Toyota Tacoma Lift Kits: Leveling, Coilovers and Full Systems
A Toyota Tacoma lift kit can mean anything from a pair of front strut spacers to a complete coilover, control arm and rear spring system. This guide sorts Tacoma leveling kits, coilover lifts and full suspension systems by generation, explains what changes when you lift the truck, and shows what to check before you order.
Short answer: Start with your generation (1995.5–2004, 2005–2015, 2016–2023 or 2024–2026), then pick a type. A leveling kit raises the front about 1.5–2.5 inches for slightly bigger tires. A coilover system (such as ICON Stage 1) replaces the front struts and rear shocks for better travel. A full system adds upper control arms and rear leaf or coil changes. Match the trim, rear suspension and tire size to the listing.
Leveling kit, coilover lift or full system
Every Tacoma lift falls into one of three groups. The difference is how much of the factory suspension stays on the truck. For a deeper look at the first two, read leveling kit vs lift kit.
- Leveling kits. Spacers or strut extensions that sit on top of the factory front struts. They raise the front to remove the factory rake and make room for a slightly larger tire. You keep your stock shocks and springs.
- Spacer lift kits. A front strut spacer plus something at the rear (a lift block, add-a-leaf or coil spacer on 2024+ trucks) so the whole truck goes up. ReadyLIFT's SST kits are this type.
- Coilover and shock lifts. New front coilovers with height adjustment and matching rear shocks. The main gain is ride quality and wheel travel.
- Full systems. Coilovers plus upper control arms (UCAs) to correct geometry, and rear changes such as an Add-A-Leaf, new leaf pack, rear coil springs or rear links. ICON's higher stages and ReadyLIFT's SST2.1 and SST3.3 systems fall here.
| Type | What it replaces | Typical lift (per listings) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front leveling kit | Nothing; adds strut spacers | 1.5–2.25 in. front | Removing rake, one tire size up |
| Spacer lift kit | Nothing; adds front spacers and rear blocks or coil spacers | 2.5–3 in. front, 1–2 in. rear | Bigger tires on a budget |
| Coilover system | Front struts and rear shocks | 0–3.5 in. adjustable front, by generation | Ride quality and travel |
| Full system | Struts, shocks, UCAs and rear springs or links | Adjustable front plus rear lift | Off-road use, overland weight |
| Big lift (6 in.) | Knuckles, strut extensions, drop brackets, rear blocks | 6 in. | 35-inch tires on listed trims |
Tacoma lift kits by generation
Fitment is the most common place a Tacoma suspension order goes wrong. Many kits cover 2005–2023, but not all, and 2024–2026 kits often depend on whether the truck has rear coil or leaf springs. Match the year range in the title, then check the trim notes.
1st gen Tacoma (1995.5–2004)
The ReadyLIFT 2-inch front leveling kit fits 1995.5–2004 6-lug trucks and ReadyLIFT lists room for up to 32-inch tires. It includes the upper strut extensions plus differential drop and skid plate spacers. For a coilover setup, the ICON Stage 1 system for 1995.5–2004 pairs height-adjustable 2.5-inch front coilovers (0–3 inches of lift) with 2.0 Aluminum Series rear shocks and is listed for 4WD and PreRunner models. At the rear, the ICON 1.5-inch Add-A-Leaf is listed for 1996–2023 Tacomas.
2nd gen (2005–2015) and 3rd gen (2016–2023) Tacoma
These two generations share a lot of suspension parts, so many kits are listed for 2005–2023. The lift range can still differ: ICON lists its coilover stages at 0–3.5 inches on 2005–2015 trucks and 0–2.75 inches on 2016–2023 trucks.
- Leveling. The ReadyLIFT 2.25-inch front leveling kit fits 2005–2023 6-lug 2WD, 4WD and PreRunner trucks. The TeraFlex Falcon 1.2 Complete Leveling System uses assembled front coilovers instead of spacers and levels up to 2.5 inches.
- Entry coilover. The ICON Stage 1 EXP system gives 0–2 inches of front lift, reuses the factory coil springs and is listed for tires up to 33 inches.
- Coilover systems. The ICON Stage 1 system is front coilovers and rear shocks. Stage 2 adds a rear Add-A-Leaf, and the ICON Stage 3 system with tubular UCAs adds upper control arms and extended travel coilovers.
- Spacer lifts. The ReadyLIFT 3-inch front / 2-inch rear SST kit adds strut extensions and tapered rear blocks. The ReadyLIFT 2.5-inch SST2.1 system adds Falcon 2.1 front coilovers and a rear block kit.
- Big lift. The ReadyLIFT 6-inch kit for 2016–2023 (and a separate 2005–2015 version) is listed for SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited trims, needs at least an 18-inch wheel, and fits up to a 35-inch tire.
4th gen Tacoma (2024–2026)
Most 4th gen kits we carry are listed for trucks with factory rear coil springs, and several exclude TRD Pro, Trailhunter or Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). Read the exclusions closely.
- Leveling. The ReadyLIFT 1.5-inch front leveling kit lifts the 2024–2026 Tacoma 1.5 inches. ReadyLIFT has not tested it on TRD Pro, AVS or hybrid trucks.
- Spacer lifts. The ReadyLIFT 2.5-inch SST kit gives 2.5 inches front and 1 inch rear, and the ReadyLIFT 3-inch SST kit gives 3 inches front and 2 inches rear with upper control arms and differential drop parts. TRD Pro owners have a dedicated ReadyLIFT 1.5-inch SST kit for the TRD Pro.
- Coilover systems. ICON's 4th gen stages are listed for 1.25–3 inches of front lift. The ICON Stage 1 system includes front coilovers, rear shocks and differential drop brackets, and the ICON Stage 2 system (billet) adds billet upper control arms with Delta Joint PRO.
- Rear springs. The ICON dual-rate Overland rear coil spring kit adds 0.5 inch of rear lift and, per ICON, about 600 lb of additional weight capacity for heavier builds.
How ICON stages work on the Tacoma
ICON sells its Tacoma suspension as numbered stages, and the contents differ between 2005–2023 and 2024–2026 trucks. Here is what the listings say.
| Stage | 2005–2023 Tacoma (per ICON listings) | 2024–2026 Tacoma (per ICON listings) |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 2.5 front coilovers with internal reservoirs, 2.0 Aluminum Series rear shocks | 2.5 front coilovers, 2.0 rear shocks, differential drop brackets |
| Stage 2 | Adds a rear Add-A-Leaf (1.5 in. rear lift) and remote reservoir rear shocks | Adds billet upper control arms with Delta Joint PRO |
| Stage 3 | Adds upper control arms with Delta Joint and extended travel coilovers | Upper control arms plus remote reservoir rear shocks |
| Stage 4 | Remote reservoir extended travel coilovers, billet UCAs, Add-A-Leaf | Remote reservoir coilovers and rear shocks, billet UCAs |
| Stage 6 | Adds CDCV adjustable compression damping front and rear | CDEV electronic damping with IIC app control |
| Stage 10 and up | Stage 10 adds an RXT multi-rate rear leaf and Omega Bypass rear shock | Adds billet rear links; Stage 13 adds triple-rate coils and an adjustable rear track bar |
"Billet" and "Tubular" in the titles refer to the upper control arm style. Some 4th gen stages also come with Overland or Triple Rate rear springs. Not sure which stage fits your use? Call us before ordering.
What else changes when you lift a Tacoma
Lifting changes more than ride height. How much each of these matters depends on the kit and your truck.
- Alignment. Any lift or level changes camber, caster and toe. Plan on an alignment after install. ReadyLIFT notes that on some 2011–2022 Tacomas a leveling kit may stop caster from returning to spec, which calls for aftermarket adjustable upper control arms such as the ICON tubular upper control arms.
- CV angles. On 4WD trucks, lifting the front steepens the angle of the front axle shafts. Many kits include differential drop spacers or brackets to reduce this; ICON says its 4th gen drop brackets prevent CV bind.
- Tire size. Each kit lists its own tire limit, often tied to a specific wheel width and offset. Our wheel offset and backspacing guide explains why the same tire can fit on one wheel and rub on another.
- Ride and load. Spacer kits keep the factory shocks, so ride stays close to stock but travel is limited. Coilover systems change damping and spring rate. If you carry a rack, drawers or a camper, factor that weight into your rear spring choice.
- Headlight aim and rake. Leveling the front raises the headlights. ReadyLIFT recommends an alignment and headlamp aim check after its rear leaf pack install.
Rear lift: blocks, Add-A-Leafs and coil spacers
Through 2023, every Tacoma uses rear leaf springs, so rear lift comes from blocks or extra leaves. On 2024+ trucks with rear coils, it comes from coil spacers or new springs.
- Lift blocks. The ReadyLIFT 2-inch rear block kit is listed for 6-lug Tacomas from 1995–2023. Blocks are simple and do not change spring rate.
- Add-A-Leafs and leaf packs. The ReadyLIFT Mini Leaf Pack adds about 1.5 inches on 2005–2023 trucks, and ReadyLIFT positions it for towing and hauling. The ICON Add-A-Leaf also lists 1.5 inches and, per ICON, lowers rear spring rate by about 10 percent.
- Coil spacers and springs (2024+). ReadyLIFT sells its 4th gen rear coil spacers separately, and ICON offers dual-rate and triple-rate rear coils.
Small corrections and supporting parts
If the issue is a lean or a heavy bumper, a shim may be enough.
- Coilover shims. The Coachbuilder .50-inch shim for the 2024+ Tacoma adds .50 inch per shim, and Ekstrom Design says one shim on the driver side corrects the typical factory lean. A 2005–2023 version is also available, and both list a separate bolt kit for aftermarket coilovers.
- Upper control arms. The ReadyLIFT upper control arms for 2005–2023 are made to bring back geometry after 2–3 inch and 6-inch kits, with maximum coilover lengths listed by year.
- Armor. Consider control arm and shock skid plates. Our Tacoma overland build guide covers how suspension fits into a full build.
Before you order: a checklist
- Year and generation. Match the exact year range in the title. If a title and description disagree, go with the narrower range and confirm with us.
- Trim. TRD Pro, Trailhunter, TX Baja and AVS trucks are excluded from several kits. Several 6-lug kits exclude 5-lug trucks, which need kits listed for them.
- Rear suspension. On 2024–2026 trucks, confirm whether you have rear coil springs or leaf springs.
- Wheels and tires. Note the listed tire size and the wheel width, offset and minimum diameter it is based on.
- Install and alignment. Budget for an alignment and, for coilovers and UCAs, a shop that has done Tacoma suspension before.
What NVMOS carries
We carry Tacoma suspension from ICON Vehicle Dynamics, ReadyLIFT and TeraFlex, plus supporting parts from Dr. KDSS and others. A starting list by generation:
- ReadyLIFT 2-inch front leveling kit, 1995.5–2004 Tacoma 6-lug
- ICON Stage 1 suspension system, 1995.5–2004 Tacoma
- ReadyLIFT 2.25-inch front leveling kit, 2005–2023 Tacoma 6-lug
- TeraFlex Falcon 1.2 Complete Leveling System, 2005–2023 Tacoma
- ICON Stage 1 EXP suspension system, 2005–2023 Tacoma
- ICON Stage 2 suspension system, 2005–2023 Tacoma
- ReadyLIFT 3-inch front / 2-inch rear SST kit, 2005–2023 Tacoma
- ReadyLIFT 6-inch lift kit with Bilstein shocks, 2005–2015 Tacoma
- ICON 1.5-inch Add-A-Leaf kit, 1996–2023 Tacoma
- ReadyLIFT 1.5-inch front leveling kit, 2024–2026 Tacoma
- ReadyLIFT 3-inch SST2.1 system with Falcon 2.1, 2024–2026 Tacoma
- ICON Stage 3 suspension system, tubular, 2024–2026 Tacoma
- ICON V.S. 2.5 Series front coilovers, 2024–2026 Tacoma
- ReadyLIFT upper control arms, 2024–2026 Tacoma
- Dr. KDSS bolt-on track bar correction kit, 4th gen Tacoma
Browse by category: Toyota Tacoma lift kits, leveling kits, coilover kits, complete suspension systems, control arms, leaf springs, coil spacers, shock absorbers, all Toyota Tacoma parts, or shop by vehicle. Check current lead times and vendor warranty policies before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lift kit for a Tacoma?
There is no single best kit; it depends on your generation, your trim and what you want the truck to do. A front leveling kit is the simplest way to fit slightly bigger tires, a coilover system improves ride and travel off-road, and full systems add upper control arms and rear springs for a complete package.
How much lift does a Tacoma leveling kit give?
The leveling kits we carry range from 1.5 inches on the 2024–2026 Tacoma to 2.25 inches on 2005–2023 6-lug trucks, and the TeraFlex Falcon 1.2 system levels up to 2.5 inches on 2005–2023 Tacomas. Leveling kits lift the front only.
What size tires fit a Tacoma with a leveling kit?
It depends on the kit, wheel and offset. ReadyLIFT lists up to 32-inch tires for its 2.25-inch kit on 2005–2023 Tacomas, with 33-inch tires after minor inner fender trimming, and a 285/70 without trimming for its 1.5-inch kit on the 2024–2026 Tacoma.
Do I need an alignment after lifting my Tacoma?
Yes. Any change in ride height changes front-end geometry, so plan on an alignment after installing a leveling kit or lift. ReadyLIFT notes that on some 2011–2022 Tacomas a leveling kit may stop caster from returning to spec, which calls for aftermarket adjustable upper control arms.
Do 3rd gen Tacoma lift kits fit a 2nd gen?
Many do. A number of kits are listed for 2005–2023 and cover both generations, but some are generation-specific, and ICON lists different lift ranges for each: 0–3.5 inches on 2005–2015 and 0–2.75 inches on 2016–2023. Always match the year range in the product title.
Will a lift kit fit a 2024+ Tacoma with rear leaf springs?
Not the ReadyLIFT 4th gen lift kits we carry. The 2.5-inch SST, 3-inch SST, 3-inch SST2.1 and TRD Pro 1.5-inch SST kits are listed as not for Tacomas with rear leaf springs. Front-only leveling kits are a separate case, so read the fitment notes. Check which rear suspension your truck has before you order.
What are ICON stages on a Tacoma?
ICON sells its Tacoma systems in numbered stages. Stage 1 is front coilovers and rear shocks, and higher stages add parts such as upper control arms, rear Add-A-Leaf or springs, remote reservoirs and adjustable or electronic damping. The exact contents differ by generation, so read the listing.
Is a leveling kit bad for a Tacoma?
A leveling kit is a common, mild change, but it is not free. It changes front geometry, can make the ride feel different, and puts the CV axles on 4WD trucks at a steeper angle. Get an alignment afterward and stay within the kit maker's stated lift and tire sizes.
Not sure which lift fits your Tacoma? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we will help you sort it out.
