2000 Tacoma extended cab Cost effective lift

I’m looking for a lift that will fit at least a 33... I’m trying not to spend a lot as it is my first truck. It’s gonna be my daily so it needs to ride decent but I’m also gonna hunt on it a little here and there... trying to get a few ideas on suspension and rims and tires. Thanks, Avery

 

I have about 3 grand im looking to put into it but I’m trying to do a few other mods... I’m pretty much trying not to spend more than 1,500 on lift and tires

 

So that leaves about $700 for a lift kit assuming youre buying decent tires.

If I were you, Id look for a 2" kit, and some 32" tires. See, 33" tires and 3" of lift puts you at needing new upper control arms which are $400-$500 by themselves. A 2" kit is fine to use with the stock UCA's. $700 should buy you a set of Bilstein 5100's loaded with Old man emu coils, and an add a leaf for the rear. Check out Headstrong Offroad, they offer free shipping. Actually I just ordered a 2" kit from them for my dads 2nd gen from them. All in for $750 for the 5100's/2" coils and add a leaf combo.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/old-man-emu-setups-on-1st-gen.141055/page-229#post-21589242

above thread is a good one but might make you dig deeper into that wallet.

 

Nice truck...just avoid the cheap body lift route, I've seen too many good tacos butchered that way

 

@2000TacoAvery OME or Bilstein 5100 and call it done.

Tires are on you, but don't cheap out.

 

I have bilstein 5100 and emu 883 spring; no problem clearing 33's. I did at 1" hub centric spacers and trimed the pinch weld at the base, full clearance with the wheel locked in either direction.

 

What wheel/tire size did you go with? Pics if you have any would be cool. Does that hub centric spacer eliminate the frame rub most report with 33s? I'm doing an OME kit in a couple weeks with 883s, AAL, and new UCAs. I'm thinking about going with 32s.

 

My tires are 33 x 10.5 r 15, KO2's. Yes I used the spacer to eliminate frame rub and after that just trimmed a small spot on the back corner of the fender liner and rolled over the first inch of the pinch weld on the bottom. You should not need aftermarket UCA, at least I didn't.

 

Ok, thanks. I have 16" stock wheels I'm gonna stick with for now. I already bought the UCA's mostly because I wanna go with some 255/85s down the road. I'm going for some overhighwaylanding hitting State parks and primitive camp sites. 33s right now might not be the right choice for me but they look good on the 1st Gens.

 

This is my setup for close to 3" of lift.
Its about $1000 total if you forego the custom leaf springs and go with an add-a-leaf for $100. The added leaf can get you 2.5"


ON THE FRONT:

(2) Bilstein 5100 Height Adjustable Front Strut Set D558 $175


Old Man Emu 2881 Front Coil Set $160

You can leave your stock Upper Control Arm as I did for awhile, but that will be problematic. I installed this set costing $485 some years later.
I wish I would have installed them from the beginning.
The improvement in handling and wheel alignment is so radically better with these it makes them worth it.





ON THE REAR:


Racing Leaf Springs at $700 (current price).
You can get a few inches of lift from any aftermarket spring or even adding a leaf or two to your stock springs. While cheaper that way I wanted the ride that these racing springs give (if you don't haul heavy things).

(2) Bilstein 5100s $140

 

I’ve got the ome 883 coils and nitroharger shocks with spc ucas in the front and have a 3inch lift and Dakar 8 leaf pack in the back but it’s completly blown out.
I think the ome package with spc for 1400 is a great deal for front and back with spc ucas. also able to run 33x10.5 r15

 

Great set up. I have about the same thing in mind, parts are purchased. I also have an ARE mid rise topper in which I bought new in 98. I've been swapping emails with my local ARE dealer and we think we can fit new windoors. Although expensive, it's worth it.

 

Awesome, you'll love the windoors, absolutely needed IMO with the tire swing and easier access.

 

I have the same truck as you and I recently bought a rough country 2.5" lift. Only cost me $360, because I went with the lifted struts. Haven't installed it yet, but it seems like a quality and affordable product

 

Have you lifted yours yet? I’m wanting mine to sit level and not have the rake. Let me know what setup you decided as well

 

So I made the last second decision to not get the struts and went with the spacers. It cost me $250 and shipped really quickly. I put it on about 2 weeks and and I love the look of it. Sits slightly higher than level and rides similar to stock. It keeps me from rubbing with 33's so it does what I wanted it to.

 

Could you link what you used? And what size tire are you currently running with it?

 

sorry man I haven't been on TW in a while or I would've gotten back to you sooner.
Here's the link https://www.roughcountry.com/toyota-suspension-lift-kit-740c.html?find=2000-toyota-tacoma-4wd-377137
I am currently running 285/70R17's

 

grab 5100's set at 1-2" of lift (dont need to buy OME coils, use your stock ones) and that should level it. If you want to raise the back too, do 5100s all around, 2.5" up front (max setting on the 5100s) and either add 5100's to the back and set them to 1" or leave the stock shocks in and add a leaf to the rear packs. I have an added leaf that gives 1.5" inches of lift but its on 5100s in the back also, so i have a little rake still. If you want level, keep stock leafs and put 5100s in the back at 1" and fronts at 2.5"

Stock rake is about 1.5" so setting 5100s to 2.5 up front and adding 1" in the back will level you out nicely.

All can be purchased for under $400, getting it installed if you cant DIY will be about $350

If you dont need a 100% 33" go for the Falken Wildpeak AT3W tire in 275/65/16 (its about a 32" tire) and is one of the best options for a year round all weather and terrain taco. It will excel in off road and winter, good in mud and rain. I bought all four of mine for under $700

Your entire lift and tires could be done for under 1k if you shop around!