Opinions.....Lift & Suspenssion Related

[H0llYW00D]

I hop i have my lift figured out now but want some opinions about the parts that i have selected while working with a local shop. Originally I was going to go with Road Armour front and rear bumpers but the weight is to much and have heard enough bad things about them. So i have decied to go with an ARB bumper and these parts for the lift, i am looking for offroad performance, and still have some street mannors, so when I went to the shop today for a quote and work with them on a lift solution, we came up with this WALKER EVANS 2.5 FRONT COIL-OVERS for the front and Walker Evans 2.5 Rear Shocks with All-Pro 3" Lift Rear Leaf Springs anf then all the trimings to have it fit together and not strain the truck, also recomented All-Pro 4130 Chromoly Upper A-Arms, I know its much more money for this than the toytec but i want to do it right the first time and be able to use my truck off road and not worry about it. But im not going to get crazy off road it is a daily driver too.

[the_kernel114]

you will love the coilovers that is for sure. they make a huge difference in on and off road handling. you may want to get some 700 pound springs for the coilovers if you are going for a arb bumper as they are still quite heavy.

[H0llYW00D]

I must say I am rather confused at this point as to which kit or combination of parts will create the balance between off road performance and street manors that I am looking for. I had know idea when I starred down the rabbit whole that it would not be as simple as buy the "best" kit and pay the mo ey to get it done and away I would go. I am trying to find the parts to create a truck that has the street manors but good off road preformace that I need as the truck like most everyones here is a daily driver so I won't be beating it up. I plan to put the ARB bumper with a warn 9.5 xp winch on and the normal off road lights; a full set of bud built skids and tc lower contra, arm skids and dellemo sliders. I just haven't yet found the right parts to accomplish this and have a good 3" of lift.

I have been reluctant to post the dealer Im working with as im new to the scene and don't want to make waves but I do want to make sure I am making good decisions.

The first kit that I have stopped considering was the toytec ultimate kit. The second lift would be a compination of icon stage 4 shocks and coil overs and ome Dakar leafs. Of course with all the added parts of a proper lift.


Wow what a long post. Everyong insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again everyone.

[CalgaryRider]

if your trying to figure out how vehicles ride with the different suspensions, I would recommend just asking the guys to go for a ride in their trucks, both on and off road. That's what I did and for me the best fit was the full OME kit (Nitro Charger shocks, 885 coils, and Darkars)

There are a few guys who are running the OME kit, a few are running coil over kits, and a few have custom built set ups.

Just ask around, and go for rides. I will also echo what the_kernel said and go for heavier coils in the front if your doing an ARB bumper.

[H0llYW00D]

curious to know which one everyone might pick. Walker shocks and coil overs or Icon shocks and coil overs with remote reseviors?

[freeze]

This is a hard one... one thing to also look into is being able to get them re-built and what the cost is associated with a re-build down the road. Most of the shocks these days are getting to be pretty similar in build quality and performance. The Icon's almost look identical to the Fox which was interesting.

My Fox rear bodies didn't hold up to well to the salt this winter but this is because I didn't wax the bodies like the instructions said to do :D I'm sure I could use aluminum polish or something and make them look pretty. Chris K. mentioned his Walker Evan's made it through the winter amazingly well without wax or anything.

Coil-over's are pretty awesome.

I wish I could help in terms of which company to choose, I don't have enough hands on experience Icon or Walker Evans.

I can only offer Old Man Emu and FOX 2.5 and 2.0 Adjustable with Resi.

[Winch]

I can't really provide any opinion here, but just want to add a few comments. Make sure you research this well and take your time to decide, because as you can see there are many different options and all have a few pro's and con's. Perhaps consider searching other forums like TTORA and Tacomaworld as well.

As for the bumper, have you looked at the All-pro bumper. It's got a couple nice features that I like.

[Shift-E-eyes]

+1 research!

I did hella research when it came to replacing my stock suspension with my OME nitros and coils. and if I knew then what I know now about coilovers, I would have done icons or such up front..but I'm still happy with the OME's cuz I can upgrade them easily.

[H0llYW00D]

I think I finally have my parts list sorted out for my 3" lift build that I will do this winter. I am curious to know what everyone thinks of the part and if there are any parts that I need that I forgot.

Icon 05-Up Tacoma Remote Reservoir Front Coil-over Shock Kit [5-8730]
Icon 05-Up Tacoma Rear Reservoir Shocks [5-7505]
Dever Springs Custom 3" Lift Leaf Pack
Dever Springs U-Bolts
Total Chaos 05+ Toyota Tacoma U.C.A.[96504]
Toytec Front Diff drop kit [TAC-DR-05]
Toytec Zinc Axle Shims (3 Degree) 05 & UP Tacoma [TT-RS-846]

I might eventually add these parts to the suspension:

Total Chaos Stock Uniball Lower Control Arms with Dual Shock Capability [86500]
Total Chaos Dual 2.5” Shock Hoop System [86602]
Icon Secondary Front Shock

[FrankG]

Thats a very nice parts list and do exactly what "Winch" said do lots of researche because there are tons of different option's out there. You'll definetly be happy with the ARB front bumper. ARB has a very good reputation, at first I was gonna go with the All-pro bumper but found a wicked deal on an ARB bumper. What I did for suspension stuff was on the front I used the OME 885 springs with there nitrocharge shocks I also put a 1" spacers which leveled the the truck, also did a diff drop. On the rear I did the All-pro 3"leaf pack with the OME nitrocharge shock and the All-pro u-bolt flip kit. I haven't noticed any real difference in street driving with the truck it feels the same. And as for off-road driving I haven't done much with it yet only one little mud hole and thats about it, but it performed well

[the_kernel114]

I think I finally have my parts list sorted out for my 3" lift build that I will do this winter. I am curious to know what everyone thinks of the part and if there are any parts that I need that I forgot.

Icon 05-Up Tacoma Remote Reservoir Front Coil-over Shock Kit [5-8730]
Icon 05-Up Tacoma Rear Reservoir Shocks [5-7505]
Dever Springs Custom 3" Lift Leaf Pack
Dever Springs U-Bolts
Total Chaos 05+ Toyota Tacoma U.C.A.[96504]
Toytec Front Diff drop kit [TAC-DR-05]
Toytec Zinc Axle Shims (3 Degree) 05 & UP Tacoma [TT-RS-846]

I might eventually add these parts to the suspension:

Total Chaos Stock Uniball Lower Control Arms with Dual Shock Capability [86500]
Total Chaos Dual 2.5” Shock Hoop System [86602]
Icon Secondary Front Shock

you won't need the diff drop or 3 degree axle shims, as the diff drop does nothing but rotate the diff and does not help you cv angles, if you are going with the deaver springs the 3 degree shims will rotate the rear axle to far and you will be putting more stress on the u-joints and possibly create some vibes. the total chaos lower control arms are nice but in reality you will most likely never need them unless you wanna start desert racing, the only time you will need a second bypass shock is if you are hitting whoops at 100km/h and jumping your truck. the parts list you have compiled is extremely nice and i highly doubt that you will not love it.

[Doc McCoy]

you won't need the diff drop or 3 degree axle shims, as the diff drop does nothing but rotate the diff and does not help you cv angles, if you are going with the deaver springs the 3 degree shims will rotate the rear axle to far and you will be putting more stress on the u-joints and possibly create some vibes. the total chaos lower control arms are nice but in reality you will most likely never need them unless you wanna start desert racing, the only time you will need a second bypass shock is if you are hitting whoops at 100km/h and jumping your truck. the parts list you have compiled is extremely nice and i highly doubt that you will not love it.

I'm rolling in the previous gen but I agree that you should hold off on the diff drop and shims 'till it looks like you'll need 'em.

As for everything else. I LOVE my Icons. I've only run them and the stock suspension so take that with a grain of salt but I am running a very similar setup with the 'xtended Icons and the TC UCAs in the front (Deavers in the back). I don't have an external resevoir on my 2.5s and I've never had a problem with it offroad.

[Boz]

If your still interested in the All-pro upper A-Arms I have a set of All-pro 4130 Chromoly Upper A-Arms. Only on the vehicle for 10 km. Basically brand new. Please message me to get more info.

[Winch]

if you are going with the deaver springs the 3 degree shims will rotate the rear axle to far and you will be putting more stress on the u-joints and possibly create some vibes.

Sorry, but I don't think I agree with this statement. The very reason why you would want to shim the rear axle after a lift is to line the U-joints up like they were before the lift and by doing so avoid possible vibes. So it actually decrease the stress on the joints, unless what you are saying is that 3 degrees is too much.

[the_kernel114]

Sorry, but I don't think I agree with this statement. The very reason why you would want to shim the rear axle after a lift is to line the U-joints up like they were before the lift and by doing so avoid possible vibes. So it actually decrease the stress on the joints, unless what you are saying is that 3 degrees is too much.

deaver takes into account the 2 or 3 degrees needed to keep the pinion angle proper when making there springs, so there is no need for 3 degree axle shims. now i know every truck is a little different, but i wouldn't spend the money on those axle shims when you most likely will not need them.

[freeze]

Most aftermarket leafs like OME, All-Pro, Deaver... you don't need shims. You may however if you go over 3" in the back need a carrier bearing drop. They're just spacer's for your carrier bearing under the bed.