Can this be any good as a lift?

[Schattenjager]

Forgive the Newb questions - but you guys MADE me buy the Tacoma...

I just found this link http://www.toyteclifts.com/0507tacocart.html#0507tacoliftkits

and it seems a bit too good to be true. I was looking for a bolt in (read: easy install) and saw:
3” Lift Coil Kit with AAL
Is this just to get some lift for looks? It would seem to me that I would need new shocks to cope with the added lift. Also, is there any attention that needs to be give to dive line components such as the transfer case or drive shafts if you lift a Tacoma?

This is in consideration for a 2005 Tacoma XCab. Many Thanks! More annoyance to come!!!
:REAdvRockClimber:

 

[asteffes]

It's going to ride like ass and have poor flexibility at the same time. You're basically stuff a taller, stiffer spring into the factory shocks which are already operating at the limit, IMO. Adding a spacer makes this even worse, as you're forcing the shock to operate at the limit of its extension travel. You'll lose droop travel in front and also experience a very harsh ride. The TRD Bilsteins are not true Bilsteins in that they are not as robust as aftermarket Bilsteins, especially if you're running a spacer. It's mall wheeler stuff.

AAL kits are also known to develop squeaks and ride more harshly than a custom leaf pack. That said, AALs are an inexpensive way to get more height in the rear of the truck.

I would stay away from a simple coil swap in front unless you also plan to use some OME or aftermarket Bilstein shocks in the front, as well. But then you approach the cost of a set of quality coilovers, which will ride like a dream and also give you ride height adjustability down the road if/when you add a bumper, winch or other front-end weight.

FWIW, I think the Donahoe Racing suspension is well worth the cost. It works very, very well and I doubt you'll find yourself wishing you went with another option. Combine it with an AAL or custom leaf pack and you're set. That will run you around $1500 with the AAL or about $2k with the custom leaf pack.

 

[Grim Reaper]

It's a lift but since you are using stock coils just spacing them down you are going to have the same wheel travel on the front. Down travel is what you want for wash board roads. Anything you can do that will improve wheel travel is desirable for higher speed travel on wash board. Looking at TC web site they are showing changing out the A-Arms to get a ball joint with more range of travel and clearance on the coil. www.chaosfab.com

I am trying to find a picture that shows me what is the limiter of travel. My older truck has rubber bumpers on the control arms. As near as I can tell the strut also acts at the limit of travel on your truck. If so then it will ride like stock up front as long as you don't bind the ball joints or CV's. Might get into a little bit of a camber problem but there may be enough adjustment in the lower control arm eccentrics to correct it.

If you are low speed bumping around and just want to get a little lift and bigger tires for ground clearance and a little extra cargo capacity...looks like a good cost effective lift that will retain near stock ride.

If you are wanting high speed. Save your Penney's and go for a long travel from TC or other companies and custom rear springs.
www.camburg.com
www.chaosfab.com

 

[Grim Reaper]

It's going to ride like ass and have poor flexibility at the same time. You're basically stuff a taller, stiffer spring into the factory shocks which are already operating at the limit, IMO. Adding a spacer makes this even worse, as you're forcing the shock to operate at the limit of its extension travel. You'll lose droop travel in front and also experience a very harsh ride. .

I stand corrected. I thought the spacer went on top of the assembly. Found the assembly instruction and where the main lift comes from...Yes thats will make it worse on wash board roads and decrease wheel travel.

That's a mall lift.

 

[Schattenjager]

You folks rock!

 

[Lost Canadian]

The Toytec kit is nothing more then ARB/Old Man Emu coils with a 0.5" spacer that mounts on top. I would ditch the spacer and just go with OME springs. After market shocks will be better for controling spring movement but won't do much to effect travel. From what I understand both the OME and Bilstein replacements work in the same range of travel as the stock shocks, a good thing because you don't want to over extend your CV's or ball joints. Here is a little info on the OME coils.

The OME 885 & 886 coils are recommended for the '05+ Taco and the 884 will also work. The 884 has a free spring height of 385mm, the 885 is 395mm, and the 886 is 402mm. The 884 and 885 spring rates are identical at 590 and the 886 is 660.

The 885 coils are recommended for stock/120-lbs weight added and said to be adequate for the ARB/equivalent bumper w/o winch netting 1.75" manufacturer-advertised lift.

The 886 coils are recommended for ARB w/winch application, also with manufacturer-advertised net lift of 1.75"; with user claims of 2.0"-2.25" net lift.

The OME coils are not a bad option if you're price conscious. The magic with a coilover lies more in the shock damping more so then the spring that's around it, unless you want/need a performance shock for added cooling and added contol of spring deflection the OME coils are a good option. The 884 and 885 springs without a heavy bumper should net you in the area of 2-2.5" of lift. Lift is lift regardless if it comes from a coilover type system like Donahoes or simply a longer spring, or a spacer for that matter. Donahoe coils have a spring rate of around 650 lb the OME's are 590 so they should ride pretty close to stock at that mark. They will be a little firmer due to the slightly increased load rating and the increased deflection angle of the control arms due to lift, but the same can be said for any type of suspension lift which increases the angle of the control arms and has a higher spring rate.

 

[Schattenjager]

Now that is the kinda solid information I'm looking for! Thanks a bunch for taking the time to list and explain the data!

I'll use an ARB but no winch, so the 885's should go up front.

What about the rear? Comfort as a daily driver with little more than 600 pounds ever going in the back is the rule...

 

[Lost Canadian]

Deaver 10 leafs are very nice. That's what I have now. They're not really up to the challenge of holding a heavy load which has me currently exploring other options with a higher payload capacity.... But for day to day type things with light loads, and good off-road flex they work and feel wonderfull. Mine are paired with a set of firm OME shocks. A pair of Bilsteins would also be a good option.