Suspension Help

[Sota166]

Ok, so I am trying to hold off on a suspension lift for as long as I can but I struggling to do so . I hope you all can help me figure out what I need so I can at least prepare for the costs. I am a complete rookie to the Tacoma, overland, mod world so please bare with me .

I bought the Tacoma as a daily driver with the intention to go on a few overlanding trips a year. The plan is for 33's on a 3 inch lift. Will I have rubbing while on the trail? I have no clue how to shop for what I need. Do suspension lifts come as a kit? Do you buy the parts separately? What parts are necessary and what parts are extra luxuries? With no mechanical experience I will find a shop for the installation. Would it be best to order parts through the shop that does the install?

I want to do the lift the right way the first time. I don't mind spending money on what l should to do the lift correctly. I just don't what to pay more for a brand name or for parts that are not needed. What should I expect for costs ?

I have already learned a lot from you all! I appreciate any thoughts or recommendations .

 

[ShikyoX]

1. Oldman emu bp51 kit complete
2. Proper rims yo backspacing spec
3. Will it rub, yes ,can it be minimized without sledge hammer everything. YES
4. Anything to consider extra for the lift? Upper control arms if you overlanding thinkk about weight . The oldman emu dakars should handle pretty much everthing
5. Best to purchase and install in one place usually yea. Most company's will give you a deal on parts or labour if you do everthing via them

 

[ShikyoX]

As to price I cant say I live in Canada so all I can say is far less then I paid

 

[Tyler]

Ok, so I am trying to hold off on a suspension lift for as long as I can but I struggling to do so . I hope you all can help me figure out what I need so I can at least prepare for the costs. I am a complete rookie to the Tacoma, overland, mod world so please bare with me .

I bought the Tacoma as a daily driver with the intention to go on a few overlanding trips a year. The plan is for 33's on a 3 inch lift. Will I have rubbing while on the trail? I have no clue how to shop for what I need. Do suspension lifts come as a kit? Do you buy the parts separately? What parts are necessary and what parts are extra luxuries? With no mechanical experience I will find a shop for the installation. Would it be best to order parts through the shop that does the install?

I want to do the lift the right way the first time. I don't mind spending money on what l should to do the lift correctly. I just don't what to pay more for a brand name or for parts that are not needed. What should I expect for costs ?

I have already learned a lot from you all! I appreciate any thoughts or recommendations .

When this question is asked this way, I generally advise to do the same thing I did.

You need:

• Front coils/shocks
• Rear leaf spring replacement or add-a-leaf
• Rear shocks
• A spacer for the front driver side coil to compensate for "Taco lean"

You don't need, but should definitely have if you want to be doing it right the first time:

• Front upper control arms that can handle the extra travel of the new setup
• Extended rear brake lines (stock lines are long enough for full droop, but upgrading them is safer)
• A spacer for your driveshaft to lose some of the gained angle (carrier bearing)
• The ECGS bushing to replace the needle bearing in your front diff which is known to vibrate/wear out faster after lifting

Does this come in a kit? Not really, but HeadStrong Off-road creates kits to make this easier for us, and I recommend this one: https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p402/Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_w/_Dakars_(HS16BK-1-Dakar).html

• It will ask you to select your coil type - I recommend the 887.
• Then if you want your front coils/shocks assembled - I recommend doing that. Doing it yourself can be hard and/or dangerous.
• Then if you want those upper control arms I mentioned - I recommend the Light Racing option. They are inexpensive but really make a difference. They're also adjustable which can help with your tires rubbing.
• Then it will ask which leaf pack you want. Medium would be for "regular" use, and heavy would be if you know you'll have a RTT, tons of gear, pull trailers, etc. I recommend heavy because it's there when you need it and the ride isn't rough at all.

The way I just set it up will come to $1700 which is really not bad for what you're getting. It also comes with those extra items I mentioned you should have, except for that ECGS bushing, which is here: https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

I abuse the hell out of mine and it absolutely rides better than stock.

 

[Sota166]

When this question is asked this way, I generally advise to do the same thing I did.

You need:

• Front coils/shocks
• Rear leaf spring replacement or add-a-leaf
• Rear shocks
• A spacer for the front driver side coil to compensate for "Taco lean"

You don't need, but should definitely have if you want to be doing it right the first time:

• Front upper control arms that can handle the extra travel of the new setup
• Extended rear brake lines (stock lines are long enough for full droop, but upgrading them is safer)
• A spacer for your driveshaft to lose some of the gained angle (carrier bearing)
• The ECGS bushing to replace the needle bearing in your front diff which is known to vibrate/wear out faster after lifting

Does this come in a kit? Not really, but HeadStrong Off-road creates kits to make this easier for us, and I recommend this one: https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p402/Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_w/_Dakars_(HS16BK-1-Dakar).html

• It will ask you to select your coil type - I recommend the 887.
• Then if you want your front coils/shocks assembled - I recommend doing that. Doing it yourself can be hard and/or dangerous.
• Then if you want those upper control arms I mentioned - I recommend the Light Racing option. They are inexpensive but really make a difference. They're also adjustable which can help with your tires rubbing.
• Then it will ask which leaf pack you want. Medium would be for "regular" use, and heavy would be if you know you'll have a RTT, tons of gear, pull trailers, etc. I recommend heavy because it's there when you need it and the ride isn't rough at all.

The way I just set it up will come to $1700 which is really not bad for what you're getting. It also comes with those extra items I mentioned you should have, except for that ECGS bushing, which is here: https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

I abuse the hell out of mine and it absolutely rides better than stock.

Awesome! This is a great start... I appreciate it! It sucks not knowing anything, lol...

 

[Sota166]

1. Oldman emu bp51 kit complete
2. Proper rims yo backspacing spec
3. Will it rub, yes ,can it be minimized without sledge hammer everything. YES
4. Anything to consider extra for the lift? Upper control arms if you overlanding thinkk about weight . The oldman emu dakars should handle pretty much everthing
5. Best to purchase and install in one place usually yea. Most company's will give you a deal on parts or labour if you do everthing via them

I appreciate the info!

 

[Tyler]

You will get familiar with it. I think the hardest part is when people try to help but say it as if you have previous experience. That is why I like to try to really break it down and make it clearer to understand.

 

[ShikyoX]

1700 wows so lucky great setup for the price

 

[Sota166]

You will get familiar with it. I think the hardest part is when people try to help but say it as if you have previous experience. That is why I like to try to really break it down and make it clearer to understand.

I agree! Thanks for that.

 

[Sota166]

1. Oldman emu bp51 kit complete
2. Proper rims yo backspacing spec
3. Will it rub, yes ,can it be minimized without sledge hammer everything. YES
4. Anything to consider extra for the lift? Upper control arms if you overlanding thinkk about weight . The oldman emu dakars should handle pretty much everthing
5. Best to purchase and install in one place usually yea. Most company's will give you a deal on parts or labour if you do everthing via them

Thanks for the help!

 

[ShikyoX]

Thanks for the help!

No worries I hop it was usefull

 

[Sota166]

When this question is asked this way, I generally advise to do the same thing I did.

You need:

• Front coils/shocks
• Rear leaf spring replacement or add-a-leaf
• Rear shocks
• A spacer for the front driver side coil to compensate for "Taco lean"

You don't need, but should definitely have if you want to be doing it right the first time:

• Front upper control arms that can handle the extra travel of the new setup
• Extended rear brake lines (stock lines are long enough for full droop, but upgrading them is safer)
• A spacer for your driveshaft to lose some of the gained angle (carrier bearing)
• The ECGS bushing to replace the needle bearing in your front diff which is known to vibrate/wear out faster after lifting

Does this come in a kit? Not really, but HeadStrong Off-road creates kits to make this easier for us, and I recommend this one: https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p402/Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_w/_Dakars_(HS16BK-1-Dakar).html

• It will ask you to select your coil type - I recommend the 887.
• Then if you want your front coils/shocks assembled - I recommend doing that. Doing it yourself can be hard and/or dangerous.
• Then if you want those upper control arms I mentioned - I recommend the Light Racing option. They are inexpensive but really make a difference. They're also adjustable which can help with your tires rubbing.
• Then it will ask which leaf pack you want. Medium would be for "regular" use, and heavy would be if you know you'll have a RTT, tons of gear, pull trailers, etc. I recommend heavy because it's there when you need it and the ride isn't rough at all.

The way I just set it up will come to $1700 which is really not bad for what you're getting. It also comes with those extra items I mentioned you should have, except for that ECGS bushing, which is here: https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

I abuse the hell out of mine and it absolutely rides better than stock.

Hey Tyler, would it make sense to bring this list into the shop I choose? Or would it better to order the list first and bring it with me?

 

[Tyler]

Hey Tyler, would it make sense to bring this list into the shop I choose? Or would it better to order the list first and bring it with me?

You would be better off ordering it and bringing it with you. There are some very good YouTube videos that show how to install it if you’d want to try doing it yourself.

 

[solscooter]

Get it cheap online and bring it somewhere. Thats what i did. Where to get installd up here?i have no clue.

 

[Tyler]

Get it cheap online and bring it somewhere. Thats what i did. Where to get installd up here?i have no clue.

Like I said earlier, that HeadStrong site would be the best place to order from for this. Unless you keep looking and manage to find something else.