Hello All!

I'm in the market to buy a new lift kit for my 02' Tacoma X/Cab and have read a lot of info about the different kits, but so far I haven't actually talked with anyone who owns the particular kits kits I've been looking at.

Could I get some feed-back from some of you who are using the following kits about some considerations I will want to keep in mind?

Here's the kits I've been looking at:
6" FabTech Performance Lift
4" Pro-Comp
3" RevTek

I need a kit that will give me great off-road performance, but will also provide a decent ride on the highway, as I use the truck for everyday use. Also, I use the truck for hauling and need a kit that will support a load in the rear!

Thanks for the info!
Scott

 

By the way, any suggestions on other suspension lift kits than what I've looked at are welcome!

 

i have a 2 inch cornfed spacer lift. so far i love it. but thats just what i have.

 

I haven't even heard of CornFed before, I'll take a look!
Thanks...

 

http://cornfedsuspension.com/

thats the site just incase you couldn't find it.

 

also check out http://www.toyteclifts.com/

 

Scott, you have 3 completely different lifts there. There's a lot more involved with that 6" lift. Does your truck have auto or manual hubs? With auto hubs you shouldn't go more than 3" max. What size tires are you looking to run? Personally, for a daily driver, I would try to stay in the 33" or less range. Take a look at Old Man Emu. They offer a nice ride and enough lift to run a 33. Take a look here.

 

Obviously, I'm new to wheeling and the options for my truck; That's why I appreciate your input and why I'm looking for help! Why shouldn't I go over 3" with auto hubs??

The guys at 4 Wheel Parts in my area say the FabTech lift is the best for my truck. I'm sure they want to sell me a lift, but why would they say 6" is fine for my purposes?

Thanks RJ!
Scott

Thanks
Scott

 

you should lift as much as needed but as little as possible.

 

I hate to say it, but I think they want to sell you a lift...and an expensive one at that! If you go over 3" with auto hubs, your front cv joints will bind up and break. The boots will also tear. The can only stand so much angle. With the 6" lift, you get a drop down bracket that allows your lower control arms to be at a more level angle so the cv joints aren't at a bad angle but you lose ground clearance. 6" of lift means you want 35's and from what I have read 35's on IFS is pretty hard on the front axle, though not impossible.

Probably the best setup would be a coil over (research Donahoe, Camburg, Downey) that is adjustable and will allow you to lift 0-3". You'll have a nice front lift and a really nice ride!

Might I suggest that you go look here and look at other people's trucks. Find the ones you want and note what suspension mods they have.

Hope this helps!

 

What about OME?

 

another vote here for Toytec

 

"I need a kit that will give me great off-road performance, but will also provide a decent ride on the highway, as I use the truck for everyday use. Also, I use the truck for hauling and need a kit that will support a load in the rear!"

Wow. What a wish list.

My $.02 (and I don't mean to be harsh) - Those 4" and 6" lifts are for street queens, and personally I would prefer not to offroad (or follow on the highway for that matter) someone who runs these. I just think they are cheesy. No offense to anyone who has these - honestly.

I ran revtek years ago (my first 4Runner lift), and it was okay. They are better now, 6 years later.

For your stated needs, check out SonoranSteel (even for just the info). OME may be a better bet for you since it will offer lift for better offroading, and strength for towing, but still maintain some decent ride-ability. Any change in your truck and you will be giving up something for something else, though.

 

Once you get that fancy drop-bracket Procomp 6" lift you won't be able to do anything else. Except SAC (don't even ask about putting a LT kit on it).

Food for thought.

 

Wow! Lots of great information at this site...I'm so glad I checked this site out!

Thank you all very much for your input!

I'll let you know what I decide a bit later!!

 

www.sonoransteel.com

the tundra coils up front will give you about 2 ish inches of lift.

 

I've been decently happy with the toytec cheepo spacer lift. i know there is much better lifts out there but this is my daily driver and i just wanted somthing simple. if 3" is not enough you can do what i did and put the 99 4wd
coils on for an additional 1"-1 1/2". i know fabtech has an awsome reputation though, if you can afford it that might be good route.

 

Donahoe Racing is the best option IMHO....

http://www.donahoeracing.com/product...&submit=Go+%3E

The coilovers ride excellent... adjustable. Hold a ton of extra weight on my rig: ARB bumper, SCr, Winch... Lots of flex. And if you ever catch air.... it lands nice.

My rig has the Donahoe (extended) coilovers, Total Chaos A-Arms, Revtek diff drop, front limit straps, rear ome springs/shocks

 

Hey Scott, Welcome to the site!!

You Really Need some of the Taco guys to give you some better Opinions, Alot of these guys so far are Like me a 4Runner owner.. slightly different lift kits!!
It all depends what you want to do with your truck.. Type of Off-Roading..etc..

One thing to think about is the "spacer" lifts do not add suspension travel, and tend to in time sag your springs!

You have a Taco so you have Leaf-springs in the rear, Your options with those is either; Lift Blocks, Add-Leaf, Longer Shackles, New Lift Leaf-springs

Now the front is a little more difficult;
Yes It is true about the max lift you should go with Stock CV's and Auto Hubs is about 2.5" and thats with a Front Diff drop Kit put in! Reason is for your CV angles; The more angle the more strain on the CV Joints and they will wear quicker.
Yes those "Bling" Coilovers are really good when it comes to fast, big hits but they do not like wet conditions, and they need to be rebuilt often.
There's also some really nice kits like Uni-ball upper control arms, and Long Travel Kits..

But Steve at www.sonoransteel.com is a good place to start..

Also Try Company's Like Downey Off-Road, Old Man Emu