New Tacoma owner, need advice on removing body lift/new lift

Hey, all. I am new to this forum and a new toyota tacoma prerunner owner. I bought it and it has 6in body lift on it. I hate this and want to remove it, would it be hard to remove this myself? Also, I would like to put a new lift on it, I have read a bunch of threads but don't really answer my questions;
Will the bilstein/OEM combo be acceptable for minor off roading? And in the future if I want to get a bigger lift is there a way to add to that lift setup, or would I have to get a complete new lift? I eventually want to get a long travel installed, but can't do it now. My budget is about $1,000.

 

Most 6 inch lifts (IIRC) include cutting out the factory cross member to install the one included in the lift. I am sure there is some way to undo what has been done but I'm not sure it is going to be worth the effort. Why settle for something you hate?

 

I didn't settle, I like the truck, and I like a challenge. Haha, but I was also informed it was a suspension lift, which I am aware now that it's not. Is there anyway to lower the lift? Even going over speed bumps too fast it hits real hard. What is that from?

 

To really know how to help, a picture of your setup would be nice if you have one.

 

I was thinking the same

 

Well since you've never seen it before, I probably don't have it!

 

pics or it didnt happen

 

So, tell me I was wrong....

 

Okay, good. I didn't want a 6 in body lift, so that's good news. Now, can I just remove that block fairly easily? And how do I go about taking the spacer off of the front. Is the spacer the reason I hit bumps so hard?

 

I was wondering when I was going to be sent to the search button...

thanks for the help guys

 

pictures of what exactly?

 

So far it look like it is neither a 6" lift of any kind, or a body lift of any kind. But we need better pics to tell.

 

If you look in the rear wheel wells between the frame and the bed supports there will be blocks or spacers between there if you have a body lift. Could either be metal or something like hard rubber supports. Pictures would be best to tell thought like others have said.

 

Okay, I only have one of the side that I took earlier. I can take more tomorrow

Let me post the other one up

 

hope this pic helps out a little, I will post more tomorrow morning

 

Can you take a pic a little lower down? What size tires are those?

 

Considering I just did a trade and landed myself with an 03 prerunner that has 3" blocks & spacer and 3" body lift. I understand how you are not pleased with its appearance!!!

If you want to know about body lift look behind bumper and see if there are black round plastic spacers between the frame and the body. You can look behind either bumper, or in other multiple locations of the truck.


Start off with checking bumpers to see if they have lifting plates on them that put them higher up than stock location. (if they sit level with current bed and cab, then yes they do.) If so, remove both bumpers and reinstall using same bolts only without the lifting plates.

Also a block may have been attached to the frame behind the rear wheels that would act as a support if a heavier load was put in the bed, if you have those go ahead and get them off. If welded, carefully grind through welds and then tap off with a rubber mallet/hammer.

To remove these blocks, your going to need to prepare your self by getting shorter bolts. The bolts for the bed are 12mm 1.25 bolts and need to be around 40-45mm long, thats for the two bolts that screw into the bed. The rear bolts just have a bolt and a nut and you can replace them with 12mm 35-45mm long bolts doesnt matter what pitch as long as you have nuts for the bolts.

Before you attempt to lower your truck put some towels between the bed and cab. look under the truck and check and see how the filler neck (gas hose) is connected and make sure to unscrew gas cap!

Then remove all bolts (6 total) that attach the bed to the frame. Then carefully lift one side at a time and remove the 3" black round plastic spacers and slowly let the bed down and try not to let it slide. Do the same to the other side.

For the cab, the bolts are 10mm and need to be about 4" long (3" shorter than what is in there now) you will also need nuts for these and save the washers that are already on it.

Also before you start remove the grill and take the radiator bolts out that hold the radiator to the body, then loosen the steering shaft that has probably been adjusted for the lift.

Next, there is 6 bolts total for cab, 2 in front behind the front bumper, the other 4 are located inside the cab. Remove the plastic pieces holding down the carpet at the door and the kick panels (easily pop off) and pull back the carpet. You will see round black caps, pop them off and there are your front two bolts. Since you have an extra cab the other bolts are located behind the front seats near the back of the cab. Take out the little storage compartment tops (located under rear seats) and there will be plastic caps there. Remove those and there are your last 2 bolts. Remove all the bolts and slowly and carefully jack up each side, most likely have to jack up near the bolts, and remove each spacer on that side and slowly let the side down and then repeat for other side.

Reinstall all shorter bolts previously listed, and adjust if necessary.

Hope I didnt leave out anything!! I just did this a couple days ago. If you prepare yourself with the right tools and replacement bolts then it should only take a few hours.

 

Lol, I was just trying to give somewhat detailed instructions. It is really simple, but this guy seemed like he needed the details.

Plus, it is nice to know what size bolts you need. I never could find bed bolt size and pitch... Everyone just kept saying 12mm, well there are 3 different pitch sizes when dealing with metric bolts!! Not just coarse or fine thread like standard!