2000 Tacoma SR5 4x4 Body Lift????

[texsc]

Hello I'm new to the forum and new owner of my first Toyota. I bought my son a 2000 Tacoma. Great little truck. My question is how hard is it to install a 2 or 3 inch body lift? Is it as simple as removing bolts and adding the spacers or is there alot of cutting and fabricating involved. Also can I fit 33" tires under with a 2" lift.Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[Seanz0rz]

Body lifts in the 2"+ range are generally considered a hack. body lifts in that range can result in damage to the cab and frame, and require more specialty parts to lower the radiator, extend shifters, etc.

most people opt for a 1.5" body lift that will allow you to run 33" tires with very little rubbing (there are also other factors to consider like wheel backspacing, and whether or not the tires will contact the upper control arms in the front)


i personally have a 1" body lift from 4crawler. http://www.4crawler.com/ and a 3" or so suspension lift that gives me some of the best suspension performance short of a full custom suspension setup.

to help you decide, it would be good to know more about what you want to do with the truck. if the lift is just for looks, there are better routes than a large body lift.

[texsc]

Thanks for the reply. This is basicly just for looks. I want the lifted look without spending alot of money. What other options do I have? Thanks again.

[Seanz0rz]

a spacer suspension lift would not be a bad choice.

something like this from toy tec is not a bad deal: http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58695&category_id=120&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

look around at www.toyteclifts.com (http://www.toyteclifts.com) www.wheelersoffroad.com (http://www.wheelersoffroad.com) www.allprooffroad.com (http://www.allprooffroad.com)

[texsc]

Thanks alot for the info. That looks like what I need. Can someone with half a btain install this or should I take it to a shop. Im mechanically inclined but have very little experience with suspensions.

[Robinhood4x4]

Hack is probably too harsh of a word, but over 2" isn't really recommended either. As far as I know, a 1" BL isn't too big of a deal to install since you don't have to worry about radiator or steering shaft spacers.

A suspension spacer lift is a good cheap way to go and is probably easier than a body lift. If you go with spacers that fit on top of the shock, then you don't have to mess around with a spring compressor much, since those can be dangerous. Although, a spring compressor might make it easier to fit the shocks back in the mounts.

If you go with a spacer that fits between the spring and the shock, then you'll need to use a spring compressor to take it apart. Alternatively, you can remove the coilover and take it to a shop to install the spacer, then you put the whole assembly back into the truck.

Of course, for the rear, you can go with lift blocks and/or longer shackles.

If you've never worked on suspension before, expect this to take 1-2 days. I can do this job with a friend in 4-6 hours.

Now, if you wanted this for off road use, we'd be giving you different suggestions.

[4x4mike]

Texsc welcome to the forum. Sean and Steve have steered you in the right direction and I would follow their advice. What might start out just for looks might turn into something more down the road and it's better to do it 'better' if not right the first time.

In the past I had a full sized truck with a 2" body lift. The lift itself is cheap (there isn't much to it) and easy to install. If you search online you will find all kinds of stories regarding BL's and some are true. They can damage the body and also not look too good. As such I'd recommend the Toytec lift Sean posted up.

In the vendor section of Ultimate Yota there is probably a link to discount code you can use on the purchase. Installation of that lift isn't super easy but will most likely take more than one day and require some help. Air tools, jack stands and 2 jacks will also help.

The process is straight forward but will require you to use spring compressors on the front coils. People have had varying experiences on this matter. I use the Harbor Freight compressors and have had good luck. Sears sells a better constructed version of the same thing which might be worth looking into. You could also find somewhere to do the coil work for you but expect to pay shop rates for an hour or 2. I've done a couple similar lifts and had luck with the HF compressors and an impact gun.

The rear is somewhat easy but could be a PITA because of the heavy and awkward spring pack. Large C-clamps make this work a little easier.

I've ordered through the Toytec sponsor as well as Wheelers and have had great service and gotten good prices.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Looks like everyone has given you the best advice already, if you are looking for around 1.5" - 2" of lift, I would just use shackles in the rear, and a toytec spacer lift up front.

If 1" or so would get you where you want to be, I would not be ashamed to go with a 1" or even 1.5" body lift, but make sure you get quality stuff, such as that from 4crawler, to which there is a link in a post above.

[L33T35T Tacoma]

Having owned a 2003 Taco and done a body lift on it, I wouldn't recommend anything more than a 1" body lift. Otherwise, all sorts of strange things need to be changed, including relocating radiator, modifying gear linkage, extending battery cables, making sure intake tubes aren't deformed, figuring a solution for the gas tank filling tube, and just about any other problem that can arise from changing the height of anything that attaches to both body and frame. A 1" lift worked great on my truck, but anything more and things get a little strange. And as previously posted, DEFINITELY get the parts from 4crawler. He makes quality parts for sure.