You didn't buy a 4th Gen Tacoma to leave it stock. And if you're reading this, you've probably already felt the moment the factory suspension taps out. Maybe it was the squat when you loaded up for a trip, or the way the back end wallowed across a washboard road.
Either way, you're in the right place. Between the kits, lift heights, and spring rates flying around every forum thread, just figuring out where to start is half the battle. So let's cut through it. Here is everything you need to know about upgrading the stock suspension on your 2024–2026 Tacoma and choosing the right 4th Gen Tacoma lift kit for your build.
Why Your 4th Gen Tacoma Needs a Suspension Upgrade
Your 4th Gen Tacoma's factory suspension is tuned for an empty truck and an average driver. Add a bumper, a winch, a bed rack, or a weekend's worth of gear and the stock setup starts to struggle: rear squat, nose dive under braking, a busy ride over washboard, and a floaty, unsettled feel the moment you hit the dirt.
A proper 4th Gen Tacoma suspension upgrade fixes four things at once:
- Load support: restores your stance and payload after you've added weight. This is the single most common complaint on the 4th Gen.
- Ride control: keeps your tires planted for more grip, shorter stops, and a calmer truck at speed.
- Clearance: you finally have room for 33s or 35s, plus better approach, departure, and breakover angles.
- Heat management: premium shocks resist fade on long, fast trails.
Lift is the visible result. Control, capability, and durability are why it actually matters.
Who Is Old Man Emu?
If you're new to the off-road world, you'll hear the name Old Man Emu (OME) a lot, and for good reason. OME is our suspension line, with decades of engineering and testing behind it. Every OME kit for the Tacoma is a matched system: shocks, springs, and supporting parts designed and engineered to work together for your truck and your load, not a box of mismatched components you're left to sort out yourself.
What sets OME apart is how that system is built. Every OME kit replaces the hardware with purpose-built components: aerospace-grade aluminum shock bodies, forged parts, and race-derived technology on our top-tier kits. The payoff is a suspension that doesn't just sit higher, it performs better in every condition, from the daily commute to the tougher trails.
Want proof we know this platform? The new Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter rolls off the line on Old Man Emu suspension. When a manufacturer picks a brand as original equipment on its flagship off-road trim, that's about the strongest endorsement you can get.
The Old Man Emu Suspension Kits for the 4th Gen Tacoma
We keep it simple for the 4th Gen, two shock platforms: the MT64, the do-it-all kit most owners want, and the BP-51, the adjustable flagship for serious builds.
MT64 – Best All-Around Suspension (Most Popular)
If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: for most owners, the MT64 is the answer. It's a monotube shock with a large 2.8-inch aluminum body and a 2.5-inch piston, bigger than most kits in its class. That extra size moves more oil, which means better control and a smoother ride. It bolts straight in with no cutting or fabrication, and gives you up to 3 inches of front lift that you can set to the exact height you want. The result is a smooth, planted ride on and off the road, with the kind of quality you'd usually only get from a far more expensive setup.
The aerospace-grade aluminum body sheds heat about 15x faster than steel, so it shrugs off a long trail instead of fading on you. The forged caps and rod ends keep it strong and light, and the digressive valving stays plush over small stuff and firms up when you hit a big obstacle.
Best for: daily drivers, weekend overlanders, and trucks running a bumper or rack.
BP-51 – Best Premium and Overland Suspension
When you're ready for the best, the BP-51 is one of the most capable bolt-on shocks you can put under a Tacoma. It's a user-adjustable internal bypass shock with remote reservoirs, and gives you 10 levels of compression and 10 levels of rebound adjustability, set independently on every corner. Stiffen it for a loaded tow, soften it for a plush trail ride, and re-tune as your build changes, no new parts required. The remote reservoirs add cooling for when you're really pushing it. Like the MT64, it bolts in and delivers up to 3 inches of front lift.
Best for: heavily built rigs and dedicated overlanders carrying real weight, and anyone who wants the best ride out there with the freedom to fine-tune it themselves.
Every kit is matched, tuned, and backed by a 36-month / 37,000-mile limited warranty that reflects the confidence behind it.
MT64 vs BP-51
| MT64 | BP-51 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Monotube | Monotube Multi-zone Internal Bypass |
| Body Size | 2.8in | 2.8in |
| Piston Size | 2.5in | 2in |
| Adjustable Strut Height | Snap Ring | Threaded Body |
| Adjustable Dampening | None | Compression & Rebound |
| Remote Reservoir | None | Yes |
The 4th Gen's New Rear Suspension: Coil vs Leaf
Here's a platform change worth understanding before you buy. For the first time, Toyota split the Tacoma's rear suspension by trim. The base SR, SR5 XtraCab, and TRD PreRunner use traditional leaf springs, while the upper Double Cab trims (TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro) get a new multi-link coil-sprung rear. The difference? Coil springs ride smoother and articulate better off-road; leaf springs carry and tow heavier loads.
Our OME kits are built around that coil-sprung rear, which is what most 4th Gen builders are running. We match the rear coil springs to your real load so the truck sits level and rides right.
The Most Important Choice: Spring Rate
Spring rate sounds technical, but it comes down to one simple idea: match the spring to the weight your truck carries. Our springs come in light, medium, and heavy rates, and the right one depends on the permanent weight your truck carries:
- Light: a mostly empty truck with light accessories.
- Medium (0–300 lbs): rack, sliders, a modest setup.
- Heavy (600+ lbs): steel bumpers, winch, drawer system, fridge, rooftop tent.
Choose your springs for the build you're working toward, not just the truck as it sits today. Too soft and you'll squat and bottom out; too stiff for the load and the ride turns harsh. It's the most important decision in the process.
That said, your spring choice isn't permanent. Many owners start out exploring quiet forest roads, then gradually add armor, drawers, and a rooftop tent as their build evolves. If that's the path you take, springs can be swapped down the road to match. Build for the truck you have now, and upgrade as your needs grow.
How Much Lift, and Do You Need Upper Control Arms?
Most of our kits for the 4th Gen land in the 2–3 inch range, and that's the sweet spot for a reason. It's enough to clear 33s comfortably (35s with supporting mods), open up your approach, departure, and breakover angles, and transform how the truck sits and handles, without the pricey frame work and drivetrain headaches that come with going taller.
But lifting the front changes one thing you can't ignore: your suspension geometry. That's where upper control arms come in.
At a full 3 inches of front lift, you'll want to add our OME upper control arms. First, they will give you additional articulation range with stronger, more durable ball joints built to handle the increased movement a lifted truck demands. Second, they will reposition the ball joint to correct your suspension geometry after the lift, adding back the caster angle you need for a proper alignment. This isn't just about preventing failures. It's about keeping your truck driving the way it should, both on the highway and on the trail.
Bottom line: start with how you really use your truck, match the springs to your real load, and pick the platform that fits your budget.
How Hard Is Installation?
All OME kits are bolt-on with no welding or cutting required. That said, it's a serious job. The work involves compressed springs, which can be dangerous without the proper tools and experience.
If you're installing it yourself, set aside a full day, use a quality spring compressor, and enlist a second set of hands. If you'd rather have it done professionally, any reputable 4x4 shop can complete the install in a few hours. Either way, three things are essential:
- Upper control arms if you're running a full 3-inch front lift.
- A professional alignment afterward, every time, without exception.
- A fender clearance check if you've moved up in tire size.
Build It Right
Your 4th Gen Tacoma is an excellent foundation, and suspension is where a capable truck becomes the one you've always wanted. Whether you're correcting a squatted rear end, fitting larger tires, or building a rig to cross a continent, there's an Old Man Emu kit engineered for the job.
Ready to find your fit? Explore the full Old Man Emu suspension lineup for the 4th Gen Tacoma and build the truck you've always wanted.