WHAt would you do?

[fightman80]

Sorry for the repost... but wanted to get as much feedback as possible!

Alright folks... it's been months now, and I can't decide what lift to go with for the Taco!

I'm thinking of going with a 6" Bracket lift, and 35" tires.... the truck is SUPER long.. and I find this lift looks pretty bad ass on this truck! Here's a pic for reference...

If I get this lift... I'm looking at huge bucks, with mods to the Driveshaft, gearing, and the lift itself costs over $1500.00 plus install costs.. if I don't do it myself.

Next is the 3" lift with 33's. It uses springs and shocks, and is more of a traditional lift, but could mean having to replace the upper control arms, which will put me close to the same cost as the 6" lift.

Here's a pic for reference....

What do you guys think?? I've always been a fan of the bigger trucks... and find can't help but want to go big with this longer taco. I know it's a Mall Crawler setup... but we all know that I don't wheel my trucks.... lol!

 

[shadow247]

If you are thinking about going big, and can afford it, GO FOR IT! No one will be mad at you for building a big truck.

Is there no way to fit 35s without doing the bracket lift? I would go for the suspension lift and body lift before I would do the bracket lift.

 

[Doc2012]

What are you going to be using the truck for?

Gonna be a mall crawler? Do the big lift.

Gonna actually USE it for crawling? Do the moderate lift with the tires.

 

[Coastal616]

Bro'd out trucks with bracket lifts are lame. So is getting in and out of them every day.

 

[Stockwell45]

Just remember, there is no going back with bracket lifts. It's there for life.

 

[the great him]

I agree with [MENTION=47153]Stockwell45[/MENTION], they are permanent. Also its much harder to use the truck as a truck with a big lift... Have you ever tried loading bags or concrete or other things into the back of a truck... And if you have any back issues this will not help at all... I personally hate the big lifts because they make the truck next to useless. Except for maybe towing... But then again Tacomas arent really tow rigs... -also consider the fact that if you go with the big lift you might not be able to fit into some parking garages or your own garage...

Bottom line though is, its your rig, and your money, so what you want don't do something because one of us hates it or love it ect... Do it because you like it/want it.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I agree with what the others have said about the bracket lift. However, if you are going by looks only, the 6" bracket lift and 35" tires looks way better.

Good luck.

 

[TCMach]

Go big or go home...:guitar2: I think those trucks with big lifts look sweet!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Please don't bracket lift it. Please. I love your 4Runner and I'm looking forward to what you make of the Taco. I'll be very disappointed if you go with a bracket lift.

It's your truck so do as you will but I'd really like to see you go a different route.

 

[brian2sun]

I would go with the regular lift and 33s personally. Opinions aside, a bracket lift will devalue your truck if you decide to sell it.

 

[ryankmasuda]

If its a mall crawler do the 3" lift and stuff the 35's in there. Speed bumps and potholes won't rip your fenders off and atleast if you go to sell it later you can remove the lift and sell it as stock.

 

[blizz86]

Ive seen a few tacos around my area i the 6".. it looks freaking sick.

That said, i would rather do the 3" since its just that much practical. :wink2:

 

[downpour11]

fightman you should know better on those drop bracket lifts! I agree with ryankmasuda though, 3" it with some 35's. That way if you decide to sell it or god forbid, wreck it, you can rip out the suspension and sell it along with the tires and wheels. You know it's gonna be cheaper to put some nice coilovers and a rear setup possibly with resi's than to buy a fagtech drop bracket and have it installed.

 

[rebelbowtie]

6" lift if you plan on mall crawling! IMO it is the traditional way to lift an IFS vehicle but it kind of sucks for off road. You aren't changing the spring rates or performance of the suspension just making it taller.

Break over and approach or increased but ground clearance(tires change that) isn't changed and COG is now higher. So if you're going to wheel it then IMO get the shorter, better tuned suspension lift.

 

[downpour11]

6" lift if you plan on mall crawling! IMO it is the traditional way to lift an IFS vehicle but it kind of sucks for off road. You aren't changing the spring rates or performance of the suspension just making it taller.

Break over and approach or increased but ground clearance(tires change that) isn't changed and COG is now higher. So if you're going to wheel it then IMO get the shorter, better tuned suspension lift.

Yeah I was just thinking that... If you do get the drop bracket lift and see it all awesomely tall and on 35's you're just gonna wanna wheel it... but then come to the realization that you really can't...:violin: LOL

 

[Bandit Runner]

How about a regular 3" lift, and then add a 1.5 or 2" body lift. Then you could fit 35's too.

 

[Dous]

How about a regular 3" lift, and then add a 1.5 or 2" body lift. Then you could fit 35's too.

Absolutely, those 2nd gen Tacoma's fit bigger tires pretty easily with minor trimming....

I know a couple people running 35's with just suspension lifts and trimming

 

[fightman80]

Well thanks for all the feedback folks. I actually looked into the body lift option to add to the 33" Suspension lift, but was told by a few guys over there, that it wouldn't work???!!!

I'm finding that alot of guys over there, tend to have more money than Know how, and like to throw money at their trucks, rather than try something new.

I searched high and low, and only found 2 guys on that forum that run something other than OME or Toytec setups. Most have 3" lifts with 33's, and those who don't, run Fabtech or Procomp lifts, or even RCV 4" lifts.

I'm NEVER going to be wheeling this truck, but plan on using it for real world stuff, like hauling lumber, dirt, and other household duties. I need the truck to stay useful, but really like the look of 6" lift and 35's!! lol!

I'm really leaning toward the 3" lift and 33's, mainly because it's familiar, and relatively inexpensive. However, some say that after market upper Control arms are needed, in order to keep decent suspension geometry, which brings the total cost of the lift, pretty close to a Fabtech setup! lol!

I was planning on doing the Fabtech lift on my own, with the help of LD Forget, as he's had experience installing them on Fords.... but really thinking of just going with the 3" for the reasons I noted above.

THanks again for all the feedback, and anybody else wanting to comment... please do... I'm still on the fence!

 

[zgensler31]

So take this opinion with a grain of salt, cuz I don't know much about bracket lifts other then the fact that [MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION] absolutely hates them(I'm remembering a thread that almost specifically bashed them)

1.You said that you love the look of the six inch and 35's, which I do also.

2. You do things right, and do them right the first time, so the 3 inch suspension will most likely include the uca's setting you at the same price oont for 3 inch and six inch.

Since you are never going to wheel it, and it is primarily for looks, go with the look you like more.....six inch Fabtech

 

[the great him]

my sister inlaw has a new tacoma, and i could run my 285s on her truck easier(read with more clearance) than i can on my 4runner -both being stock height... now i have lifted my 4runner, but she is keeping her truck stock. anyhow my point is, that if its easier to fit a bigger tire on the new tacoma, ie they have more fender room and bigger fender wells, then i see no reason why you can not run 35s on a tacoma with 3" coilover setup and a 1-2" BL. i know they make BLs for the tacomas.

also a lot of people on here say that you need to run after market UCA with a lift... but truth is you dont, and you know this. does it help put everything back to, or as close to factory specs and make adjusting things easier, sure, but it is not a must have or requirement. i say run a set of 33x12.50x17s(bigger than most 285 or 295s) on a 3" coilover setup. if you get tired of it or its too low after a year or so, then toss in a body lift. but remember the higher you go, the harder it is to use it as a truck.