1st Gen, 4 cyl, single cab, OME 880 vs 881

I have a stock 2003 4 cylinder Tacoma single cab with shell that I am looking to lift and put some bigger tires on. No immediate plans to add a bumper or winch. Have read very conflicting things on 880 vs 881. Don’t want to be disappointed in the lift, but also want a decent ride. Thoughts?

 

Please expand on this. What do you mean "disappointed"?

What do you hear that is conflicting?

Both are 500# springs, the 881s are just 10mm longer.

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

Talked to a few local shops here in salt lake and read a lot online. Some people say 881s will be too stiff unless I have a heavy bumper and a winch, also will be too tall for cv joints. Others say it will be fine. I don’t want to buy the 880s and only end up with a 1 inch lift. Hoping to get 2” out of it... lots of conflicting information out there.

 

Love your rig man! What are you running for lift/suspension/tires?

 

I have 881's and got like 2.5" of lift. Go with the 880's you'll get way more lift than normal because of the 4cyl. I wish I would have gone with 880's.

 

what makes you wish you would have gone 880s?

 

They're too stiff in my opinion.

 

I think you're thinking of the 882 or 883's.

THe 880 and 881 are both 500 pound springs and are intended for use without bumpers/winches.

For 2" go for the 881's. There's no real guarantee that you'll get exactly 2" but it should be close. EDIT: just realized you're a 4cyl. If that's the case, the 880's are probably better for you.

And get a diff drop kit while you're at it. That will help keep your CV angles in check: EDIT EDIT: Anothe roption is getting 5100s. If the 880's aren't enough lift, you *can* lift it a little more with the clip position on the 5100's. It's generally not advisable to mix lifts like that, but as long as you stay well under the max lift for the IFS (which is 3"), you should be okay. Or you can get some 5 or 10mm spacers, depending on how you need to level out with the rear suspension.

 

One last wrinkle in the decision process. At some point I would also like to add an ARB bumper (prob no winch though). I spoke the guys at Cruiser Outfitters in SLC and was told even with the ARB bumper to go with the 880s. He said he wouldn't jump up to the 881s unless I was doing a winch and bumper. Thoughts? Just want to make sure I am thinking this all through.

 

Not trying to be rude but you're overthinking it. Multiple people on here have told you to run the 880's, including myself. I have 881's and they're too tall. Now, you have a legit suspension shop telling you the same. Go with the 880's and you'll be happy.

 

I had 880s on my reg cab, 4cyl with 265/75/16. It worked great. I then changed them for 881s and added bumper, winch, and went up tire size to 285/75/16. If you’re not doing all that then I agree with others, 880s should do what you want.

 

Cruiser Outfitters would not lie to you. I also have a 2003 regular cab and got over 2.5" of lift with 880's. I then had to buy SPC upper control arms to get my alignment in spec. After a couple years, they settled to 2 1/4." That's with an aftermarket bumper that weighs about 70 lbs. more than stock. Get the 880's. Get the 880's. Get the 880's. Get the 880's. Get the 880's.

Also, let's see some photos. Regular cab Tacomas are the best Tacomas.

Here's what fully settled 880's on a regular cab look like:

 

When I added my bumper, and even my winch, I barely noticed a difference in the height.

Granted, I have King King coilovers, but that shouldn't really matter.

Stick with the 880s for now. If it comes down to it later, you can always replace them, and sell the 880s to offset the cost IF you need to.

Or you run the 881s or heavier springs, and you end up with too much lift, and too stiff a ride now.

 

how much lighter is the reg cab compared to the ex cab? I'm in a similar dilemma and don't know whether to go 880 vs 881. Or 880 vs eibach 600s

 

Thought I would post a before pic. Prob not the best before pic because the front end is off the ground. Oh well.

Picked up some 2020 take offs, 265 70 17s. Going to tear into it this week. Planning on removing the bed and cleaning up and painting the undercarriage. Also going to add a roof rack to the shell.

thanks everyone for the help! I will keep you posted.

 

It already looks great, looks like you got one in excellent condition. I swear 1st gen regular cabs are about the most handsome trucks ever made. Can’t wait to see the after photos.

 

2003 and has 130k miles on it. I'm the second owner, have owned it for 12 years. Bought it from a farmer in the middle of nowhere Utah. Has been an awesome truck and always garaged.

 

Just spent the last couple hours reading through your build thread. Awesome stuff man... got my wheels turning. Where in SLC are you located... now I'm gonna keep an eye out. I'm up in Sugarhouse.

 

Thank you. I’m in Millcreek so not far. I always notice regular cabs and drool over them even though I already have one.