How to Choose the Best Tacoma Suspension for Overlanding and Off-Roading

Planning to turn your Toyota Tacoma into an overlanding machine? How about an off-roading beast? Or perhaps a bit of both? Let's face it, your factory suspension just isn't cutting it for the adventures you've been dreaming about. Whatever your adventure goals are, the right suspension will make all the difference.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about upgrading your Tacoma's suspension for both overlanding and off-roading. I'll walk you through the essential components, and what matters for your specific needs, and we will also include a few product recommendations based on our extensive experience outfitting Tacomas with the top Tacoma accessories.

Key Takeaways

• Overlanding and off-roading have different suspension requirements – know which matters more for your adventures
• Your vehicle's weight (including all those awesome accessories you've added) significantly impacts which suspension components you need
• Quality suspension isn't cheap, but there are solid options at different price points ranging from $500 to $7,000+
• A 2-3 inch lift provides the sweet spot for most Tacoma owners – enough for bigger tires without excessive complexity
• Full suspension kits take the guesswork out of component matching and often provide the best overall performance

Start By Knowing What You Need

Are you Planning on Overlanding or Off-Roading?

First things first – how do you actually plan to use your Tacoma? The difference between overlanding and off-roading isn't just semantic – it completely changes what your suspension needs to do.

• Overlanding is usually a multi-day expedition with tons of gear. Your suspension needs to handle the extra weight of roof racks, bed racks, armor, camping equipment, and recovery gear while still providing a comfortable ride for those long stretches of highway between adventures. The last thing you want is to feel every bump for 8 hours straight before you even reach your destination.

• Off-roading ranges from bombing fire roads to tackling technical trails and rock crawling. Here, you need maximum articulation, strength, and responsiveness. Your suspension needs to take a beating while keeping your tires in contact with whatever crazy terrain you're conquering.

I've found that most Tacoma owners actually fall somewhere in the middle, but knowing which direction you lean will save you thousands in getting the right setup the first time.

What Type of Terrain Will You Encounter?

The terrain you'll tackle most frequently makes a huge difference in your suspension needs.

Rocky mountain trails? You'll need excellent articulation and shock absorption.

Sandy deserts? Your suspension needs to handle higher speeds without bottoming out when you hit those unexpected dips.

Muddy trails? You'll want a setup that can maintain traction when things get slick.

One of the biggest mistakes I see Tacoma owners make is buying a one-size-fits-all suspension package without considering their specific terrain needs. Don't be that person!

Consider Your Vehicle Weight And Load

Who doesn't love accessories? Those steel bumpers, skid plates, and roof racks look awesome, but they're also adding serious weight to your Tacoma. An overloaded suspension will lead to poor handling, reduced ground clearance, and potential damage to components.

Pro Tip:

“Before investing in a suspension upgrade, we highly recommend weighing your Tacoma with all your typical gear and accessories.

 

This will give you a precise understanding of your vehicle's actual weight, allowing you to choose the right suspension components for optimal performance and safety."

How to Choose The Best Components for Your Tacoma

Upgrading your Tacoma's suspension involves understanding and selecting the right components. We've curated a selection of top-tier products from leading brands to ensure your Tacoma performs at its peak.

Front Suspension Options

When upgrading your Tacoma's front suspension, you've got several critical components to consider. The factory setup just isn't designed for the kind of punishment most of us want to dish out on the trails.

From coilovers to control arms, each component plays a crucial role in building a capable system that can handle whatever adventure you throw at it. Let's break down the essential pieces you'll need to consider.

Upper Control Arms (UCAs)

Upper control arms are absolute game-changers for your Tacoma's front end. Stock UCAs become a major limitation once you increase suspension travel or change your geometry with a lift. Upgrading these should be one of your first moves.

Aftermarket UCAs give you:

• Increased ball joint articulation for better wheel travel

• Beefier construction to handle off-road abuse

• Improved alignment for better handling and tire wear

• Better caster angles for high speed stability

Truck Brigade Recommendation:

Dirt King Bushing Upper Control Arms can completely transform your Tacoma for both off-road and on long overlanding trips. Their polyurethane bushings deliver incredible durability while maintaining a smooth, quiet ride. They also require less maintenance perfect for extended trips into remote areas.

If you’re looking for a serious off-road rig, you might need to consider uniball control arms for maximum articulation.

Lower Control Arms

Lower control arms work with your UCAs and are often the most overlooked component in a build. Stock LCAs become a serious weak point when you're regularly hitting challenging terrain or loading up your Tacoma.

Upgrading your LCAs will give you:

• Improved durability for handling larger tires and rough terrain
• Enhanced suspension geometry for improved articulation
• Reinforcement where stock components typically fail

Truck Brigade Recommendation:

Dirt King Performance Lower Control Arms are heavy-duty LCAs that come with low-maintenance Moog ball joints, integrated skid plates, and internal ribbing for insane durability. As I said, LCAs are usually overlooked, but they can save you from getting stranded, it’s not uncommon to encounter obstacles that can easily destroy stock components.

Coilovers & Shocks

Coilovers combine a coil spring and shock absorber into a single, adjustable unit, offering superior performance and ride height adjustability. Coilovers are predominantly designed for the front of your Tacoma with shocks designed for the rear. These are often sold as a kit with similar settings for an optimal ride. They're a must-have for those seeking precise control and enhanced off-road capabilities.

When shopping for coilovers, your intended use makes all the difference. Building an off-road machine? Look for coilovers that can take a beating and provide maximum articulation. Creating an overlanding rig? Prioritize load capacity and comfort for those long hauls.

Rear Suspension Options

Your Tacoma's rear end needs just as much attention as the front. In fact, with all the gear most of us carry in the bed, it often needs even more consideration.

If you are not carrying heavy loads you can get away with just upgrading the rear shocks and not the leaf springs. Regardless, we have found that many customers opt to upgrade both to give their Tacoma the most capability and comfort.

Rear Shocks

Does your Tacmoa have a bad ride quality? Is it too bouncy or too loose? Upgrading your rear shocks is hands down one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make. Good aftermarket shocks provide better damping, heat dissipation, and durability than stock.

Leaf Springs

Leaf springs support the rear of your Tacoma and handle heavy loads. Stock leaf springs quickly become overloaded once you start adding accessories and gear. Upgrading to a quality leaf pack dramatically improves load capacity, ride quality, and off-road performance.

On a tight budget? Consider add-a-leaf kits. They're a cost-effective way to increase load capacity and are perfect when you've underestimated how much weight your build added. Been there, done that!

Lift Kits

Lift kits are often the first upgrade Tacoma owners consider, and for good reason. The right lift gives you better ground clearance, allows for bigger tires, and let's be honest – makes your truck look awesome.

There are several types of lift kits available:

• Spacer Lifts: Affordable and easy to install, these add 1-3 inches without breaking the bank. They're great for mild builds focused on appearance or slightly larger tires. Just don't expect them to hold up to serious off-roading.
• Spring/Strut Lifts: These replace factory components with taller springs or struts, giving both height and performance improvements. This is where you start seeing real capability gains beyond just looks.
• Complete Suspension Lifts: These comprehensive kits replace multiple suspension components for optimal performance and typically include shocks, springs, control arms, and more.

Truck Brigade Recommendation:

Westcott Designs Preload Collar Lift Kit has completely changed my perspective on budget-friendly lifts. Unlike traditional spacer lifts that can lead to premature failures, Westcott's design replaces the factory lower spring collar with a precision-machined billet aluminum collar.

This adds preload to the spring (just like adjustable coilovers) while maintaining proper suspension geometry and travel. You get 1-2 inches of lift without compromising performance or safety. The slightly stiffer ride that some people complain about actually improves on-road handling by reducing body roll. For the convenience and reliability this gives, nothing else comes close.

Full Suspension Kits

Tired of thinking about all these parts? Why not consider a full kit that has everything you need? The best part about it is you’re getting components designed to work together as a system, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

Full suspension kits typically include everything from coilovers/shocks to control arms, leaf springs, and all necessary hardware. They take the guesswork out of building your suspension and often come with detailed installation instructions.

Truck Brigade Recommendations:

Old Man Emu BP-51 Suspension Kit: This system includes their BP-51 shocks, coil springs, and rear leaf packs specifically tuned for your Tacoma. What sets this kit apart is OME's decades of experience creating integrated systems that maintain excellent on-road manners while significantly improving off-road capability. Their progressive-rate springs are perfect for managing varying loads, making this my go-to recommendation for serious overlanders.

Camburg King 3.0 Performance Kit: For those demanding the best off-road performance, this premium kit combines King's 3.0 remote reservoir shocks with Camburg's proven control arms. The King shocks feature adjustable compression and rebound circuits that can be tuned to your specific driving style and terrain.

Paired with Camburg's heavy-duty control arms, this system provides unmatched articulation, durability, and high-speed stability. While it represents a significant investment, the transformation is just something else - especially for high-speed desert running or technical rock crawling, which makes this my top recommendation for serious off-roaders.

Pro Tip: When purchasing a full kit, check if professional installation is included or locally available. If you are unsure, we would be happy to help you locate a reputable shop in your area to complete the installation. Also, inquire about alignment and potential ECU calibration that might be needed after installation, as these are often overlooked but essential steps in completing your suspension upgrade.

Important Things To Consider

Budget Considerations

Suspension upgrades aren’t cheap, but there are options at various price points:

• Entry-Level ($500-1,500): Basic lift kits, spacers, add-a-leafs, and quality replacement shocks. These provide modest improvements in capability and appearance.
• Mid-Range ($1,500-3,500): Complete suspension packages with quality coilovers, full leaf packs, and possibly aftermarket control arms. This range offers substantial performance improvements for most users.
• Premium ($3,500-7,000+): Long travel kits, bypass shocks, custom leaf packs, and comprehensive packages. These systems provide maximum performance for serious enthusiasts.

Remember that installation costs can significantly add up to your total investment. Consider whether you have the tools, skills, and time to perform the installation yourself, or if professional installation makes more sense. For complex suspension installs, I recommend leaving it to the pros unless you're very experienced.

Lift Height and Tire Clearance

Determining the right lift height involves balancing several factors:

Each inch of lift allows for approximately 2 inches of additional tire diameter. However, going too tall can create handling issues and stress on CV joints and other components.

Many states have restrictions on maximum vehicle height. So research your local regulations before going too extreme with your lift.

For most Tacoma owners, a 2-3 inch lift provides the perfect balance of improved capability without excessive complexity or handling compromises. If you are looking for more than 3 inches of lift, you might need additional modifications like differential drops, extended brake lines, and driveline adjustments.

Travel and Articulation

Suspension travel—the distance your suspension can move up and down—is a critical factor in off-road performance. More travel allows your tires to maintain contact with uneven terrain, improving traction and control.

Articulation refers to how well your suspension allows wheels to move independently. Good articulation keeps your tires on the ground when traversing obstacles, which is especially important for technical off-roading.

When evaluating suspension systems, look for:

• Maximum wheel travel specifications
• Flexibility of control arms and mounting points
• Quality of bushings that allow controlled movement

Ride Quality and Comfort

A common misconception is that improving off-road capability must come at the expense of on-road comfort. Modern suspension systems can often improve both, but priorities matter:

• Daily Drivers: Prioritize systems with adjustable damping that can be tuned for comfortable highway driving but firmed up for weekend adventures.
• Dedicated Off-Roaders: Can tolerate firmer on-road manners in exchange for maximum off-road performance.
• Overlanders: They need balanced setups that can handle the extra weight and remain comfortable during long highway stretches while still handling rough terrain when needed.

Taking test drives in similarly equipped Tacomas is invaluable before making your decision. You can also talk to their owners and ask people in forums, but nothing beats experiencing how a suspension actually feels before dropping thousands on your own build.

Brand Reputation and Reviews

The suspension market is crowded with options at every price point. Research is your best tool:

• Established Brands: Companies like Fox, Camburg, King, Dirt King, Icon, and Old Man Emu have proven track records and extensive testing.
• User Reviews: Seek feedback from owners with similar usage patterns to yours.
• Warranties: Quality suspension components typically come with solid warranty coverage, reflecting the manufacturer's confidence.

Be wary of budget options that make claims similar to premium brands—when it comes to suspension, you generally get what you pay for in terms of durability and performance.

Putting It All Together

Choosing the right suspension for your Tacoma is a personal decision based on your specific needs, budget, and how you'll use your truck. The ideal setup for weekend trail runs is completely different from what you'd want for a dedicated overlanding rig or rock crawler.

Start with an honest assessment of how you'll use your truck most frequently, then build a suspension system prioritizing those activities while remaining versatile enough for occasional alternative uses.

Remember that suspension upgrades often work best as complete systems rather than piecemeal modifications. Components designed to work together will provide better overall performance than a collection of mismatched parts.

Whether you're planning epic overlanding expeditions or conquering challenging trails, the right suspension setup will completely transform both your Tacoma's capabilities and your enjoyment of every adventure. Trust me, it's an investment you won't regret!