Tacomas hold their value in Canada partly because owners keep fixing and improving them rather than replacing them. Suspension is usually the first thing they change, and the first thing they get wrong — because the second and third-generation trucks look similar from the outside and take different parts underneath.
Know which generation you have
- Second generation, 2005–2015. Coilover front, double wishbone. The most common truck in the used market and the one with the deepest parts support.
- Third generation, 2016–2023. Revised front geometry and different strut dimensions. Many spacers are listed for both generations, but not all — read the year range in the title rather than assuming.
The 4Runner and the FJ Cruiser share enough front-end architecture with the Tacoma that a lot of kits are listed for all three. That is legitimate, and it is one of the few cases where a multi-vehicle listing is a sign of a well-supported part rather than a vague one.
How much lift the front end will take
The Tacoma's front upper control arm is the limiting factor, not the strut. Around two and a half to three inches of spacer lift, the arm starts contacting the coil bucket at full droop, and the ball joint angle goes beyond its comfortable range.
- Up to 2 inches. Bolt-on, keeps factory geometry within range, clears a 265/70R17 comfortably and usually a 265/75R16.
- 2.5 to 3 inches. Still a spacer job, but plan on an alignment with attention to caster, and expect faster upper ball joint wear. Aftermarket upper control arms exist specifically to correct this and are the standard companion purchase.
- Beyond 3 inches. You are in full lift kit territory — new coilovers, upper arms, and often a differential drop.
The rear is a different problem
The Tacoma's rear leaf pack is soft from the factory and sags with age, which makes the truck look nose-high once you level the front. Options in ascending order of effort: a add-a-leaf, a full replacement leaf pack, or a block. Blocks are the cheapest and the least good — they increase axle wrap under load, which shows up as wheel hop when the bed is heavy.
Tire size and what it costs you
Two inches of front lift plus a modest rear correction gets most people onto a 33-inch tire. Going larger than that on a Tacoma usually means trimming the front bumper mud flaps and the pinch weld. Remember the gearing penalty: this truck was not over-geared to begin with, and a large heavy tire on the stock axle ratio will make the transmission hunt on hills. If you regularly tow with the truck, stay conservative on tire size.
What lifting does to the rest of the truck
Three things change and all three cost money if you ignore them. Headlight aim rises with the nose, so the beams need resetting — a lifted truck with stock aim lights the tree line rather than the road. CV axle angle increases on 4WD trucks, which shortens boot life; check the boots at every oil change and replace a split one immediately rather than after the joint has ingested grit. Braking distance lengthens with a heavier, taller tire, and the factory brakes were sized for the factory wheel. None of this makes lifting a bad idea; it makes the follow-up maintenance non-optional.
There is also a practical Canadian point: a levelled truck with larger tires collects more snow and slush inside the wheel arches, and that pack freezes into a solid mass that rubs the liner. Mud flaps and a periodic kick-out of the arches solve it.
After the install
Alignment first, then re-torque after 100 kilometres. If the truck develops a clunk over speed bumps a few weeks later, check the upper ball joints — the raised geometry loads them differently and they are the standard early wear item on a lifted Tacoma. In Canadian winters, the exposed spacer hardware is worth a coating of anti-seize at installation, because the alternative is cutting the strut bolts out in five years.
Shop the collection
- Toyota Tacoma Parts & Accessories
- Toyota 4Runner Parts & Accessories
- Leveling & Lift Kits
- Wheel Bearings & Hub Assemblies
- Exterior Accessories
Frequently asked questions
Will a 2005–2015 leveling kit fit a 2016 Tacoma?
Sometimes, but not always — the third generation changed strut dimensions. Read the year range in the listing rather than assuming continuity; many kits are listed for 2005–2023 precisely because they were validated on both.
Do I need aftermarket upper control arms?
Not at 2 inches. At 2.5 to 3 inches they become worthwhile because they restore the ball joint angle and stop the arm contacting the coil bucket at full droop.
Will lifting the front hurt my fuel economy?
The lift itself barely matters. The larger, heavier, more aggressive tires that usually follow are what move fuel consumption, typically by several percent.
Can I install a leveling kit without a spring compressor?
A top-mount spacer requires removing the strut assembly, which means dealing with a loaded coil. Use a proper compressor or have a shop do that part — this is the one step where improvising is genuinely dangerous.