Lift vs Level Recommendation

I purchased a 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 for my son. He would like to lift the vehicle a few inches (3 - 4). I am lost between a leveling kit (3/1 or 3/2) and a lift. He does not do much off-road driving, really just for looks. Any suggestions for a complete novice? Budget $500 - $1500. Thank you.

 

You should be able to get a nice entry lift for your budget. Look into Bilstein 5100 all around and an AAL in the back. Should give you a nice lift. You really do not want to go with a 4" lift. Your CV boots will hate you.
I have the 5100 with OME 887 in the front and Icon 3 AAL in the back. Love the setup. Gave me a little over 2" in front and 1.5 in the back.

 

2-2.5" is the sweet spot for Tacomas, any higher than that and you'll end up spending a bunch of time chasing down other issues because of the lift.

For $1500, you can do Bilstein 5100s or OME Nitroshocks and a decent add a leaf in the back, or possibly even a full leaf pack swap. Best recommendation for lift + improved handling.

On the cheaper end, you can do a spacer lift which will get you the look, but make the truck drive and handle like crap.

Prices above assume you'll do the install. Add $500 if paying for install.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/eibach-pro-lift-kit.545060/

Plus an Icon AAL

 

3 to 4 inches? Do some research. Your going to have alot more work to do aside from the lift.

 

Understood. Local shop suggested 3"/2" leveling kit while another suggested 3.5" lift kit. Sounding like the 5100 with AAL is the better route.

 

Check out the Eibach offerings as well. A lot of juice for the squeeze.

 

Suspension lift is typically a better way to go, so 5100’s are a home run. They are exactly what Toyota rebrands for their TRD Lift kit .

Going over 3” is going to take a ton of extra parts and labor to deal with the trucks new geometry. You still want it to retain mostly stock manners..
Id leave that for a future endeavor, if it was my truck.

 

One clarification, a 4” lift for a 4wd would have to be a drop bracket lift and on its own it will not affect cv axle angles. Our trucks only only have about 3” of down travel from the factory, so 2” is about the limit for a IFS ride height lift.

 

2/1 lift for great looks, and more importantly, reliability..... Bilstein 5100's for the Win

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-tacoma-lift-guide.509171/

 

I went with Westcott Designs, local for me, just 4 miles away.
So happy with this budget lift/level, I ordered their sliders, which should be ready any day now.

Tacoma, Tundra & 4Runner Bilstein 5100 Preload Collar Lift Kit - Westcott Designs

https://youtu.be/lRzgZQK37_Y

 

I’d do something like this 5100s, new coils, and a progressive AAL

 

he wants a lift but does not need one. I would not do anything. I would leave it stock.

 

I really don’t understand the reasoning behind lifting a truck a mere 2” for looks. It hardly makes any visual difference IMHO. Add in 33-35” tires and I start to see the difference, but at a great cost.

 

I disagree. 5100s all around with 1” in front with 265/75s looks so much better than stock.

 

To Each there Own

 

2" 5100's and now my 265/75/16 Duratracs look too small. Big difference. Now I have room for some pizza cutter 255 33" tires.