Last updated: September 2026 Written by the LiftKitGuide Team, truck suspension installers and editors
The best 3rd gen Tacoma lift kit for most 2016-2023 trucks is a 2.5 to 3 inch setup with adjustable front coilovers and a new rear leaf pack. Quality kits cost $1,000 to $2,500 in parts and $1,500 to $3,500 installed, and they clear 285/70R17 tires with light trimming.
Key takeaways
- The 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma uses front coilovers and rear leaf springs, so a complete lift replaces both ends.
- A Bilstein 6112/5160 kit with an Old Man Emu medium leaf pack costs about $1,350 and gives 2.5 to 3 inches of lift, per SRQ Fabrications.
- Above about 3 inches of front lift, aftermarket upper control arms are needed to stop ball joint bind.
- A 285/70R17 tire, about 32.7 inches tall, is the most popular size on a lifted 3rd gen Tacoma.
- Lift kits for the 2016-2023 truck do not fit the 2024 and newer 4th gen Tacoma.
On this page
This page covers the 3rd gen setups that work, tire sizes, what wears out, cost and the install. For every Tacoma generation in one place, see our Toyota Tacoma lift kits guide.
What makes a good 3rd gen Tacoma lift?
A good 3rd gen Tacoma lift matches the front coilover height to a rear leaf pack rated for the weight you carry. A coilover is a shock with the coil spring mounted around it. Lifting only the front with spacers leaves the rear sagging once you add a bed rack, toolbox or camper.
The rear is where cheap kits cut corners. A lift block or shackle raises the rear but adds no load capacity, so the truck sags under weight. A new leaf pack from Old Man Emu, Deaver or Dakar lifts the rear and carries the load.
Which 3rd gen Tacoma lift kits are worth buying?
The right kit for a 2016-2023 Tacoma depends on budget and how much weight you carry. Prices below are typical 2026 street prices.
| Kit | Lift height | Price range | What’s included | Best for | Not good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough Country 3 in. | 3 in. | $150-$600 | Strut spacers, rear blocks or add-a-leaf, shocks | Tight budgets | Ride quality, heavy loads |
| Bilstein 6112/5160 + OME leaf | 2.5-3 in. | $1,300-$1,600 | Adjustable struts, rear shocks, leaf pack | Daily drivers with gear | Lifts over 3 in. |
| Old Man Emu (ARB) | 2-3 in. | $1,000-$3,600 | Coilovers or BP-51 bypass, leaf pack | Overlanding | Budget buyers |
| ToyTec Boss | 2-3 in. | $1,300-$2,000 | Adjustable coilovers, rear shocks | Value performance | Heavy loads without a leaf pack |
| Icon Stage 2-6 | 0-3.5 in. | $2,000-$6,000 | Coilovers, rear shocks, UCAs on higher stages | Fast trail driving | Budget builds |
For a daily-driven 3rd gen with a bed rack or toolbox, the Bilstein 6112/5160 with an OME medium leaf pack is the better choice because it holds weight, rides well, and costs a third of a bypass kit.
What size tires fit a 3rd gen Tacoma with a lift?
A 3rd gen Tacoma with a 2.5 to 3 inch lift fits 285/70R17 tires with light trimming of the front plastic and mud flaps. A 285/75R17, about 33.8 inches, usually needs a body mount chop, which means cutting and re-welding the front cab mount so the tire clears at full lock. Stock tires on the TRD Off-Road measure about 30.6 inches (265/70R16).
| Lift | Tire | Height | Work needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | 265/70R16 | 30.6 in. | None |
| 1-2 in. level | 265/75R16 | 31.6 in. | Minor trimming |
| 2.5-3 in. | 285/70R17 | 32.7 in. | Light trimming |
| 3 in. with UCAs | 285/75R17 | 33.8 in. | Body mount chop |
What wears out on a lifted 3rd gen Tacoma?
A lifted 3rd gen Tacoma wears CV axle boots, upper ball joints and front differential bushings faster than stock. Keep front lift at or below about 3 inches to protect the CV axles, and add upper control arms if you go higher. The 2023 Tacoma lift kit market is the same as for 2016 trucks, so these limits apply to every year of the generation.
Safety note: A lift changes brake line slack, steering geometry and suspension load. Get a professional alignment the same day.
How much does a 3rd gen Tacoma lift cost installed?
A 3rd gen Tacoma lift costs about $1,500 to $3,500 installed for a quality 2.5 to 3 inch setup, and $4,000 to $8,000 with bypass shocks and upper control arms. Labor runs 4 to 8 hours at $100 to $175 per hour, plus $100 to $200 for the alignment. Our suspension lift kit installation cost guide explains how shops quote it, and leveling kit vs lift kit covers the cheaper route.
How do you install a coilover and leaf pack lift on a 3rd gen Tacoma?
A coilover and leaf pack lift on a 2016-2023 Tacoma takes 5 to 8 hours for two people at home. Follow the kit’s instructions and torque chart.
- Measure ride height at all four wheel openings.
- Raise the truck, support the frame on jack stands, and remove the wheels.
- Disconnect the sway bar links, tie rod ends and upper ball joint on one side.
- Remove the lower coilover bolt and the three upper nuts, then pull the factory strut.
- Install the assembled coilover and reconnect the ball joint, tie rod and sway bar link.
- Repeat on the other side.
- In the rear, support the axle, remove the U-bolts and shackle bolts, and install the new leaf pack and shocks.
- Torque every fastener at ride height and get an alignment the same day.
Safety note: Never disassemble a coilover without a proper spring compressor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best 3rd gen Tacoma lift for daily driving?
A 2.5 to 3 inch coilover and leaf pack lift is best. A Bilstein 6112/5160 kit with an Old Man Emu medium leaf pack costs about $1,350, rides well, carries a bed rack or toolbox, and clears 285/70R17 tires. It keeps factory upper control arms and CV angles in a safe range.
Does a 2023 Tacoma lift kit fit a 2016?
Yes. The 2016 through 2023 Tacoma share the same front coilover mounts and rear leaf spring layout, so 3rd gen lift kits fit every year. Check the cab length and bed length for leaf pack fitment. Kits for the 2024 and newer Tacoma will not fit.
Do I need upper control arms on a 3rd gen Tacoma?
No, not below about 3 inches. Most 2 to 2.5 inch lifts align within spec on factory arms. Above 3 inches, aftermarket upper control arms costing $500 to $1,200 restore ball joint angle and alignment range and reduce tire contact with the arm.
What tires fit a 3 inch lifted 3rd gen Tacoma?
285/70R17 tires fit. A 3-inch lift on a 3rd gen Tacoma clears 285/70R17 tires, about 32.7 inches tall, with light trimming. A 285/75R17, about 33.8 inches, usually needs a body mount chop and more trimming.
Can I lift a 3rd gen TRD Pro?
Yes. The 3rd gen TRD Pro already sits about 1 inch higher on Fox shocks, so most owners add a rear leaf pack and adjust or replace the front coilovers for 1 to 2 more inches. Buy kits that list TRD Pro fitment, because some budget strut spacers do not.
The bottom line
The right 3rd gen Tacoma lift kit for most owners is a 2.5 to 3 inch coilover and leaf pack setup on 285/70R17 tires. It rides well, carries gear, and avoids the cost of control arms, body mount chops and regearing.
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