicle, I'd like to accomplish this myself (with help if possible) instead of a shop. Want that "I did this" feeling.
Alignment - I know I'm going to need an alignment afterwards. Thinking of going with Automotive Outfitters. Any personal experience with these guys? or any other alignment shops in or around PDX?

Sorry for the long post, wanted to put out as much info i think is relative for advice from the PNW TW experts.

Thanks in advance!

 

You will find many different opinions on suspension setups mostly because it often comes down to personal preference.

I would go with a larger diameter shock. The reason is you mentioned you'll be adding weight to the truck (accessories and gear). If you start adding significant weight to the truck (RTT, sliders, bumpers, camping gear,, people, etc etc) your shocks are gonna have to work that much harder. The heavier you get, the faster they get hot. This is where you start seeing the performance fade and the shock life fade.

Take a look under your truck and you'll see how skinny the OEM shock bodies are. If you're gonna upgrade suspension, step up to larger diameter shocks if it’s in your budget.

If not, don't stress about it. It all depends how hard you plan to push the truck. If you are taking it easy and slow most of the time, it doesn't matter so much.

Click this link and scroll down to the part about "What size Tacoma/4runner shocks do you need?" This will give you some more information to base an opinion on.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/shock_selection/

 

@TacoTim85

Thanks for that info. Back down the rabbithole I go.

Currently looking at ironman4x4 but it seems Eibach and Bilsteins are popular among the TW community. Came across the Ironman 4x4 thread so I'll be diving into more reading. Bilsteins 6112 were another option but on backorder and I'd rather have the lift sooner than later.

 

I can vouch for the Ironman set up. At least for the last 5 months of running it. I have stage2 foam cell pro. It is a huge improvement over OEM.

 

I'm in the process of getting a suspension lift as well. I'm now about 99% sure I'm gonna do the Ironman FCP stage 1 kit. I'm planning on 2" lift front & back. I'll probably pull the trigger in the next couple weeks.