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Lifting your Tacoma changes how it looks, how it rides, and how much you can do with it. The tricky part is that the market is full of kits that only bolt on spacers to the front, or that stiffen the ride so much you feel every crack in the pavement. The real goal for most owners is a truck that sits tall and level without turning your daily commute into a chiropractor visit.
I’m Min Islam — the founder and writer behind Trending Car. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Whether you haul gear, tow a boat, or just want a better stance, this breakdown of the best lift kit for tacoma separates the genuinely capable kits from the ones that only look good in photos.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Lift Kit for Tacoma
Before you pick a kit, you need to know exactly what your Tacoma is. The single biggest filter is the lug count. Every kit here fits 6-lug models only, so if your truck has 5 lugs, none of these will work for you. The second thing to confirm is your model year, because the suspension geometry changed across generations.
Match the Lift to Your Truck’s Generation
First-generation Tacomas (1995-2004) use a completely different front suspension setup than the second generation (2005-2015) and third generation (2016-2023) trucks. A kit built for a 2005 truck will not bolt onto a 1998 truck, so always check the year range printed in the listing before you buy. The TORCH kits here are split cleanly along those generation lines, which makes the choice easier once you know your truck’s year.
Decide Between Spacers and Full Struts
Strut spacers lift the truck by extending the mounting point of your factory shocks, keeping the stock ride mostly unchanged. They are budget-friendly and easy to install. Loaded struts, like the Rough Country N3 options, replace the entire front shock and spring assembly, which usually delivers better damping but costs more. Think about how much off-roading you actually do, because that determines whether the premium strut kit is worth it.
Understand What the Rear Needs
Lifting the front alone can make the truck look like it is squatting backward. To level it out, you have two common rear solutions: tapered blocks that sit between the axle and leaf springs, or add-a-leaf springs that physically add a leaf to your existing pack. Blocks are simpler and common on street-focused kits. Add-a-leaves, like the ones TORCH includes, also help carry extra weight in the bed without sagging.
Consider the Differential Drop
Lifting the front of a 4×4 changes the angle of your front drive shaft and CV axles. On taller lifts (3 inches and up), a differential drop kit lowers the front diff to restore a more factory-like angle, which reduces vibration and wear on the CV boots. Most of the TORCH and Rough Country kits here include a diff drop, and reviews consistently mention the absence of vibration after install.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Lift Height | Front Setup | Model Years | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TORCH 3″ Full Lift Kit + Diff Drop★ Best Overall | Best Overall | 3 inches | Strut Spacers | 2005-2023 | Amazon |
| Bilstein B8 6112 Front KitPremium Ride | Premium Ride Quality | 0-2.75 inches | Coilover Struts | 2005-2021 | Amazon |
| Rough Country 3.5″ Bolt-On Kit | Complete Bolt-On | 3.5 inches | Loaded N3 Struts | 2005-2023 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. TORCH 3″ Full Lift Kit + Diff Drop for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4WD
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 350+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The full front-and-rear package that levels a modern Tacoma without touching the shocks.
You get the complete picture here: 3-inch front strut spacers, a differential drop kit, 2-inch tapered rear blocks, and the extended u-bolts to tie it all together. The kit is a bolt-on job that comes with step-by-step instructions aimed at the DIY backyard mechanic, so you are not signing up for welding or cutting. The differential drop is the key detail — it restores the front drive shaft angle so you do not pick up a vibration after the lift.
You get a level truck: the front rises the full 3 inches and the rear comes up 2.5 inches, so the stance sits flat. Owners repeat the same phrase — “truck level.” The install is the most praised strength: two people can finish it in under 4 hours with basic tools.
The trade-off is in the hardware. The rear u-bolts are sized for a 3-inch block, so on a 2008 model they sit long against the 2-inch blocks and need trimming. A couple of owners found the locking nuts stripped during torquing and swapped in factory bolts. This kit suits someone who expects to do a little fitting, not pure part-swapping.
full lift coverage
- Everything needed arrives in the box — spacers, diff drop, blocks, and u-bolts
- Level stance after install: 2.5-inch rear matching the 3-inch front
- Lifetime warranty with dedicated customer service behind it
install patience needed
- Rear u-bolts can run long against the 2-inch blocks and need trimming
- Locking nuts on the u-bolts can strip when torqued hard
- This is a spacer kit, so it uses your factory shocks
choose for full lift: you want a full 3-inch front lift with a diff drop and do not mind minor fitting work on the rear hardware.
consider 2-inch kit: you prefer keeping the factory suspension geometry closer to stock for a milder daily-driver feel.
2. TORCH 1.5″-2″ Rear Add A Leaf Suspension Lift Kit w/ 8.5″ Square U-Bolts
The right rear-end answer when you carry weight and want the bed to sit tall.
If your Tacoma sags in the rear under a load, this add-a-leaf kit is the practical fix. It uses two add-a-leaf splift with strut spacers, a 2-inch rear lift with tapered blocks, and crucially for the 4WD trucks, a differential drop kit with skid plate spacers to keep the driveline angles in check. The material is alloy steel, so the hardware is built to survive life under a truck.
Owners say this TORCH hardware installs like factory equipment. They describe the fit as “perfect” almost across the board, and the most repeated success story is that the kit levels the truck exactly as promised — the 3-inch front and 2-inch rear combination sits the first-gen body flat and level.
The one thing buyers consistently wish for is an optional shock and strut upgrade. The kit is spacers and blocks only, so it keeps your factory shocks, which is fine for a mild lift but leaves some wanting more damping performance.
best for balance: first-gen 4WD owners who want the exact-matching 3/2 combo plus the driveline protection of a diff drop.
not for stock: anyone hoping for new shocks in the box — this kit keeps your factory dampers.
3. TORCH 2″ Front / 1″ Rear Lift Kit for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 4WD
A brand-name 3-inch lift that throws in new N3 rear shocks for the money.
Rough Country is a recognized name in the off-road world, and this kit brings the brand’s 3-inch front lift with strut extensions plus a pair of Premium N3 rear shock absorbers. The kit uses fabricated blocks in the rear, which the brand says are stronger and last longer than cast blocks. It is backed by Rough Country’s lifetime replacement, so there is a real warranty behind the purchase.
Installation is the most-praised aspect, with the typical result being a clean 3-inch lift that transforms the look — one 2020 owner calls the truck “awesome” with 33-inch tires fitted afterward. The value proposition is consistent: owners describe it as an affordable entry point to get a proper lift from a brand-name manufacturer.
The honest trade-offs are the ride and the instructions. Several owners note the rear rides “kinda rough” after install, and more than one had to find a YouTube video because the included directions were hard to follow. One owner also found the front spacer studs stripped when tightened. This is a solid budget entry from a respected brand, but it expects a mechanically confident installer.
ideal for comfort: buyers who want a brand-name 3-inch lift with new rear shocks at a budget-friendly price.
not ideal for flex: anyone who needs a plush rear ride — the N3 shocks run firm, and the instructions demand patience.
4. Bilstein B8 6112 Front Suspension Lift Kit (47-309975)
A 60mm monotube coilover kit that trades lift height for a genuinely better ride.
This is the premium step up for anyone who cares more about how the truck drives than how tall it sits. The Bilstein B8 6112 uses a large 60mm monotube body with a digressive piston, which translates to more oil capacity, better cooling, and consistent fade-free performance on rough terrain. The adjustable spring seat offers 0 to 2.75 inches of lift depending on your application, all tuned specifically for late-model trucks.
The ride quality feedback is emphatic. An owner describes speed bumps and highway cracks being “smoothed” after install, and an FJ Cruiser owner reports better ride and handling than stock springs with Bilstein 5100s. The adjustment range is flexible:
one owner ran 2.5 inches of lift and measured the fender height climbing from 19 inches to 22 inches. A 2013 TX Baja Tacoma owner confirms these work as a direct replacement for the factory shocks.
The catch is setup complexity. The circlip height charts in the instructions are described as inaccurate, forcing owners to disassemble to adjust, and one notes the newer 6112s have more clip positions than the manual covers. You also need a good spring compressor, and running over 2 inches means upgraded upper control arms are recommended. This is a kit for someone willing to invest time in dialing in the height.
pick for quality: drivers who prioritize ride comfort, handling, and brand trust over maximum lift height.
against if budget: anyone who wants a simple bolt-on — this kit demands careful height adjustment and a spring compressor.
5. Rough Country 3.5″ Bolt-On Lift Kit w/N3 Struts for 2005-2023 Tacoma – 74231
A 3.5-inch complete system with new struts and upper control arms in the box.
This is Rough Country’s more complete answer to the Tacoma lift question. Instead of spacers on factory struts, it replaces the front with N3 loaded coil spring struts that are pre-lifted 3.5 inches, plus a pair of N3 rear shocks. The kit also throws in two upper control arms and differential spacers, which is the component package you need to keep the front geometry correct at this height.
Quality is the single most-praised aspect. Owners call it a “very solid system” and describe the V3 struts as the top shelf of Rough Country’s lineup. One owner reports no vibration at highway speeds and smooth tracking; another notes the ride takes about a month to break in but ends up “perfect.” The 3.5-inch front lift levels the front with the rear, giving an aggressive stance without the sag look.
The pain points are real but manageable. The front struts are stiff until they break in, and one owner ran into a quality-control miss with a crushed bushing sleeve on the passenger-side upper control arm. Plan for a full day of work and a professional alignment afterward, and this kit rewards you with a properly engineered 3.5-inch system.
step up height
- New N3 loaded struts, not spacers on factory units
- Upper control arms included to keep alignment in range
- Levels front with rear for a clean 3.5-inch stance
budget for extras
- A full day of installation time
- A professional alignment after the install
- The break-in period — struts are stiff for about a month
step up for height: you want a true 3.5-inch system with new struts and control arms, not a spacer stack on tired factory parts.
step back if cost: you need it done in an afternoon — this one is a full-day project plus alignment.
Understanding the Specs
Strut Spacers vs. Loaded Struts
A strut spacer is a metal puck that bolts between your factory shock and the truck, lifting the body without changing the shock itself. It is the budget-friendly route that keeps your original suspension parts. A loaded strut, like the Rough Country N3 units, replaces the entire front shock-and-spring assembly with a new one built to the right height. Loaded struts usually ride better but cost more and take longer to install.
Diff Drop and CV Angles
When you lift the front of a 4×4, the front drive shaft and CV axles tilt down at a sharper angle. A differential drop kit lowers the front differential back toward its factory position, which reduces vibration and wear on the CV boots. Most of the TORCH kits and the Rough Country kits here include a diff drop, and the absence of vibration after install is a common point of praise in the reviews.
Add-A-Leaf vs. Lift Blocks
For the rear, tapered blocks are simple spacers that sit between the axle and the leaf spring pack. They are cheap and easy but add no load capacity. An add-a-leaf is an actual extra leaf inserted into your existing spring pack, which both lifts the rear and stiffens it to carry more weight. If you haul gear or tow, the add-a-leaf approach keeps the bed from sagging under load.
6-Lug vs. 5-Lug Fitment
This is the filter that decides almost everything. Every kit in this guide is built for 6-lug Tacoma models only. Toyota used different wheel hubs across trims and years, and these kits will not bolt onto 5-lug models. Before you buy anything, count the lugs on your wheels and confirm your model year matches the listed fitment range, because the suspension geometry changed across generations.
FAQ
Will a 2-inch lift fit 33-inch tires on my Tacoma?
What is the difference between a strut spacer and a loaded strut lift?
Does a TORCH lift kit fit a 5-lug Tacoma?
Why do I need a differential drop with a 3-inch front lift?
How long does it take to install a spacer lift kit?
Is an add-a-leaf better than lift blocks for the rear?
Does lifting my Tacoma change the ride quality?
What is the maximum lift I can run without upgrading upper control arms?
Do I need to change my shocks with a strut spacer lift?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most owners, the lift kit for tacoma winner is the TORCH 3″ Full Kit because it delivers the complete front-and-rear package with a diff drop at a price that leaves room for tires. If you carry weight in the bed or tow regularly, the TORCH Add-A-Leaf is the honest fix for rear sag. And for those who care most about how the truck rides rather than how it sits, the Bilstein B8 6112 is the premium choice that transforms the driving experience.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Trending Car earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.