For off-road enthusiasts, upgrading the suspension on your Toyota Tacoma is one of the best ways to unlock its full potential.
A long travel suspension kit is ideal for those looking to take their Tacoma on rugged trails, through sand dunes, or over rocky terrain.
It increases your suspension’s range of motion, providing better ground clearance, improved handling, and superior control.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about long travel suspension kits for your Tacoma, including the benefits, top brands, and important factors to consider before making the upgrade.
What is a Long Travel Suspension Kit?
A long travel suspension kit is a specialized upgrade that replaces and extends the stock suspension components of your Tacoma.
The kit typically includes extended control arms, longer shocks, and wider axles, all of which work together to increase the wheel travel and the track width of your vehicle.
This allows your truck to handle more extreme off-road conditions, providing better stability and traction over rough terrain.
Benefits of a Long Travel Kit for the Tacoma
- Increased Wheel Travel Long travel suspension kits dramatically increase the vertical range of motion of your wheels, giving your Tacoma the ability to absorb bigger bumps and dips, whether you’re rock crawling or hitting sand dunes.
- Improved Ground Clearance With longer suspension arms and larger shocks, long travel kits provide extra ground clearance, allowing your Tacoma to navigate obstacles with ease, like rocks, ruts, or deep mud.
- Wider Track Width Long travel kits also widen the stance of your truck by several inches on each side. This results in improved stability and control, particularly during fast off-road driving and sharp turns.
- Better Handling Over Rough Terrain The extended suspension components and upgraded shocks significantly improve the way your Tacoma handles uneven and rocky terrains. With better suspension articulation, your truck can maintain traction and stability even in the most rugged conditions.
- Enhanced Durability Most long travel kits are built with heavy-duty materials designed to withstand the stresses of off-road driving. These kits are engineered to handle tougher trails, providing added durability to your suspension system.
Top Long Travel Kits for the Toyota Tacoma
1. Total Chaos Fabrication Long Travel Kit
Total Chaos is one of the leading names in off-road suspension upgrades.
Their long travel kit for the Tacoma offers up to 13 inches of wheel travel, extended control arms, and shock mounts.
The heavy-duty design is built for aggressive off-roading and racing.
- Suspension Travel: 12-13 inches
- Widening: 3-4.5 inches per side
- Features: Boxed control arms, extended shocks, optional bump stops
2. Dirt King Fabrication Long Travel Kit
Dirt King offers a premium long travel kit designed for high-performance off-road adventures.
The kit includes wider upper and lower control arms, coilover shocks, and a reinforced steering system.
It’s ideal for Tacoma owners looking to push their vehicle to its limits in rugged terrain.
- Suspension Travel: 12-14 inches
- Widening: 3.5-4 inches per side
- Features: Custom coilovers, heavy-duty control arms, optional hydraulic bump stops
3. Camburg Engineering Long Travel Kit
Camburg is another popular brand in the off-road suspension world, offering a long travel kit that provides increased wheel travel and a widened track width for better handling.
The kit is designed with racing and aggressive off-roading in mind, featuring heavy-duty components for maximum durability.
- Suspension Travel: 12-14 inches
- Widening: 4-5 inches per side
- Features: Custom control arms, high-performance shocks, reinforced steering
4. Brenthel Industries Long Travel Kit
Known for their high-end, performance-driven products, Brenthel Industries offers a long travel kit that’s built for extreme off-road conditions.
This kit is ideal for desert racing or rock crawling, providing top-notch suspension travel and strength.
- Suspension Travel: 14-18 inches
- Widening: 5 inches per side
- Features: Reinforced control arms, custom coilovers, hydraulic bump stops
Considerations Before Installing a Long Travel Kit
Before diving into the world of long travel suspension, here are a few important factors to consider:
- Tires and Wheels Since long travel kits widen the track width, you may need to upgrade to larger tires and wheels to match the new geometry of your suspension system.
- Body Modifications With a wider stance and increased suspension travel, you may need to modify your Tacoma’s fenders or body panels to avoid tire rub and ensure proper clearance during extreme articulation.
- Cost Long travel kits can be expensive, especially when you factor in the cost of new tires, wheels, and potential body modifications. Be sure to plan your budget accordingly.
- Installation Installing a long travel suspension kit is a complex process that may require professional installation, particularly if your Tacoma needs custom fabrication work. Make sure you have access to an experienced mechanic or off-road shop for installation.
- Street Legality Long travel kits are designed for off-road use and may not be street-legal in all regions. Be sure to check local laws and regulations regarding vehicle modifications before installing the kit.
Final Thoughts
A long travel suspension kit is the ultimate upgrade for off-road enthusiasts who want to maximize their Toyota Tacoma’s capabilities.
With increased wheel travel, better ground clearance, and improved handling, your Tacoma will be ready to tackle any terrain with ease.
Whether you’re racing through the desert or crawling over rocks, a long travel kit will give you the confidence and performance you need to dominate the trails.
