The Best Way To Lift Your Tacoma? Block or AAL?

It’s a debatable topic.. use a block or an Add A Leaf Pack when lifting your rear suspension on your Tacoma.. In this video we remove a 1” block from my Tacoma TRD Lift Kit and install the Icon AAL 3 pack.. We discuss the pros and cons of the methods to lifting and which one will give you the best results.
#toyotatacoma #trdoffroad #lifting#icon #suspension #offroad
ICON AAL: www.amazon.com/ICON-Compatibl...

[@bigfootswatching9986]

Jason........he seem's like that rare mechanic you find who truly cares and know his stuff when working on the customers rides.

[@damonphalin6023]

Mechanic with a clean white T-shirt, that’s impressive

[@miztrusa]

That's exactly what happened on my 07 Tundra, luckily caught it in time!! Trying to install Icon leaf pack but they have way to much arch on them.

[@jayknapp5548]

I love the Def Leppard influenced music to avoid rights. Nice video dude, thanks.

[@shanewhittemore]

I currently have the TRD Lift with the block on my Tacoma. Very pleased with the ride but after watching the video I agree that the add A Leaf is probably the way to go. Looking forward to the off road performance on your next video. Good quality stuff my friend. Jason seems to know his shit.

[@peterphucphan6042]

I bought the trd lift suspensions back in Black Friday, but have not installed it yet. After watching this I think I might go with the AAL one. I do not do off-road though, but daily drive my truck to work everyday.

[@SSPshooter72]

Technically, you did a progressive AAL. I did a Headstrong progressive AAL when I lifted my '23 Taco to increase the hauling capacity. I think the progressive AAL is a great choice for new and lower mileage trucks for normal use. If adding a bunch of weight then going with a leaf pack replacement seems to be the way to go. Nice video. What's your user name on Tacomaworld?

[@bige311]

I am on the fence about adding a Wescott lift to my Tacoma Pro, I heard it does impact handling though.. Thanks for sharing the vid..

[@maurelius135]

I'm debating the same. What did you go with?

[@ximmoua8399]

You should have removed the second ebrake straps that’s too much pressure for the cable

[@TheNewps]

I'm gonna guess it's a placebo effect. A 1" lift bock is going to retain the factory ride quality. Adding a add-a-leaf if going to stiffen up the spring pack. The only variable is if you are carrying extra weight in the bed or your leaf pack is worn out to the point where they can't keep it's stock arch. Weight and worn out leafs would cause your overload leafs to engage sooner and thus contribute to a rougher ride over the new AAL and overload leaf delete.

[@thefactor6909]

How long have you been running the blocks before the switch ? Any issues running the blocks that you’ve had ? Just curious personally don’t think blocks are a issue with normal driving conditions and light off road. I’ve never heard of issues your mechanic spoke of although I’m sure can happen under extreme conditions.That’s why they are such a great bang for the buck lift and have been for many years . Of course there are many options on a lift and depending on your needs blocks are a great option for most . Thanks for a great informative update on your new upgrade 👊🏻👍🏻 Now if you drive your taco hard and put it away wet and or Need more payload or are towing ?I couldn’t agree more .

[@westcoasttaco]

I ran the blocks for almost 10 months.. never had any issues, but everyone I’ve spoken to has recommended the AAL.. so i figured it would be something worth doing since it’s pretty cost friendly.. appreciate the feedback 👍🏼🤙🏼!

[@thefactor6909]

@@westcoasttaco Congratulations on your new upgrade ! Beautiful truck to !!

[@westcoasttaco]

@@thefactor6909 thank you!

[@useryggfdcc]

I did the ICON AAL on my 2021 Tacoma with Bilstein 5100 in the back. The ride was rough in the back over speed bumps for a year. People said it will improve going less rough...nothing happened. Then suddenly it smoothed out! Super weird but now the rear feels perfect. Front 6112 with original UCA.

[@yeahboi355]

Nothing smooths out you just got used to it.

[@useryggfdcc]

@@yeahboi355 Incorrect, the change came rapidly. I was shocked too.

[@jaybird99100]

couple questions here: You've got the OEM TRD lift in your truck. Do you know if they account for the taco lean in that kit like some people will either add a 1/4' spacer on the driver side strut or i've heard of some people installing the 5100's on one clip height on one side and a different clip height on the other to accommodate. Curious if Toyota has fussed at all about that. Secondly, I hear a ton about not only driveline vibration like is mentioned in your video but also a vibration up front from the CV needle bearing toyota uses on the driver side. Sounds like a lot of people experience vibration as soon as the truck is lifted and it comes from the added stress on that bearing. The fix being the ECSG clamshell bushing upgrade while it's all apart. Wondering if this was ever mentioned to you or not. I find it funny that toyota is installing a 2" level kit that sounds very much like a rebranded 5100 kit and that bearing is not being replaced by Toyota and people don't seem to have issues with it vs everyone else who seems to add the Bilstein 5100's and have vibrations post 2" lift. Any thoughts on that?

[@westcoasttaco]

Great questions! #1 no spacer or anything to compensate for the taco lean. I haven’t really noticed a lean on mine but I’m sure there is a little one. I have the front on the highest clip. They aren’t offset. #2 I did do and recommend doing the ECGS Bushing. I also did the drop bearing kit by Old Man Emu just to be safe. Here is an update on my TRD Lift Kit:kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIrdXmdnh9Oqp7Msi=K81sojHeHhmRzzE-

[@Joseph-jo6rm]

What is your status update on the 1.5" add a leaf so far as of now? With a lot of research, I believe you technically have a 1/2" rake with the 2" lift in the front but not really noticeable to the naked eye for the average Joe.

[@westcoasttaco]

Everything is doing great.. no complaints whatsoever. Correct about 1/4-1/2” rake.. but as mentioned not really noticeable. In fact kind of glad there is a slight rake so my bed isn’t “sagging” when I have stuff in the back.

[@Joseph-jo6rm]

I may do the 1.5 Icon add a leaf in the rear and 2.5" in the front with same size tires. A good option to consider is airbags to eliminate the sag.

[@westcoasttaco]

@@Joseph-jo6rm agreed! He had just done airbags on a Tundra before I had gotten there👍🏼

[@FERG2493]

Do I need extended brake lines with a 1.5 inch progressive AAL? Also, can I run Bilstein 5100s or do I need to upgrade to 5160s? I’m considering ditching the one inch block and doing basically this same setup. Thanks.

[@westcoasttaco]

I didn’t need one and you should be fine with the 5100s. As you could see it took some finagling to get the break line brackets back in their original spots, but it was accomplished.

[@FERG2493]

@@westcoasttaco awesome. Any recommendations on what progressive 3 leaf AALs I should go with?

[@westcoasttaco]

@@FERG2493 I was and still am pretty happy with the ICON set. No complaints on my end 👍🏼

[@CameronBigley]

How much does he charge for all the fluids to be changed? Like in the other video. I’m in sd county.

[@westcoasttaco]

$100 for each Diff or TC plus fluids. And a trans fluid service is $160 plus fluids.

[@CameronBigley]

@@westcoasttaco awesome thanks!

[@westcoasttaco]

@@CameronBigley no problem 👍🏼

[@evangelistar74]

Hi west coast Taco, How much $$ you spent for all the work.?

[@westcoasttaco]

Labor was $300.00

[@frankb9175]

How can i reach jason?

[@coastalcustomlure]

Add-a-leaf is still cheaping out. Replacing the whole leaf pack with a set of Deaver J-66 stage 2 is the way to go.