Review: 6" lift and 35s on Gen 2 4.0

3518514[/ATTACH] I have been following Tacoma World for years trying to learn all I can about lifting my truck with something besides spacers. I had 3" level kit and 33s. I finally pulled the trigger with some hesitation not knowing what would happen to my performance.. (TW is full conflicting opinions shared about 6" DB lifts with 35s, not as many facts as I wanted or could find) I use my truck for everything, live near many mountain adventures camping, snowboarding, mountain biking. I did not want to lose any of the all around capability of this great truck.
Here's my experience after 6 months of usage both on/off road with a Stage 3 BDS 6" lift with BDS UCAs and 35x12.50x18 BFGKO2s keeping STOCK GEARING. Truck 4.0 (Auto) holds 5th on highway with flat limited or no head wind. Some torque converter shift with wind or hills.
MPG average: Town 16mpg, Highway @ 65mph 19-20mpg, @75-80 17-18mpg. GPS and tire calculation..careful acceleration. Wind is the biggest player in anything below these figures, depending as much as 2mpgs. Towing with up to 3k pounds at 60mph 13-14mpgs.
Power: acceleration slightly affected but surprisingly still very good. Truck does not strain to easily keep up or overtake traffic. 4.0 feels at home with low revs from tire size. Could I re-gear, sure, but is it necessary? Maybe, but I seem to be doing great.
Handling: Corners the truck is stiffer than stock, with in reason, in corners truck feels more planted.
4x4 shift in/out: no more hesitation, instant and smooth, not so with 3" level kit.
Ride: Its better than stock, (much better than with level kit which didn't inspire control in bumps and truck rattled at times badly). Now Quiet, smooth, firm, planted, it's impressive, really worth every penny. Can fly down dirt roads much easier with more control. Rough trail it's possible to go fast with control. Rear is on blocks but has amazing articulation with no more wheel lift (stock rear shocks are short and feel like plastic toys when holding in your hand, no kidding). Now I have Fox 2.0 RRs. (Reservoir definitely allows the shock to extend farther.) leaf pack? I'm not sure I need it now.
Looks: Don't do this mod if you want to blend in. People look, ask, compliment often.
Clearance @ dif: 12" front 11" rear. 1" Less than 3" level kit or coil overs and 33s in front and 1" more than any 3" lift with 33s in the rear. APPROACH, DEPARTURE, BREAK OVER, Vastly improved. I've taken the truck to identical trails/conditions to compare, it's better to be lifted. Also, less body roll on side hills. It's as capable in 2wd after lifting/35s than it used to be in 4wd in some conditions.
Trimming?: Some minor and easy plastic, also cab mount chop which is solid, stock looking. Notches are needed on front splash guard mounts to clear new sway bar location.
I'm very happy to have these kind of results. It was a considerable investment for me (5 years saving)costing around $8k total. I plan to keep the truck and it's overall better off road in every way. Around town and highway, on par or better than stock, firm..less wallowing..
I hope some of these figures help if you are looking to lift for the looks or performance. With a quality DB 6", in my experience, you can have both.

 

Sweet, post some pics.

 

Good write up dude.