3rd Gen Lifting Advice

Howdy,

Absolute noob to the truck world. Just picked up a 17' Double Cab TRD Sport and looking to lift it. Not trying to go too crazy, just something to give it a more beefy look. What's the most I can do without having too get too crazy with purchasing Upper Control Arms? I've been looking at the Toytec Boss lift. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Looking to run 275/70/17.

Thanks!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2016-tacoma-presented-by-toytec-lifts.395798/

 

Welcome to TW, first thing to do is decide on a budget. To keep with stock UCAS try and stay under 2 inches of lift up front.

 

Thanks man!

And yeah I'm definitely trying to ball on a budget here. Looking to keep my complete set up under 3k if possible. Want to get some nice wheels and tires and a nice noobie lift setup to get me going..for now

 

I did this, just under 2 inches front and back for less than $1k leaving plenty of room for decent wheels and tires.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dclb-with-885-springs-5100s-at-0-and-3-leaf-aal.502144/

 

I love the Boss 2.0 and the ride is sweet. I have 265/70/17 KO2 and my son has the same with 275/70/17 KO2 with no issues so far. We did not need UCA's for that lift. Get a wheel with a -10 or -12mm offset and you will like the stance.$.02

 

Pics??

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thanks for all the info everyone and welcome! Much appreciated! In regards to the Bilsteins and OME springs, it almost seems a little more worthwhile to go with the BOSS kit since it is only a couple hundread of a difference. Being that the 3rd Gen's already essentially come with a "one inch" lift, would running the BOSS kit set at 1.25" up front and 2" in the back still keep me safe from requering UCA's?

 

Start reading.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-toytec-boss-lift-thread.424616/

Personally not a fan of preloading the spring to achieve height like you do with adjustable coil overs but if that's the line you're looking to go, recommend also looking at the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo for a very good ride. No worries about thread maintenance as it's more of a set it and forget it kit.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/boss-2-0-or-bilstein-6112-5160-combo.402595/

 

This is my son's, 275/70/17 KO2 SCS wheels 17x8.5 -10mm offset, Boss 2.0

 

Nice, do you have pics of yours? I'm trying to decide between 265 70 17 and 275's

 

Exactly. In the same boat. Trying to see if 265/70/17 Look to dinky on a 1"-2" lift. Or if I should go with the 275/70/17. Just hate that E Load BFG Ko2.

@jsinnard I hear preloading springs just makes the ride crap. What's the best method then for raising the suspension over 1" without preloading for maximum use from your suspension?

 

Also newb here. Can you explain what the alternative would be to adjustable coilovers? I see spacers and blocks are a big no no around here. I can understand why that option doesn't suit everybody. But if not spacers and not adjustable coilovers, what is the alternative?

 

I don't have any pics but if you want the bigger looking stance, go with the 275's they look good and the ride is still awesome with the Boss 2.0. Between my truck and my sons, the only difference in ride is the weight which is very minor. I think with the extra weight it gives it a nice ride on his with around 36PSI. With my 265's on C rated tires I run 32psi to get a good ride because at 36psi it was too bumpy for my taste IMO. You get that extra height with the 275's. Although the 265's still look good with a -12mm offset I feel it still ain't bad and I like it. $.02

 

To allow maximum travel of the shock use taller springs to do the lifting. The drawback is springs will settle over time so your ride height may decrease by up to 1/2 inch.

Nothing wrong with coilovers if you want to lift 1-2 inches and you are able to dial in the exact height, just understand the higher you go, the more preload gets dialed in and you get a stiffer ride. To keep it adjustable, coilovers need periodic maintenance and possibly rebuilding every 30-40k miles. Some people don't mind that, it's just something I'd rather not have to do.

If you're using aftermarket springs to do the lifting, you just use larger springs to go higher, just don't exceed the travel of the shock. Like I said, set it and forget it. That's why I recommended the OME kit paired with either Bilstein or the nitrocharger shocks for suspension newbies.

The 6112/5160 does rely on preload but the shocks are so big they compensate for preload, it's also recommended not to go higher than 2 inches on them. They're very expensive but they definitely get the job done. The expense is why I didn't recommend them at first, they can be a bit more than a newbie might want to spend on his first lift for a 1-2 inch increase. There are other workable options like OME springs paired with 5100s or nitrochargers, especially on a daily driver that sees only a little offroad time.

Since a 275 tire only comes in E load right now, it's pretty heavy and stiff compared to a C load, paired with a preloaded spring suspension and you're magnifying the stiffness.

Ride is subjective though, what I like may not be what the next person likes.

Best thing to do is call the people at Headstrong Offroad, let them know what your needs are, the frequency of offroad and they can help you decide on a suspension that will meet your needs and budget. They're very centered on happy customers instead of moving product.

@HeadStrong Off-Road Marie please add more information for the folks and correct any misinformation I might have accidentally put out.

 

Hey guys, thanks a lot for all the input!

So I just paid for school and my budget will be a little tighter for now. If y'all could provide a quick .02$ on what I've come up with I'd really appreciate it!
So the truck will be seeing little to no off roading for a while foremost. I have come to like how they look leveled up front with the 5100 set at .85". So I need the 888 coils with it? And I should be safe from buying UCA's correct?

Now second topic.
I have come across rough country lifts often, however I seems they rely on block lifts more than anything. They're fairly cheap however and I will be doing no serious off roading. What are your opinions on the 3-inch lift from RC? And does their "kit" have everything I need to maintain proper alignment or do I need to purchase UCA's? It's about $300-600 I believe for the kit which seems cheap if it would come with UCA.

I apologize if some questions come off stupid, again I am a noob into the truck world.

Thanks!

 

If you get 5100s you can use your stock springs and set it at .85" to level out your truck.

5100s set at .85" with 888 will lift your truck close to 4 inches. Most people usually using 887 or 888 springs leave the shock at the lowest setying and let the spring do the lifting.

Rule of thumb is any lift under 2.5 inches does not require new uca. I lifted mine 2.5 and got new uca.

Most here including me do not like rough country or pro comp lifts. Why spend over 30k on a truck and put a shitty lift on it, mind as well drive it stock

 

Does this rule of thumb for UCA apply regardless of gen 2 or gen 3? Or is this 2.5" PLUS 1" (3.5 total) for gen 3?

 

Most that lift over 2 inches in the 3rd gen are probably going to need aftermarket UCAs to get a decent alignment. Most under 2 inches of lift from stock height can get away with using the stock UCAs.