The third-gen Tacoma is the default trail and overlanding truck for a reason - the aftermarket is enormous. But that also makes it easy to buy the wrong combination of parts. Here is how to build one right.
What lift size should you run on your
A leveling kit (about 2 inches) clears a small tire and evens out the factory rake on a budget. The sweet spot for most builds is a 3 to 3.5 inch lift, which clears 33-inch tires and keeps a comfortable street ride. Going 6 inches is for 35s and a serious look. One rule people skip: any lift over 3 inches really wants upper control arms to correct the front geometry, or you will burn through ball joints and never get a clean alignment.
What a complete Tacoma build actually includes
Most people buy a lift kit, then spend the next six months chasing the parts that should have come with it. A real build is a system, not one box:
- Front lift struts or coilovers
- Upper control arms (for 3 inch and up)
- Rear springs or shocks matched to the front
- Wheels in 17 or 18 inch
- 33-inch tires (sized to your lift)
- Ditch or grille lighting
- Rock sliders and a front bumper for trail builds
Skip the guesswork - shop matched packages
We bundled the parts that work together for your exact year so you order once and they all fit. Browse every Toyota Tacoma build package, or start with a proven combo:
- 2021 Toyota Tacoma Suspension Performance - 3.5 Inch Lift Kit - $3129.90 (mid-level build)
- 2021 Toyota Tacoma Armored Trail Package - 3.5 Inch Lift Kit - $5889.80 (premium build)
Whether you daily it or take it down the Rubicon, start with the suspension and build out from there. Every part is verified to fit your model year, and every price is at manufacturer MAP - no surprises at checkout.