My 2016 Tacoma 4x4 TRD 4" BDS lift review. Honesty version

2016 Tacoma TRD
18x9 rims 4.5" backspace
33x12.50 Toyo RT's
BDS 4" lift kit
Tinted windows - eyebrow
Window guards


I fell in love with the look of this 4" lift as soon as a saw pictures of it on the Internet. I ordered and installed through a local dealer. I was immediately blown away when they drove it around front for pick up. Everyone I've talked to says it's the best looking Tacoma they have seen. I agree with the best looking part. Haha. It's what's underneath that has me upset.

To me, from a front view it looks like a black Road Grader. Ready to plow my gravel driveway smooth. This lift provides Zero additional ground clearance of the drivetrain/front end.

Example: my stock front end clearance was 9.4".
My clearance now with additional tire height is 9.5".

So no additional ground clearance.

Basically I feel as though I have added an expensive body lift to my Tacoma.

Daily driving- the drive seems much rougher. I know the larger rims and tires are a part of this. But I mean it's a huge difference from stock. Especially say you take it off road. The travel of the suspension seems shorter and the rubber bump stops that come with the lift only have like a inch of travel before it hits them. I just uploaded a picture of it below. My bad. It's less than an inch. Hitting the arms hard. When these hit off road it's like a rocket launcher upwards. My stock suspension seemed it could take much more punishment. It is also a very noisy lift. There seems to always be something knocking. Not a ping or metal grinding but thumps. I think most of the noise comes from the spacers on the front end that were installed above the springs. The back end is on 3" blocks. With fox shocks. I can tell it's a bit stiffer but not much change felt from stock except the stiffness.

Power- I can definitely feel a power loss. Take off is slower as expected. At around 60-65 it has some major trouble holding the cruise control. Especially on hills. It toggles back and forth constantly between 4-5 gear trying to hold the overdrive. Even using the foot you will experience this struggle of gears. It's very annoying. I can barely hit 100mph now. If the wind is in your face forget it. I'm sure the drop bracket is not helping the aerodynamics either.

I'm averaging between 12-15 mpg and I drive about 100 miles per day.


Pros- I know this lift will be easier on my joints, axles, Etc. that's about all I have to say about that.


Today I parked next to a co-workers Tacoma. As I looked at the fronts of both, mine was towering over his. While our ground clearance of the front end was exactly the same. Honestly I'm embarrassed with this lift. I think I read somewhere today on this site someone called the BDS lift a pavement punisher. I think he is correct. I plan on changing this out for something more suitable for off road and smoother riding.

If you guys have any thoughts or ideas let me know. Please let me know if ideas for a better quality lift with more ground clearance. Hope this helps someone.

Get more educated before you buy. Don't be me!! Haha

I would not purchase a BDS again. Not my taste.

Send you lifted pics as well so we can do some comparisons. Thanks everybody!

I'm going to keep updating/editing this post as new things arise. Or as things I remember come into play. Thanks again.

 

I'm glad at the end you say "Get more educated before you buy. Don't be me!! Haha" because all of that would have been avoided.

• Clearance is expected of a drop bracket lift. All it is is for show.
• It rides rough because again, it's a drop bracket lift. Plus the tires aren't helping (try airing down a few PSI to help)
• It is lacking in power because you slapped some heavy tires on there
• You're trying to go 100 mph in a lifted tacoma which has the aerodynamics of a UPS truck to begin with?!

I will give it to you in the looks department. Looks pretty mean! Glad you posted this up for future buyers.

 

Those tires must kill your mpg.
Your honesty about your mistake is commendable.
Going with a smaller diameter wheel, taller sidewall and, narrower tire with help in all aspects of how your truck drives.

 

the only question i have is if you remove and want to install something else to install a dropbracket lift don't you have to remove a section of cross frame for it to clear the front drive shaft. 1 of the reasons i shy'd away from a drop bracket lift was cutting the frame

 

Bahahahahaha, I just died when I read your response to the 100mph part. Just throwing an example out there. Thanks for th response dude!

 

14.1 MPG

 

Thanks for the honest review! i does look good tho...

 

I'm going to update/edit this post some more tomorrow. I was just in my driveway frustrated when I typed it out and took the pictures.

 

Awesome review, not knowledgeable at all about that style lift, but your truck does look excellent from the side and wondering if better shock combo might compliment the lift you already have. I wasnt happy with the way my sport rode. Thought it was very bouncy stock. Went with bigger bilstein 6112 and 5160 and ride is so much better now. Just a thought but still wont help much if it has an inch of travel before bumpstop

 

Looks will come with performance applications, not the other way around.
I would sell it and start over, no problem for you there.

 

Your right about that bro!

 

Damn, that's an expensive mistake there. Is this your first lifted truck?

 

You drive 100 miles a day and average between 12-15mpg? Ouch.

Ever tempted to just go back to complete stock and start over?

 

Your honesty is a breath of fresh air, thanks for keeping it real. Let us know what you end up with. FWIW I'm loving my OME setup.

 

Damn i was about to go with this same settup. Seeing how no clearance has been added is the deal breaker for me. Thanks might just leave my truck bone stock

 

Shwaa - I have a rep job. Just driving it while the AC in my car is getting fixed.

 

Girlfriend just said get off his damn forum. You act like its you damn child!! She is right.

 

Sell it as is. Buy a new one and start over fresh.

 

Slightly, no, a lot off topic, can you take a close up pic of the tint strip on the windshield please?

Specifically around the GoPro and mirror dots area.

I want to see the dots and how much "silver" is showing. Going to tint my front windshield, and also add a strip across the top. I'm concerned the dots will "give me away".

Truck does look good. Consider an Icon suspension kit, a it increases "travel". Travel is what you are after.

You can find out more about "travel" suspension options here - http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/forums/16-Truck-Talk

 

I dont think this truck can go back to stock or go to a 3 inch lift after cutting the cross member, correct me if im wrong a 4 or six inch lift is a one way ticket