2-3 inch lift kits for 2000 tacoma 2.7L 4x4

Hi - the suspension on my 2000 tacoma (regular cab 2.7L 4x4) is due for a do-over so I'm thinking about this lift kit:

https://www.roughcountry.com/produc...utm_content=&utm_term=||c||fit_first_740.23-a

Can you guys give me some feedback on it? My truck is mostly on pavement but I do get on dirt roads fairly often. I'm in Bishop CA, Sierra eastside. Lots of washboard roads, some times washed out (especially in spring time), but no rock crawling. Thanks!

 

upon some further reading, it seems like most people agree that this is a junk cheap way to lift. Rather, a set of new Bilstein 5100 would be better:
https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...32027293745201&stkn=9b330414ad0b#part-numbers

Can someone explain to me what else I'd need to complete the lift? Do i need new coils or new leaf springs?

 

I've not used that lift kit, but here's why I wouldn't put in on my truck.

1.) Rough Country is a very cheap brand, and I doubt you'd get a good service life out of those shocks. They'll also likely not ride that well.

2.) Bilstein 5100s - you can spend a couple hundred dollars more and get a far better quality parts. For around $600-700, you could get Bilstein 5100s with new lift coils for the front, and a set of 5100s for the rear.

3.) If you're suspensions is due for a "do-over", I'd suggest replacing your leaf springs now, and not just raising ths rear end with blocks or a shackle lift. This will add about $400-600 to your total price tag though.

So you probably need to spend about double the price of that rough Country kit to do this right, but the way the truck will ride on those washboard roads will be far superior. Also you'll likely get better longevity out of the Bilsteins and save money on the back end.

 

To do it right you'd need both new coils and leaf springs.

 

what about this kit? I'm learning...never looked into suspensions before lol...
https://torchoffroad.com/products/1...JWag0mGdOynlogfFQ7Sm5OQg7DqrJc0EaArIJEALw_wcB

 

Junk too. Doesn't include new leaf springs or coil springs. Using spacer blocks on your old front coil springs will make your truck ride like hot garbage, and will accelerate wear on other front end components.

 

So those plus leaf springs? Plus rear shocks? I'd like to spend under $1000 altogether and can probably do the work myself...?

 

... Leaf springs are going to be $1000 on their own.

 

ouch ok...what about: will the added leaf make the ride more stiff?

or just new bilstein shocks:

 

I was just about to suggest this. The AAL will make the ride a little stiffer, but that is better than using lift blocks or shackles on the stock leaf springs.

 

On the bottom of the product page, it says:

** This lift is not recommend for Standard cab or Tacoma's with a 4 cylinder 2.7L engine size. Ride quality can be quite firm and you will achieve more than 3" of lift. **

 

I'm leaning towards these: Plus a set of new bilstein 5100 rear shocks as well, without adding any leaf spring or anything else. Thoughts?

Does this mean only a front lift is achieved?

 

That's an option. In all likelihood, the front of the truck is probably lower than the back, so you don't necessarily need to lift the rear, unless you are trying to stuff larger tires in there.
Add the front lift, then drive it around and let it settle a bit before you do anything in the rear, if you even decide to.

 

Would you recommend going with the 0881 coils with 2" or 3" lift? I'm also putting on a light duty tube style front bumper (All-Pro) and will sometimes be hauling a DRZ400 on the rear. I also have a fiberglass camper shell on the back with a lightweight self-built bed platform and pullout drawers.

 

and would these or these work for the rear?
https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...aUa3LWSCIkJzJ61STIi0Xwmxw52LqxcIaAlrgEALw_wcB

 

You got a lot going on and should put a little more time into researching the various options. There are plenty of threads on the subject that contain useful information.

With all that weight on the rear you will have to do something with the leaf springs, either AAL or new leaf packs. Times have changed, when I lifted mine it cost me less than $900 to do a complete OME suspension lift (front and rear) with Bilstein rear shocks. Probably closer to $1500 today.

 

Call one of these companies (wheelers, toytech, etc...) and explain to them what you're planning to do with armor and haul, and let them suggest the products for you, rather than keep taking guesses and suggestions from the internet.

 

I have a 2003 reg cab 2.7L 4x4 like you. My experience lifting my truck can be a lesson for you.

Back in 2014 I started with Bilstein 5100s Adjustable front struts (part #D558 then)

I coupled these with the Old Man Emu's 2881 Springs.
Together these got me between 1-1/2 to 2" of lift.
Thats all I wanted.
N.B., I have an ARB bumper on the front of my truck

However, it turned out that the increased height put pressure on my CV axles and they eventually wore out.
As well, we could not get the front wheels to align to specs.

As I recall the history of the problem, the increased coil over spring height was too much for the OEM upper control arms because they did not have enough leverage to handle the height, the increased angle caused my CV axles to fail.
The problem was solved by adding after market upper control arms.
I bought a new pair of UCAs from JBA Off Road ($484 at that time) and they solved this.

FYI, on the rear I added Deaver Leaf Springs with Bilsteins for 2" of lift.
My total investment back then was about $900 for the front and $700 for the rear doing the labor ourselves.

 

I would get the cheap kit.....Depending on how you drive. If you dont beat on it/ get it

 

I must say, your experience is a bit out of the ordinary. 1.5"-2" of front lift is fairly mild, pretty much the sweet spot and should not have caused your CV's axles to fail. I have been on 882's (2.75" lift) with OEM UCA's for over 150k miles and have not had a single CV axle failure. CV boots yes, but CV axle no.

Also, the increased angle on the upper control arm would not have had any affect on your CV axle longevity. The only thing adding the aftermarket UCA did for you was allow for additional alignment adjustability which is questionable whether or not it would truly be necessary at 1.5" of lift.