Looking for upgrade advice

[OzarkNewb]

I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport. Looking to put a small lift and upgraded tires.

Does anyone have experience with the below lift kit?

3 Inch Lift Kit | Toyota Tacoma 2WD/4WD (2005-2023)

Elevate your second and third generation Toyota Tacoma with Rough Country’s 3-inch lift kit, featuring N3 shocks, strut spacers, and rear blocks for optimal performance.

www.roughcountry.com

Any recommendations on tires that can perform well on mild trails but don’t create much road noise?

 

[mjherron]

Welcome to Overland Bound from Missouri! Don’t know much about Tacomas, but would recommend maybe going through a off road shop in your area.

 

[DrivingTacoLoco]

This isn't a real lift. While it will lift it, it doesn't increase wheel travel. You can get over taller things under the car but you don't get the advantage of a better springs and shocks. So it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Lifting for looks this will work for offroading something like this Coil/Bilstein 5100 Kit (HS16BK-1) is minimum.

 

[DrivingTacoLoco]

For Taco's thake a look at the forums here 3" Front 2" Rear Leveling kit

 

[OzarkNewb]

This isn't a real lift. While it will lift it, it doesn't increase wheel travel. You can get over taller things under the car but you don't get the advantage of a better springs and shocks. So it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Lifting for looks this will work for offroading something like this Coil/Bilstein 5100 Kit (HS16BK-1) is minimum.

I want the look, of course, but also trail performance. I will not be doing technical trails in this, as its my daily driver, but I plan to do some mild off roading and logging/fire road exploring. Hoping to keep the wheels & tires, lift, and bumper upgrades under $3k.

 

[adventure_is_necessary]

I would recommend a short lift. Factory springs and shocks are ok for pavement use. Any off-road travel or carrying a load and you'll want to upgrade. I recommend Old Man Emu springs for sure. I have heard good things about their BP-51 shocks, but they do not make them for my application, so I went with Bilstein 5100's. I have the heavy duty rate springs, but you could probably get away with medium duty depending on your plans for adding weight. I know I planned way ahead for the added weight, but I'm glad I did. And I think all in all, I've spent $1k on the lift. That's including needing to replace parts due to the age and wear of my vehicle. I would not skimp on the quality of the lift. I have seen people go budget boost many times to only upgrade soon after. The performance and quality lack.

 

[DrivingTacoLoco]

I want the look, of course, but also trail performance. I will not be doing technical trails in this, as its my daily driver, but I plan to do some mild off roading and logging/fire road exploring. Hoping to keep the wheels & tires, lift, and bumper upgrades under $3k.

What are you looking for in bumpers? What is the purpose? Changing them is for offroading to prevent damage to factory ones or to allow more clearance for bigger tires. To me they seem very overpriced for what they get you. Look for other ways to accomplish your goals that are less costly and put your money into performance or usability upgrades. The appropriate lift kit, Tires, recovery gear, maybe lights. Look for the bigger bang for the buck. I think you will be happier.

 

[OzarkNewb]

What are you looking for in bumpers? What is the purpose? Changing them is for offroading to prevent damage to factory ones or to allow more clearance for bigger tires. To me they seem very overpriced for what they get you. Look for other ways to accomplish your goals that are less costly and put your money into performance or usability upgrades. The appropriate lift kit, Tires, recovery gear, maybe lights. Look for the bigger bang for the buck. I think you will be happier.

Bumpers are crazy expensive if you ask me! I do want some protection from large obstacles but you can spend my entire budget on bumpers. I think you are correct. For my purposes, light to medium trails, I can get more capability from other upgrades.

 

[csmullins89]

Hi All,

I'm new to OB and overland in general I recently picked up a 2000 nissan frontier crew cab v6 and looking to put around 3k into it for overland a few things I would like are tires and rims thinking cheap but decent alterain tires 30" or so and black steel off road rims 15". Either a leveling kit or 2.5 inch lift if necessary. Will also need to update the radiator and air filter will probably go with a k&n but open to suggestions. If anyone has pointers for line-x or rhino lining the whole truck I'm thinking about doing two colors and different grit levels. Looking for an almost flat red for the cab and most of the bed with back with heavy grit for the bed, underbody and bottom 1/4 of the body. Any and all suggestions are welcome and I look forward to many adventures.

Best regards,

 

[Drwright 68]

I would recommend a short lift. Factory springs and shocks are ok for pavement use. Any off-road travel or carrying a load and you'll want to upgrade. I recommend Old Man Emu springs for sure. I have heard good things about their BP-51 shocks, but they do not make them for my application, so I went with Bilstein 5100's. I have the heavy duty rate springs, but you could probably get away with medium duty depending on your plans for adding weight. I know I planned way ahead for the added weight, but I'm glad I did. And I think all in all, I've spent $1k on the lift. That's including needing to replace parts due to the age and wear of my vehicle. I would not skimp on the quality of the lift. I have seen people go budget boost many times to only upgrade soon after. The performance and quality lack.

+1 for OME lift. I run one on my fj60 and it is a drastic improvement.

 

[DrivingTacoLoco]

Pass on the k&n. They don't work will cause problems with the dusty and wet environment of overlanding. The factory keeps the filter in a closed box. Bigger wheels and tires will add height. Get a lift kit that includes suspension components. Check rugged rocks off-road. Nissan experts

 

[smritte]

Pass on the k&n. They don't work will cause problems with the dusty and wet environment of overlanding

Agree. If you want reusable street use, sure. otherwise no. No real benefit other than cleanable.

 

[1Louder]

+1 for OME lift. I run one on my fj60 and it is a drastic improvement.

+2 My OME Setup has worked great for over 100,000 miles. Best of the budget tier IMHO. You asked about tires... can of worms. Plenty of good options. I like Cooper Discoverer AT/3's or STT Max but there are many other good ones.