What size suspension lift is best without causing issues?

Looking at getting a lift and wasn't sure about a 2 1/2 , 3 1/2 or higher. I have a 2012 single cab base 4x4 and was curious what size suspension lift is best without causing issues?
And best tire size for that lift?

 

Under 3" for 4x4s. The rest depends on your use. I was at at 3" then 2.5" and I hit a lot of potholes and drive offroad often and the loss of downtravel really cramped my ride. I went back to stock height with 5100s but am considering notching up to 1".

If you wheel, tire size is going to have to be smaller to clear the body/mount compared to if you only mall crawl, so that one's a bit subjective. Also the offset of your rims will factor in to what tire size rubs as well as tread pattern AT VS MT. What do you want in a tire? Largest possible without rubbing? I run stock 3rd gen wheels and they're great for miles, and I run fuel 17x9 -4.5 (or so) with 275/70/17 MT and I had to chop the cab mount because I wheel and rubbing is annoyong and dangerous.

But also some would say that lifting your truck doesn't safely allow you to run bigger tires because even though you'll clear in day to day driving in an emergency swerve your tire will eat the fender and cause you to lock up and potentially crash (or when wheeling you'll rub). So just cut the cab, give the cuts a smooth chamfer and paint and you don't need to weld in a plate (unless you live in the rust belt?)

 

Maybe give some more details as to either what you use your truck for or what look you're going for

 

I run a 3” Icon lift. Still running 265/70/16. Toyota stock size tire
Looks great

 

Just pick up 5100s for all 4 corners, some nice +2 inch OME or Bilstein coils for the front lift, and medium duty Dakar leaf packs for the rear. set the bilsteins up front to +1 and then you’ll have 3 inches of lift up front and ~2.75 in the rear. I also recommend getting a toytec 1/4 inch spacer for the front driver side to counteract taco lean. I run 33s no problem on this setup.

 

It will be use to tow a 2000 lbs trailer once in a while and used to do some trails as well. Nothing too harsh, it's not my only vehicle. The truck is a 2012 with 60k and won't be putting a ton of miles on it.

 

I was told the Bilstein 6112 eliminates the taco lean but I haven't found anyone that can confirm this.
I've owned a couple of lifted Toyotas from the '80s several years ago, but I have never heard of the Toyota lean. What causes that?

 

The 6112's may correct the taco lean if the drivers side is set one notch higher than the passenger side.
I have both mine set to max and even with a 1/4" spacer on the drivers side there is still a little lean.

I think the lean is mostly caused by the fact the battery and gas tank are both on the drivers side.

 

So you tow, don’t do anything harsh, and want 0 issues?

Factory height. Factory tire size.

 

I run OME 883 coils on Bilstein 5100’s set at 0”. This gave me 1” lift up front. For the rear I have a wheelers off-road AAL without the overload leaf in also with the 5100’s and that gave me 1.5” lift in the rear. With this setup I run 265/75/16 all terrains.

I also didn’t want to have any driveline issues so I kept my lift as minimal as possible but now that I have it I don’t know if I’d want to go any higher anyways.

 

i went with gen 3 front struts and rear shocks

lifted front an inch

 

I have the same truck. I have a 2.5 to 3 inch lift and 31” tires. No rubbing.

 

Thank you for the suggestion. Is this correct?
My plan has changed and won't be towing with this truck.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...ht-adjustable-5100-front-and-rear-5100-shock/

https://www.jackit.com/ome-el111r-001.html

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p31/HS_1/4"_Top_Plate_Spacer_-_TT05514-TPS.html

https://www.extremeterrain.com/old-man-emu-tacoma-2-in-front-lift-coil-springs-2885.html

 

Coil overs ,your choice and an add a leaf will be your best bet

 

Could you explain a little further?
I'm always open to options.

 

Aren’t add a leafs not the best idea for “best ride” and or just “smart-ness”? Since your old leafs may be tired and worn?

I’m really wanting a small, conservative lift, but thinking I should just get a new leaf pack because I don’t want any sagging when loaded.


What about stock 3rd gen Sport or TRD takeoffs?

 

Yep! That seems to be everything. Like I said, you should be good to set the bilsteins to the +1 inch notch (#3), but depending on your wheel and tire setup you may need to do the 1.5 (#4) but I really doubt it.

here is the ride height you’ll be sitting at just about.

 

The lift that causes the least issues is no lift. Good shocks and springs, tires and wheels, call it a day.

 

You do not want to go nuts with lift. It's an IFS suspension that can only downtravel so much, and the geometry + adjustment designed into it only applies at certain height range.

Depending on the parts you use and shock, too much lift will result in:
-not enough downtravel, riding like crap
-positive camber causing tire wear issues
-bottoming out the shock
-exceeding angle of control arm ball joints

The truck can tow whether stock or lifted. Lift may or may not change the height adapter tow ball required, such as AAL or a leafpack like Icon RXT.
Due to more leaves, it will likely compress and sag a bit less with weight, but it will still sag.

Many passenger cars have auto-leveling headlight, using a sensor on the suspension to measure the current ride height based on who and what is in the car. Manual versions of that probably exist as well,
but the Tacoma has no such thing.
So when towing and the rear sags, the headlights shine up into the sky throwing away all the light and it's no longer on the road leaving it dim. Or it shines up at other cars.

no lift causes a lot of smacking the underside on fun scenic trails

 

This^