[CindiJS]

I've been doing alot of reading on this forum and a couple of other forums. I have a 03 Tacoma (Pre-Runner). It's only 2WD, but I want to lift it. I've basically decided on either the 4" Pro Comp lift, or a 2 1/2" spacer lift with shackles in the rear. My dilema is this....first I have to say, it will be a pavement pounder and won't be off road. I just like the looks of the lifted pickup's and that's my main reason for lifting it. I use to have a 01' Jeep TJ, and it was lifted 4". I did rock crawling with it, but don't really want to tear up my truck by taking it off road.

Anyhow....I've read an article that someone posted on another thread, about all the different ways to lift a tacoma. The Pro's and Con's have got me stumped. So here's my questions......If I do the Pro Comp lift, with the blocks in the rear, I'm concerned with the axle wrap. I have a problem with my tacoma (that alot of others have said they also have), and that is when I come to a stop, the rear end seems to clunk forward. It feels like someone has run into the back of me. Other's have said that it seems to be a normal thing with toyota tacoma's and the dealers can't seem to find a way to fix it. I read on another board where some said when they do a small lift, it seems to help fix the problem. So will or do you think the blocks with the pro comp lift will make this problem worse? And if anyone has the pro comp lift...how do you like it?

If I do the 4" kit, I want to run 33's (like a 285/75R16). If I do the spacer lift (2 1/2" with shackles in the rear) I will most likely run a 32" tire (265/75R16). The tires will be BFG AT KO's. Hopefully you guys can help me make up my mind as to what to do. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[elgecko]

I had the ProComp 3.5" blocks and the axle wrap was horrendous. If you're experiencing axle wrap now, the blocks will only amplify it.

 

[Breathegood]

Can't comment on the specifics of the Pro-Comp lift, but if axle wrap is a concern for you, an Add-A-Leaf will help control it better than shackles will. You could do the Pro-Comp lift in the front and ditch the blocks for an AAL and shackle in the rear for about 4". Running blocks will definately amplify any axle wrap problems that you are experiencing.

 

[CindiJS]

Thanks. After I read that on the custom taco forum, I really started thinking long an hard about doing the pro comp lift. Do you think the spacer and shackle combo will affect the axle wrap? My dad says that what I'm having isn't axle wrap. But according to the another forum I was reading, the guys on there said that's what the dealer is calling this clunking thing.

 

[CindiJS]

Does the AAL make the truck ride stiffer or rougher? My dad (he's into jeeps and he has a grand lifted about 5") says that the AAL will make it ride really bad. So that's one reason I was staying away from an AAL.

 

[renzo626]

The AAL will make it ride stiffer but its good if you haul stuff in your bed (gives greater load carrying capacity from what I have read). I'm planning on doing a spacer and shackle combo but worried about my truck sitting level afterward (I was going to get toytec 2.5" front spacers, Downey rear shackle, and Bilstein 5100 shocks for the rear when they become available again). This is way cheaper than the procomp lift and with a 2WD you don't have to worry about the CV shaft angle issues for the front so If money's an issue I would go with the spacer/shackle or spacer/AAL and trash the blocks. Don't know if that would clear 33's without a Body lift though. That's all the info I can give you from my POV.

 

[Breathegood]

Well, ride quality is pretty subjective. Will an AAL stiffen the ride? Yes definately. Will an AAL ride poorly? Not necessarilly. I've been on my AAL for 25k miles and I'm pretty happy with the way it rides. The key is to get the longest AAL you can and pair it with quality shocks. The AAL I have is a Downey 2.5" and I was told the nicest riding AAL for the Taco (with the exception of the 3-leaf Deaver AAL pack). I have it paired with Bilstien 5100 shocks and I think the ride is good. It is noticably stiffer, but not as skiddish on say...high speed washboard. It's a truck, it's supposed to ride like a truck, and that's what the AAL did for me. Combine that with a 1.5" shackle and you'll have your 4" lift with reduced axle wrap, and an all around better setup than lift blocks. Ideally, the AAL or block is just a temporary solution until you can pony up for a new leafpack anyway

 

[CindiJS]

Renzo, thanks. Occassionally I carry things in my truck for business (paint, joint cement), but nothing really heavy. I think I'll go with the spacers and shackles. I do however have a fiberglass tonneau cover on my truck. It might be considered heavy and might help with the AAL. I saw a 2 1/2" spacer lift and shackle combo on a tacoma (2000) that 4 wheel parts did. It looked pretty good. But when they put the truck up next to my truck, they were about the same height. I don't know whether it was a pre-runner or not, but the guy was running 265/75R16's on it with the new lift. Thanks for you input.

 

[CindiJS]

Thanks for all your comments everyone. You've been a big help. Pro Comp blocks are out. I still may just go with the smaller lift (2 1/2" spacers, shackles) and just run 32's. I will look into the downey AAL and find out what that will set me back. Income tax refund will be here next week and I wanta go get the truck fixed up ASAP. Then I just have to find someone to install it all, unless I just get the smaller lift from 4 wheel parts.

 

[04RedLobster]

isn't the procomp 4" lift like 1000? i have no clue about them...but if they do cost that much..i would go with the 2.5 spacer lift and shackles or aal your chioce.

I'm running 3" toytec spacers and 2" cornfed. The ride is a little stiff..but it rides a lot better than stock IMHO..

since you are doing for looks i would say go with the 2.5 spacer lift and put 32" because as soon as you think about going with 33" you might want to regear because of poor gas mileage which is another 1000 or so...

some people regear some don't...i'm just assuming you have a v6...but you will see a performace lost if you go with 33"

 

[04RedLobster]

Thanks for all your comments everyone. You've been a big help. Pro Comp blocks are out. I still may just go with the smaller lift (2 1/2" spacers, shackles) and just run 32's. I will look into the downey AAL and find out what that will set me back. Income tax refund will be here next week and I wanta go get the truck fixed up ASAP. Then I just have to find someone to install it all, unless I just get the smaller lift from 4 wheel parts.

4wp? well i would try to stay away from them...IMHO..they have poor customer service and a lot of workers there don't know what they are talking about..

 

[CindiJS]

Actually the pro comp kit is/would cost me $2050 installed out the door. If I do the spacer and shackle lift, it will be $800 out the door installed. Which I know is stil alot of money to have that done. But, I have no idea how to do it myself. I don't know anyone that can help me do it, so I have to pay someone else to do it. I know another guy here in Houston that does lifts, rebuilds everything 4x4. He's really good, but he's expensive too. My dad has had him do all the lifting on his grand cherokee. I think my dad has probably spent around 8 grand on fixing his jeep up with OX lockers, new differenials, new axles....you name it...he's had it done.

I've already thought about the gas mileage and power loss. That's another reason I'm wanting to just stay with the smaller lift. (for now anyhow). I'm going to go on a 4x4 Off Road Event in about 8 days. We've gone every year for the past 5 years. I use to take my TJ and rock climb with it. But I really hated tearing it up as it was my DD. My mom has a Rubicon and she' LOVES to take it out and wheel it. My dad and brother also have grand cherokee's and they're taking their jeeps too. It will be alot of fun. There will be about 100 4x4 vehicles there. I'm hoping to see some tacoma's like mine there and ask them questions too. I will be the photographer for my family and anyone else that will want a copy of the video. I put the video on DVD. It turns out really good. But anyhow that's another topic.....Thanks for all the replies.

 

[CindiJS]

4wp? well i would try to stay away from them...IMHO..they have poor customer service and a lot of workers there don't know what they are talking about..

Yeah, I know 4 wheel parts isn't the greatest, but it's about the only choice I have. Unless.....you want to make a road trip and come install it for me....LOL.

 

[yotoder]

dude, look at cornfed suspension i have the 3 inch with add a leaves and my truck rides fine. before i chaged wheels my truck rode a lopt worse but now that i changed wheels it rides smooth. it rides as good as my wifes stock d cab. later

 

[CindiJS]

dude, look at cornfed suspension i have the 3 inch with add a leaves and my truck rides fine. before i chaged wheels my truck rode a lopt worse but now that i changed wheels it rides smooth. it rides as good as my wifes stock d cab. later

This dude is a dudette...LOL. My husband is the dude in our family. I emailed cornfed and they recommended the pre-runner kit. It's only a 2 1/2" spacer kit, and David said if I wanted to run 33's I should then get a 1" BL. Can you put a 3" CF spacer kit on a pre-runner?

 

[yotoder]

are you asking if it will fit, or what? im sure your huband can install it if you order it it isnt hard to do at all. i put mine on my 98 4x4 in about 3 hrs. sa far as a 3inch fitting i dont know. if he says use the pre runner kit thats what id do. i love my cornfed and i would not trade it for anyother spacer lift out there. i have 32s because i dont really want a body lift. good luck with it.

 

[synovus]

Yeah, I know 4 wheel parts isn't the greatest, but it's about the only choice I have. Unless.....you want to make a road trip and come install it for me....LOL.

Texas seems to have a pretty active chapter, and I'm sure with a little coaxing (beer, pizza) a couple members would be more than happy to help you put the lift on. If you don't have the room/tools to do it at your place, one of 'em likely would. Plus it'd give you an opportunity to meet other Tacoma owners and find out more about your truck.

You can post your request here or on the Texas board... http://forums.delphiforums.com/Tx_TTORA/start

 

[tacoboy99]

I've basically decided on either the 4" Pro Comp lift, or a 2 1/2" spacer lift with shackles in the rear.

If I do the 4" kit, I want to run 33's (like a 285/75R16). If I do the spacer lift (2 1/2" with shackles in the rear) I will most likely run a 32" tire (265/75R16). The tires will be BFG AT KO's. Hopefully you guys can help me make up my mind as to what to do. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

no one has brought up the fact that they are 2 different types of lifts. the spacers are pretty straight forward. Where as the Pro Comp lift is a full kit including new shocks, etc. it's also a drop-bracket type of lift. Of course it's expensive.

I have a 99 Prerunner with the ProComp 4" lift. So far it has been really good. Axle wrap is not too bad. But with a block, yes it can be a problem and the ride's pretty stiff.

I'm currently upgrading my rear to deavers leaf pack and shackles. So i get a better ride both offroad and on. I'm also changing the front to king extended coilovers (specifically made for the ProComp lift which removes the spacer that was included with the kit). I'm running 33s as well, with some rub on full turn.

If your mainly driving on-road and light offroad...the stock ProComp lift is just fine. If you take it out offroading regularly, then a rear upgrade from blocks will help, and if axel wrap really gets annoying.

If you want to save money, run some coilovers in the front that will give you about 3" and run shackles in the rear.

my .02

 

[CindiJS]

Thanks for all of the posts......I GREATLY appreciate EVERYTHING you have all said. Today I went to 4 wheel parts (I know, they're not the best in the world, but the guy I talked to today seemed to know his stuff. He has had several toyota's and he had pictures of them all lifted). I basically decided on a 2 1/2" spacer lift in the front. He said I could do the Pro Comp AAL, but he recommended the fabtec AAL. He said the fabtec was longer and it would basically give me a better ride than the Pro Comp AAL. He said the longer the AAL, the more flex the truck will have and that will give me a better ride. I asked him about the shackles with the AAL, and he said the shackles will pull the axle towards the front of the truck and so the wheel will not be centered in the wheel well. He said it wouldn't be that bad, but it would most likely bring the wheel forward about an inch and a half. He said the AAL would be enough in his opinion. So I am going to go with what he says for now. I told him I'd like to run an 285/70R16, he said BFG doesn't carry that size. He said he thought they could fit the 285/75R16 with some minor trimming of the wheel well (inside of it) and some minor trimming of the plastic under the front bumper. He now has a 2004 Chevy Ext. CAb pickup and he has a 5 or 6" lift on it. He showed me where he had to trim his in the wheel well and front bumper. It looked really good. If he hadn't of shown it to me, I wouldn't of even noticed it. He also said that if the 285/75 R16's don't fit, they can then put the 265/70R16's on it. He said he'd call me and let me see how much it rubs before they do any trimming. My office is just down the street from 4 wheel parts, so I will be able to check it all out before they do any damage. The lift, wheels (Pro Comp 1059), tires and side step, with an alignment are going to cost me $2400 out the door. That may sound like alot of money to those of you who can do your own lift. But for me, that's all I can do at this point. Hopefully I'll have the lift on by the end of the week.

Thanks for everyone's opinions and advice. If anyone has any more suggestions BEFORE Next week.....I welcome them all....Thanks again...Cindi.

 

[rjdeluca]

The Pro Comp kit is not as good as it seems. I bought my truck and it came with a 4" Pro Comp kit w/ Kings. Within one week my high pressure line broke where the S fitting connects to the rack. And because that is what came with the Pro Comp kit and who knows how long it would take to order one. A random mechanic I know just welded the holes shut. Thing is this kit gives no extra ground clearance and drops the diff, sways, plus the shock spacer, not to mention the power steering s-fitting. This kit is pretty "Micky Mouse" if you ask me. When I get the money Iam getting it taken off and just running the Kings which gives me like 2.5" lift I believe. Ive talked to another Taco owner and he clears 33's in the front with just the coil lift.