2nd Gen Tacoma Lift Guide

Known for their durability and reliability, Toyota Tacomas are legendary in the automotive industry. With a storied history stretching back to 1995, each of the three generations of the truck has built on and continued that legacy. Thanks to their tremendous longevity, cult following, and aftermarket enthusiasm, even the older models remain popular today.

The 2nd gen Tacoma is an especially appealing option for those on the market for a quality used truck with loads of potential. Whether it’s used as a daily driver or transformed into an off-roading behemoth, 2nd gen Tacomas are fantastic vehicles that can be modified to fit your needs without sacrificing reliability.

Despite their impressive capabilities from the factory, modifying 2nd gen Tacomas is extremely common. From beefy show trucks to pre-runners to rock crawlers, 2nd Gen Tacomas can be built in a variety of exciting ways to facilitate your intended use and fulfill your wildest Tacoma fantasy. Here, we’re going to discuss one of the most common modifications made to 2nd gen Tacomas–suspension lifts.

2nd Gen Tacoma Suspension

In 2005, Toyota debuted the next iteration of its hit Tacoma. This second-generation Tacoma improved upon the first in measurable ways, giving buyers new, exciting options, a completely redesigned chassis, modernized aesthetics, and more. The shift was profound, yet Toyota’s reputation for reliability remained firmly entrenched.

Beneath the redesigned truck–which was now firmly mid-size–was a suspension system that has endured largely unchanged even into the third-generation model years. This suspension system sought to establish a balance between capability, comfort, and performance both on- and off-road.

It achieved this impressive balance by relying on coilovers in the front of the vehicle and leaf springs in the back. This provided the 2nd gen Tacomas to take full advantage of their independent front suspension while still offering respectable payload ratings in the back.

While the suspension system that the 2nd gen Tacomas are equipped with from the factory is phenomenal in its own right, many owners opt to upgrade their trucks with 2nd gen Tacoma lift kits. These lift kits vary in the components they include, the niche they are designed for, the height they provide, and the price range they fall into. Despite this diversity and the flexibility it gives 2nd gen Tacoma owners, there are a few components and outcomes that are relatively universal.

What is a Lift Kit?

A lift kit adds to or replaces some or all of the suspension components that come with your truck from the manufacturer. It is used to provide more vehicle height, fit bigger tires, increase capability and performance, and otherwise transform the appearance and driving experience of your vehicle.

There are a number of reasons why you might want to invest in a 2nd gen Tacoma lift. Increasing the ride height of the vehicle produces an aesthetic that many find appealing. It also has performance benefits, such as fitting larger tires and providing more ground clearance, both of which are essential when driving off-road.

Lifting your Tacoma allows you to personalize your suspension system to your liking. It goes beyond the increased ground clearance to include dampening, spring rates, and more. All of these elements contribute to the ride quality, weight-bearing capability, wheel travel, handling, and so forth that your Tacoma possesses.

In other words, a 2nd gen Tacoma lift can completely change the way your truck performs on and off-road, giving you the opportunity to customize it to your liking and strike the perfect balance for your intended uses.

Why are 2nd Gen Tacoma Lifts Important?

The performance gains provided by quality lift kits cannot be overstated. They can revolutionize the capability and comfort of your Tacoma while also transforming its appearance via suspension height and larger tires. These reasons alone would be compelling enough, but there’s another piece of the lift kit puzzle that should be accounted for.

While many 2nd gen Tacomas are in fantastic shape thanks to Toyota’s iconic durability and reliability, even the latest model years are beginning to feel the effect of time. The factory suspension, while of exceptional quality, will inevitably need a refresh if the truck is to live up to its tremendous potential.

Replacing the original suspension allows you to enjoy the advancements in suspension technology, restore the ride quality, and practically reset the foundation of your Tacoma to as good or better than when it first left the factory.

2nd Gen Tacoma Lift Kits

There are a shocking number of options available for 2nd gen Tacoma owners to choose from when selecting a lift. They encompass a huge range of prices, vary greatly in complexity, and cover a variety of intended uses–from bombing through the desert to sitting pretty at the car show. Finding the best 2nd gen Tacoma lift for your uses and preferences is key, so we’ve handpicked a few terrific suspension systems to kick off your hunt.

King Shocks OEM Performance

As one of the most well-known and well-respected names in the off-road industry, King Shocks is the creme de la creme of shock manufacturers. Their OEM Performance Shock Kit is a game-changer for any 2nd gen Tacoma.

Dobinsons MRR Adjustable Lift Kit

With the brutal Australian Outback as its proving ground, the Dobinsons MRR Adjustable Lift Kit is built to handle heavy loads, conquer any terrain, and endure whatever abuse you can throw at it. It's adjustable nature is a fantastic feature for those looking to fine-tune the suspension beneath their 2nd gen Tacomas.

Pro-Truck Lift System

Low in price but high in quality and performance, the Pro-Truck Lift System is a wonderful option for 2nd gen Tacoma owners looking for increased height, bigger tires, and more off-road capability.

Find the Ultimate 2nd Gen Tacoma Lift with TacomaBeast

The 2nd gen Tacoma is a legendary truck for all the right reasons. Durability, longevity, reliability, performance, enjoyable driving dynamics, and more are all synonymous with the Toyota name, and the 2nd gen Tacoma is the perfect example of why. Adding a lift to the mix only enhances what is already a standout truck.

If you are looking for the ideal 2nd gen Tacoma lift, you’ve come to the right place. No matter what your vision for your Tacoma looks like, TacomaBeast is the ultimate resource. Whether you’re perusing the site to check out all of the 2nd gen Tacoma lift options or reaching out to one of our Toyota experts, TacomaBeast is there to help you reach your dream build. You can even visit our blog or browse our YouTube channel to find Tacoma content, tips and tricks, and inspiration.