sfg73

Looking to ad a 3-4" suspension lift on my 1998 Tacoma. What will I need, who makes the best product, and how much money?

jruz

You're either looking at a 3" spacer lift (a la Revtek, Cornbreds, etc.), a 3" lift via different springs (a la Old Man Emu, etc.), a 3" lift via coilovers (a la Fabtech, Sway-A-Way, etc.), or a 4" lift (a la ProComp).

It all depends on the big picture for you...
The 3" lifts are non-permanent, and generally offer a better ride, a little extra ground clearance, and let you fit bigger tires.

The 4" lifts are mostly permanent (unless you're handy with a welder), generally offer a better ride, no extra ground clearance at the differential, and let you fit bigger tires.

If money is not too much of an issue, go for the 3" lift first...and make sure it's the kinda thing you like.

Jim

cruizin01

Jim I wouldn't say that the 3" lifts give you a better ride especially if your looking to get 3 inches or better. I dont know how the spacers affect your ride first hand but I would imagine they pre-load your spring just like the longer coils get preloaded. If you have an extended cab your gonna be better off than I am becuase of the weight but I would say its still gonna ride pretty rough. I know my OME's do. Im thinking about SAW's but I dont know if their cranked up all the way if they'd ride any better than what I have now. I think I had about $800-900 in front coils, rear spring packs and shocks.

rowan

i have the SAWs in the front.. set at 2". but they will be going up to 3" soon, when i get the diff drop kit, ill let you know how the ride is then. they ride great right now. a little soft maybe. in the back i have Skyjacker AALs, and they are really stiff. i would imagine all AALs are. i have some 2.5" lift shackles that are going on.. daystars, that might be a good way to lift, it wouldn't effect the ride as much as AALs.

ps. i have the entire daystar 2.5" kit.. so if you want the front spacers, let me know.

jruz

Can't comment on the spacer lift, but I did get OME's and the ride improved greatly over stock. They really soak-up bumps better on rough roads.

Which OME's did you get for your Reg. Cab?

Jim

cruizin01

Ive got the 882's or the Heavy Duty if your not familar with the numbers. They are not really recommended if u dont have an x-cab or a bumper. I knew they would ride stiff as soon as I put the coils and shocks together. I had to compress the coils a TON to get the assy together. Ill bet when I got them put in and let the truck down on the ground it didn't droop more than 1 inch. I mean I like the idea of knowing what the truck is going to do as far as cornering and what not but damn they are stiff and i know that doesn't help my flex any Derek

jruz

Well damn...of course you have a rough ride with the 882's. You'd have a rough ride on mine too, with them. You'd need an X-cab with V6 to start getting a smoother ride.

You'd probably be alright with the 881's on your rig. My $0.02...

Jim

cruizin01

I had to flatten the pinch weld so I wouldn't rub with the 882's. I dont think I could get away with the 881's Maybe if I went to a 3" BL but I dont care for the 2" I have now so I guess ill stay with what I got

jruz

Might be the tire width?
I know of a Taco with coilovers that doesn't have a BL, but he runs 33x10s. I think he said it only rubs at extreme flex/turns.

Jim

cruizin01

Oh yeah Im pretty sure it is the tire width. I like the wider tires though. Pizza cutters just arent my style.:pat: