Before You Buy: 2016-2020 Toyota Tacoma Leveling Kit Options

Your Tacoma is pretty sweet to drive, right? We know it is, but with just a few upgrades to the suspension, it can be an absolute beast. A stock Tacoma can suffer from rake, and the factory suspension normally feels less comfortable and less responsive. The issue is that with so many options available for leveling your Tacoma it can be overwhelming; that's where we come in. We want you to understand the basic tiers of the different leveling kits, what they offer, and who will benefit from which type of leveling kit. Some of you might want to get some extra tire clearance, for a kick-ass aggressive look. Others might want to drive a mountain trail at break-neck speeds (maybe not the best plan) and need suspension up for the challenge. No matter what you want to use your Tacoma for, there is a leveling kit that will improve the way your truck handles and drives.

The First Tier: Spacer Leveling Kits
The best place to start, for most people, will be Spacer Leveling Kits. These kits normally offer a lift of 0-3", which can make your Tacoma look tough as hell and allows for upgrading to larger tire sizes. One of the big upsides to these kits is they use most of the stock OEM parts from your truck and install on top of your OEM strut assemblies, keeping the cost down. You will immediately notice a marked improvement to the level and rake in the front and rear. These types of kits (like the ReadyLIFT SST Leveling Kit pictured below) boost your off-road capabilities, while maintaining a smooth, comfortable ride around town. Spacer Leveling Kits might be the "budget" option, but you won't feel like you've skimped after you experience the difference these kits can make.

The Second Tier: Adjustable Leveling Shock Kits
The next step in the upgrade path is Adjustable Leveling Shock Kits. These kits not only give your Tacoma a lift, usually 0-3", but they offer vastly improved rebound and articulation of your suspension. No need to worry, you're still going to gain that mean look from having a lifted truck. You're also going to be able to upgrade to much larger tire size because of the increased wheel clearance. These kits (see the Bilstein B8 5100 Adjustable Leveling Shock Kit pictured below) fully replace your factory OEM shocks, only reusing the factory OEM coilover springs. The shocks are much better than the previously mentioned Spacer Leveling Kits at absorbing the shifting weight of the truck during rough use. The option for adjustment of the shocks allows you to customize the height you want for your Tacoma. This type of leveling kit is the perfect upgrade for anyone who wants greatly improved off-road and heavy-towing/hauling capabilities, as they can handle more weight and rougher driving conditions than either factory stock suspension or the Spacer Leveling Kits.

The Third Tier: Staged Coilover Leveling Packages
This is the tip of the mountain, the cream of the crop, the best of the best. The Staged Coilover Packages are for those of you who want to push their Tacoma to the limit. The different staged packages range from front and rear coilover and shock replacement to full front and rear suspension overhauls. With one of these packages you can expect to gain control, driveability, and performance in nearly any situation you can imagine. There are different stages of these packages (hence the name) and each one is progressively more badass than the last. Let's take a look at some of them to get an idea of what they can do!

A Stage 1 Package (like the ICON Stage 1 0-2.75" Leveling Kit below) is a complete replacement of the factory stock OEM coilovers and shocks. The kits provide the lift you have come to expect, in most cases up to 2.75" front and 1.5" rear. The Stage 1 Package gives you the same aggressive look and feel as the earlier leveling kit options. The lift is set by adjusting the coilover, from stock height to a 2.75" lift, allowing for increased wheel and tire clearance. You will be able to feel the difference in front-wheel travel when driving on rough terrain or towing/hauling. The rear shocks are capable of accomodating a 1.5" lift, should you decide to add the rear blocks. The huge benefits you gain from installing one of these kits are the massive improvements to shock dampening, control, ride quality, and reliability, even under the harshest conditions. The Stage 1 Packages aren't just a small step up from the Adjustable Leveling Shock Kits; they are a huge leap forward in upgrading your Tacoma for on and off-road driveability.

A Stage 2 Package usually comes with the same coilovers and shocks as the Stage 1 Package, except they have the added bonus of aftermarket replacement Upper Control Arms (UCA). The UCA adds more travel to the system and increases control and handling. These UCA, usually Billet or Tubular type Upper Control Arms, increase the amount of control and handling you gain from the Stage 2 Package.

The next step up? You guessed it, Stage 3 Packages. These packages are for those of you that wanted the break-neck mountain trail action (again...not the best plan). A Stage 3 Package is the first of the complete suspension overhaul kits. What does that mean? Well, you will be replacing your entire suspension; from the coilovers and shocks to the leaf springs and Upper Control Arms. Another addition to the Stage 3 Package level is the rear shocks feature external reservoirs (as seen in the ICON Stage 3 0-2.75" Leveling Kit with Billet UCA below), which allow for a higher oil capacity and less wear on the shock over time.

From Stage 3 Packages you can keep going up, all the way to Stage 7 Packages! As you progress through the different Staged Packages, you gain new features, such as external reservoirs on the rear shocks and more massive 2.5" shock body front shocks. They progress all the way to Stage 7 Packages that have the heavy-duty 2.5" shock bodies with advanced coilovers in the front and rear, fully adjustable external reservoirs on the front and rear shocks, and ultra-durable Upper Control Arms and Leaf Springs. The Stage 7 Packages (like the ICON Stage 7 0-2.75" Leveling Kit with Billet UCA below) are the ultimate in aftermarket suspension enhancement and can take on anything you can imagine.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when deciding what Leveling Kit is right for your Tacoma. If you are interested in upgrading just the front coilovers and shocks, or only the rear shocks, we can help you with that. Are you just interested in rear blocks? We got you there too. Whatever you decide is right for your Tacoma, we are going to make sure you have the perfect Leveling Kit.