How Much Lift for a Daily Driven Tacoma? What I Run (2026)
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For a daily driven 2005–2023 Tacoma, about 2.5 inches of lift in the front and 1.5 inches in the rear is the sweet spot. That's what we put on our 2nd gen Tacoma, and it's enough to run 33-inch tires without a cab mount chop. On a 2024+ Tacoma, a 1.25-inch front spacer takes out most of the factory rake and still fits 33s.
So, the question I get a lot is "how much should I lift my Tacoma if I drive it every day?" Not the biggest lift. The amount that still rides well on the commute, doesn't need a bunch of cutting, and fits a tire that actually looks right. Here's what we've run and why.
The short version, by truck
| Truck | Front | Rear | What we used | Tire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2nd gen, 2005–2015 | 2.5" | 1.5" | Bilstein 6112 front, 5160 rear, 1.5" add-a-leaf | 285/70R17 (33") |
| Tacoma 3rd gen, 2016–2023 | 2.5" | 1.5" | Same Bilstein 6112/5160 setup fits | 33" |
| Tacoma 4th gen, 2024+ | About 1" | Stock | Peak Suspension 1.25" spacer | 285/70R17 (33") |
Why 2.5 front and 1.5 rear works for a daily
When we finally lifted our 2nd gen Tacoma, we went with the Bilstein 6112 up front and the 5160 in the rear, with a 1.5-inch add-a-leaf for the rear lift. With the front clip set all the way to the top, that gave us 2.5 inches up front. With 1.5 in the back, the truck sat pretty much level once it settled.
The reason I like this combo for a daily driver:
- The front shock is a step up from the 5100. The 6112 is a 2.5-inch diameter shock, so it holds more oil. That way the ride is better, and it stays that way longer. Quick note: the "2.5" is the shock body diameter, not the lift.
- The front height is adjustable. The spring perch has clips. Top clip is 2.5 inches. If you want less lift, move it down.
- The rear shock has a remote reservoir. The 5160 is still a 2.0 shock, but the reservoir almost doubles the oil, so it handles heat better.
- The add-a-leaf does the lifting in the rear. The shocks just dampen. The leaf also keeps the rear from sagging if you run a topper, tools or camping gear.
We weren't carrying much in the bed on that truck, just a tonneau cover and the odd load. If you keep heavy stuff back there full time, plan your rear spring for that weight, not for the empty truck.
You can push the 6112 to about 3 inches with a 0.5-inch top spacer. Honestly, if you don't need the full 3, 2.5 rides best.
Why that's enough for 33s
A small lift like this is the reason I think 33-inch tires are the perfect size for a lifted Tacoma. On our 2nd gen we went up to a 285/70R17. At this height a 33 fits without trimming or a cab mount chop. Go much bigger and you start cutting fender flares and chopping the cab mount.
If you're not lifting at all, I covered the biggest tire on a stock Tacoma separately.
2024+ Tacoma: level it cheap and keep a little rake
The 4th gen is a different story. From the factory, a 2025 Tacoma sits about 2 inches higher in the back than the front. That's called rake. On one we did, we added a Peak Suspension 1.25-inch spacer up front, which gave it about an inch of lift in the front.
The truck still had about three-quarters of an inch of rake after that, and in my opinion that's perfect. That way, if you haul something in the bed, it won't squat and look nose-high going down the street. We ran 285/70R17 Falken Wildpeak AT4s on 17x8 +12 wheels. They poke out past the fender flares just a little, which I think gives it a really nice stance.
The 1.25-inch kit is listed for the 2024+ TRD Off-Road, SR5 and Limited. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter get a 1-inch version. Check the variant for your trim before you order.
Runnin4Tacos also carries the Peak spacer and does installs. Each code is for that store's own site, so if you buy it at Runnin4Tacos, use their code.
Spacer or real suspension?
A spacer lift works your factory spring and shock outside of where Toyota designed them to sit. The upside is it's cheap and you keep your factory shocks a while longer. The trade-off is a stiffer ride. About 6 or 7 out of 10 customers who get a spacer lift come back wanting something different because of that.
- If you want the look and a little room for 33s on a budget, a small spacer is fine. Keep it small.
- If you care about ride quality on a truck you drive every day, go with a shock and spring built for that height, like the Bilstein setup above or a coilover.
For coilovers and complete lift kits, ToyTec makes leveling kits, complete lift kits and their Boss coilovers for the Tacoma. Check fitment for your exact year on the product page. I go deeper on the code and what they make in the ToyTec discount code post.
Do these while you're in there
- Replace the top hats if you're past about 50,000 miles. Fresh ones like KYB's help you avoid squeaks from old rubber.
- Drive it before you judge the height. After a lift the suspension settles and drops a little. The height after a few days of driving is your real height.
- Get an alignment after the install.
- Re-torque the suspension hardware after about 500 miles.
- Re-aim your headlights. Lifting the front changes where they point.
- Plan ahead for a bumper and winch. On our 2nd gen we planned to swap the front coils to a heavier Eibach spring, in the 650 to 700 pound range, once the bumper and winch went on. Extra weight up front will eat your lift otherwise.
My verdict
If you have a 2005–2023 Tacoma that you drive every day, 2.5 inches up front and 1.5 in the rear is the move. It rides well, it's easy to live with, and 33s fit without cutting. If you have a 2024+ and just want it to look better, a 1.25-inch spacer takes out most of the rake for not much money. Just know the ride gets a little stiffer. For me personally, 2.5 front and 1.5 rear is the perfect amount of lift for a Tacoma used as a daily driver.
FAQ
How much lift do I need for 33s on a Tacoma?
About 2.5 inches in the front and 1.5 in the rear lets a 33-inch tire like a 285/70R17 fit a 2005–2023 Tacoma without trimming or a cab mount chop. A 2024+ Tacoma fits 33s even at stock height.
Is a 3 inch lift too much for a daily driver?
Not always, but the Bilstein 6112 rides best at 2.5 inches. You can get about 3 inches with a 0.5-inch top spacer, but if you don't need it, I'd stay at 2.5.
Should I fully level my Tacoma?
I like keeping a little rake. On our 2025 Tacoma we left about three-quarters of an inch, so the rear doesn't squat when you put weight in the bed.
Spacer lift vs coilover for a daily driven Tacoma?
A spacer is cheap and keeps your factory shocks, but it rides stiffer. A coilover or a shock-and-spring kit is built for the new height, so it rides better every day.
Does the Bilstein 6112 fit a 3rd gen Tacoma?
Yes. Runnin4Tacos lists the 6112 front kit and the 5160 rear shock for 2005–2023 Tacomas. The 2024+ uses different parts.