All right guys. I am under the impression that most people who subscribe to this site jones on SAS when it comes to lifting a truck. My 03 taco has stock suspension but I would like to fit either 33s or 35s (with some gearing mods if necessary and so forth).

I am trying to get input on how much lift is necessary for these sizes of tires on my daily driver on a college student budget.

As for what I hear about coil spacer lifts, they seem more for cosmetic purposes and I would prefer to get best functionability out of my truck.

I can get 2.0-3.0 lift from a straight coil-over/leaf spring swap with a diff drop. Is this enough?

Pro Comp makes a 4 inch differential drop lift. This lift costs about as much as the DR coil-over/leaf spring swap lift with a bit more lift, however the installation will be more taxing. What is the input on this system and can I fulfill my tire needs?

Rancho has a 5-inch different drop kit that uses spacers (I would switch those to probably DR coil-overs). Is this what is necessary?

Or am I totally off with this and I need the SAS? The only issue is I don't have several grand to fork over on this.

20 responses about how staying with IFS is a waste of my time is not helpful. But positive input is very much appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

IMHO - just go wheeling with what you have.
Cost - NUTHIN

You'll have just as much fun and more money for other things...

Like putting 10% of your money into savings so you can retire at 50 and go wheeling FULL TIME while people who blew their money on fancy lifts have to wheel on the weekends until they are 70.....

Have you priced gearing mods - that cost MORE than alot of lifts do.

Wheeling is ALOT about the driver and LESS about the truck's suspension...

I know on the onlder IFS a 33" can be fit with a slight torsion bar crank and the use of a hammer on the front seam. (i.e. FREE) Not sure about the Taco.

 

'They' say that you need 3" to cleaer 33's but you can get away with less if you plan to hammer the pinch weld, or even chop your fenders. Bud from Budbuilt, (with lots of chopping and hammering) has 35" BFG MT's on his Taco on 3" Lift.

 

Chris,

From a guy with the same truck as you...

I have a spacer lift. Although not the greatest, works well, and for $180, for the front spacer and soft ride AAL AND diff drop, I'd say it's been worth the money. I do wheel this truck, as the scrapes and Arizona pinstriping will attest to. Ewong is right about the gearing. If you want bigger tires and you want to keep you mileage, you're gonna have to regear. We have 4:10 gears in our Tacomas. I am running 285's right now, and staying around 17 mpg city, if I don't hot rod it.

In my opinion, if you have the money to go with coilovers and Deavers, go with that. You'll be happy with it. I just don't have that kind of money at the moment, but I suppose eventually I will go that route, at least in the back.

Tires make a difference. Get good AT's. Search around, and you'll find plenty of opinions on which is the best.

But I am with Ewong... Wheel what you've got until you can upgrade. These little Tacoma's are pretty amazing straight out of the box. You don't have to be rocking a SFA to enjoy wheeling. Hone your skills before modding your truck, you'll be happier in the long run.

Just my 2c.

 

33's requires very little lift.

35's require trimming, unless you go bracket lift.

 

I did a 2" SAW C/O lift with Alcan 98 leafs on the rear..I can get 33" under mine easy..Rides alot better than stock...Have a few kinks to work out but very pleased with the results..

 

Truthfully, I was shocked how capable my tacoma was "straight out of the box." The only problems I have ever had while wheelin were ground clearance problems (and occasionally annoying passengers, but they usually don't get a second round).

So I am looking for ways to boost ground clearance. Probably tires and a lift are the best way.

I am not too concerned about SAS until I have the money and this truck isnt my daily driver anymore, my question is just how much lift clearance do I need for those tires.

Thanks for all the input!

btw, so long as this is my daily driver, I plan on going with A/Ts. I had the BFG MTs on my old 89 jeep and don't want to deal with the sound and mileage loss again.