Dream come true

[BigRedDog]

Hello TRDoffroad 

I've been a toyota fan for a long time and have owned an 86' 2wd pickup and a 92' Celica. The 86' died in 05' with 282,000 miles on the original engine, best $100 I ever spent, it lasted me 3 1/2 years I have wanted a new Tacoma ever since and I am going to be able to get one when I get back to the States in May. So I have been doing alot of research on how to customize and that's how I found this site. This is what I have come up with so far:

Performance Accessories 3" lift kit #5603
Gap Guard #6337
Mickey Thompson Classic Lock II 15 or 16"
Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ Radial 33"
Undercover Tonneau Cover
K&N intake
BedRug
Window Tint
Ramsey Profile8000 Winch
ExtremeAir Compressor
2Gallon Air Tank
Thule 60" Tracks (TB60) on tonneau cover

Alpine iva w205
Blackbird PMD-B200
Scosche TA2053B Double DIN
JL Slash series 500/1
JL Slash series 300/4
JL Audio TR350-Cxi 3.5"
JL Audio VR650-Cxi 6.5"
JL Audio VR690-Cxi  6"X9"
Tsunami Capacitor 2 Farad
Infiniti Perfect 12d (already own)

It will be my dream truck when I am all done!

Talk to you all soon

[Matt]

 

Dang, that's quite a wish list you got there!!! Where are you at right now? Are you serving overseas? It will be an awesome truck when you get all this put on, no doubt. What made you decide to go with a body lift kit over say a 3" suspension setup?

[BigRedDog]

Actually after introducing myself I read some more on the forums  and saw why people were recomending suspension lifts and started considering them more. I initialy wanted a BL just so I could fit bigger tires under it, but now I am seeing that a 3" lift will still have some rub with 33's. This is going to be my daily driver, so I am not looking to build a offroad monster. I am big into the outdoor lifestyle, so my goal is to build up a truck that enhances that. The winch and air compressor aren't offroad bling for me, they are tools that add utility.

So if I am looking for the right suspension combination right now, this is my first "build", so alot of self education going on. I am looking at two suspension options. Either a 3" suspension lift and a 2" body lift, or a straight 5-6" suspension lift, the smallest possible lift to get 33x12.5 under the truck with no rubbing in any position, or CV destruction. The main thing that I'm facing is my lack of experience, I don't know how things will effect the truck, I'm still trying to keep it street practicle.

I am in the Philippines right now. As far as my progress on the truck, I have the loan preapproved, and have already spoken with the local dealer. I'll call him 1 month before I return, and he'll have it waiting for me when I get there Everything else I will be working through Bucks 4x4 in Boise Idaho. It will be a little more spendy than buying off the net, but you have to support your local shops 

[SD YODA]

hey BRD, first off welcome. hope tihs site guides you in the direction you wanna go with your new toy.

the wish list is impressive to say the least. as you mentioned, a BL is a nice cheap option to go with bigger tires on your truck, but if you are looking for more utility, keep in mind that a BL does not increase your ground clearance any except for the tires you place on there. at least the combined lift between a suspension lift and tires will ensure you wont have many ground clearance issues unless you get into mean nasty stuff.

if you wanna fit some 33's under your truck without rubbing, have you considered about ditching the expensive 16" wheel sizes and go to a 15" wheel? this would allow you to find a skinnier tire in order to tuck the tire away from your frme rail and some of your front valance. with a 15" wheel, youll find that 33's will be available in a 33x9.50, 33x10.50, and even a 33x12.50. chances are youll wanna keep it under the 12.50 width and 15x8 wheel to keep it from rubbing much.

another alternative to running a 33 is to shim your a-arms forward but that may take some more work to get it right, and may still rub under full compression depending on your lift.

whatever you are looking to do, there's pleanty of guys who know from experience so dont hold back on any more questions you may have.

[BigRedDog]

Well, two more weeks of research into it and I have found out what a slippery slope modding your truck is 

I wanted bigger tires, so I needed a lift, the first lift wasn't enough, so I'm getting a bigger lift, but now the tires look small under the lift, so I am up to 35 x 12.5's I will definately have the suspension and tires I need though. On the Fabtech lift I found out that the blocks can cause issues, including increasing the chance for axle wrap. So after I drive the truck a bit I will get a Deaver rear end under the truck. Also with the Fabtech front end you can't run anything smaller than a 17" rim do to their geometry, which isn't a big deal, not to much more money. The cherry on top is now that I'm up to 35's I may need to regear to get some torque and gas milage back, very slippery slope

My list has grown now to include the All Pro trail armor system and some other things, but it is now broken up into priorities, I just can't do it all at once But that's ok, anticipation makes it fun 

Thanks for the warm welcome SD, much better welcome than some other places

This is close to what the suspension and tires will look like when it's done.

[Matt]

Dang...keep us up to date on this thing.

[mytacoma]

Dang...keep us up to date on this thing.

Yea. soumds like a sweet ride!