Installing 3rd gen trd off road suspension in second gen reg cab 4x4

So I’ve seen a lot of conflucting information about doing a 3rd gen to second gen suspension swap. I normally hear you only gain an inch but I just recently talked to a guy who also has a 2nd gen reg cab 4x4 who says the 3rd gen TRD OR suspension he installed gave him 3” of lift.
I’m worried I might need to get an AAL (I do parts delivery reg for Toyota in my truck so the stiffness would actually help) to level it out if that’s the case.
My truck is obviously a 2.7l so there will be a lot less weight in the front end.
Anybody have any good info on how much lift I should expect and weather or not I’ll need an AAL?

I’m swapping the front coil overs/shocks and the rear struts.

I’m a noob when it comes to lifts so go easy on me lol

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nsion-on-2nd-gen.542843/page-28#post-25819211

This is the only regular cab I saw in my thread. You may be able to tag him in that thread and ask. I believe it should be about 1.75", 2" MAX. The 2.7 isn't that much lighter than the 4.0 since the 2.7 is a cast iron block and the 4.0 is aluminum.

The only way the other guy you talked to got 3" out of it is if he has the 3rd gen TRD PRO suspension (probably still wouldn't make it to 3") or added a spacer to the 3rd gen TRD Off Road.

 

Ok that sounds a lot more reasonable. Do you think just doing the coil overs/shocks would level out the truck then? Or should I get new leafs too?

 

He may have IF, the original coilovers were totally shot so when he put on the 3rd gen with fresh springs, he saw a 3" lift. Or spacers as @TacoFergie said. When I put on 3rd gen coilovers on my truck it raised it 2" initially but settled to 1.5".

If your leaf springs are good and not flat or have a negative arch you'll get 2"with an AAL. Seem to recall someone sells an AAL with only a 1.5".

 

Really just depends on if your leaf springs are sagging. If you can get the 3rd gen leaf springs included in the deal it wouldn't hurt to install them on your truck, they will still bolt right in with no problem.

 

I also found a guy selling 3rd gen TRD UCA’s

Would it be a good idea to pair third GEN UCA’s with the new suspension?

I also found a guy selling a complete suspension including leaf springs for a little bit more than the one I was originally going to get. Should I just go that route?

 

If it was me, I'd go with the complete set. I don't see a reason to replace the upper control arms.

 

Still waiting on a response from the seller. I just realized it was listed 10 months ago. $300 for the full set.
I feel like my leads are looking a bit flat…

 

I doubt they are the NEW 2020 TRD PRO UCA's, those would be sweet. But depending on your miles it wouldn't hurt to replace the UCA's, all 3rd gen and 2nd gen Tacoma's have the same UCA luckily. Except for the 5 lug Tacoma, which there isn't many of.

Those leaf springs are flat, if not a little inverted slightly. If you can procure a set of leaf springs, that would be great! Otherwise there are many options out there.

 

I installed the front 3rd gen TRD off road struts on my 2011 reg cab 4x4. It raised it a bit but nothing crazy. Maybe an inch or so. I still have a 3/4 inch rake even with completely flattened out 3 pack leafs.

 

I don’t mind a little rake But my entire suspension is shot. My truck squeaks over every little bump so loud it sounds like GTA vice city when you pick up the hookers… It’s beyond irritating

 

Just hold out for a good deal on the struts. Maybe throw some 4600’s on the rear. That’s what I’m doing.

The guy I bought mine from threw in his 4 Pack leaf springs so I’m interested to see if that helps my ride at all. I paid $120 for struts and the springs.

 

The main issue I have is that I do auto parts delivery for a living. Sundays I’ll have 20 pounds of parts in the bed of my truck, and other days I might have an engine block and a tranny in the bed. I’m probably going to need something read it for more weight than factory, either that or do an add a leaf

 

With what the symptoms are with the leaf springs and what you use the truck for, I'd definitely be looking to replace them. OEM packs are not the greatest. Saying that, mine were replaced during the recall and shortly afterwards I put a set of SumoSprings on. I'm not hauling engine blocks around, but I do have a cap and either pulling a trailer with 2 dirt bikes or 1 on a hitch carrier. The SumoSprings work just fine for me eliminating sag.

Since you need new leaf springs you should look into getting a set of Deaver or simular. Plenty of threads on TW covering aftermarket leaf packs.

Lots of options to help with your suspension, just depends how much cash you want to hand out.

 

the main reason I’m looking at doing a full takeoff suspension is because I just don’t have the money at the moment to buy an entirely new setup. I could probably afford to get a take off TRD OR leaf pack set and an add a leaf/helper spring.
I also did the recall swap and they lasted me a few years. In the last 2 weeks my truck has gone from having a pretty extreme rake to looking nearly level.
With my current springs, would an add a leaf even help? Or would it just be putting a bandaid on a bullet wound?

 

IMO it's a bandaid, but it could help you through until you can research and get the suspension you need. Again IMO, you're stressing an already stressed rear suspension.

 

I’ll probably look for some low mileage trd off road springs and add either an add a leaf to it or sumo springs.

 

Since you use your truck for work any improvements (and mileage) should be tax deductible. An AAL will buy you some time with your leaf springs. Sumo springs will help with load sag either with new or old leaf springs.

 

yeah and I can deduct 53.5 cents per mile driven. I’ve literally done 12k miles in just a couple of months. It’s honestly a really fun job. I love driving in general. Only problem with this job is I easily run train on a tank of gas every day.

 

Judging off your location in San Antonio, TX, there should be tons of stuff available somewhat close by. There are a lot of Air Force training bases in within a couple hours away and I know (seeing with my own eyes) how some of those E1-E3's blast though money after moving out of mommy and daddys house and living in base housing. lol I'm sure there will be something that will pop up! I've seen guys buy brand new Mustang GT's, Camaro SS's, giant trucks, etc and pay 10%+ interest on the loans. It's sad, but a true reality. They learn quick.

Also, @BlkDakDave brings up many great points, one of them being AAL's just being a band aid. Thats why when I see people asking about rear lift springs and others recommend AAL I just face palm and shake my head. OEM leafs are horrible, especially when comparing to aftermarket options that will ride better, last longer and handle loads better. I was really surprised how much better the rear felt after installing OME Dakar Leaf springs and from what I've read they are just meh for ride compared to most leaf packs. I haven't looked at options for aftermarket stock height springs, so I don't know the options. BUT I know you can remove leafs on most aftermarket packs to lower to the desired height. @HeadStrong Off-Road would be able to help out too.

Another option is installing air bags for when thigs get heavy. I know they are cheaper than sumo springs, but can't recall how much they are. My buddy has them routed to a schrader valve near his license plate and a small compressor in his bed. Works great for him!