New Lift Questions

What is installed:

- Bilstein 5100 front/rear
- Eibach Coils
- 2" Toytec AAL
- Front Diff drop

After the lift:

Trucks rides great in the city but on the highway at 70+ MPH I notice my steering wheel tugs right and left.

Shop said I am at the maximum setting even though I told them not to exceed 2.5" because I want to keep my stock UCAs. I told them about the issue they said it sounds like wheel balance is off. I am not sure how high I am but it looks like 3"

Question:

- Is this because of my stock UCAs? or is it just my wheel balance? Alignment shop did not put weights on the outside ( Wheel: Pro Comp 7089)

Truck with the lift before I get bigger tires:

 

Did the shop use the highest perch setting on the 5100s with the Eibach coils? That will give you excessive lift. Take a photo so we can see how many snap ring grooves are showing above the perch.

Ask your alignment shop for the result sheet and see how much caster you have. If it's near zero, then UCAs are the answer to get more caster.

 

Can you post a copy of your alignment report ?
Your pic looks like you're over 3" in the front.
Might want to check those half shaft (CV) angles, too.

 

As above , your caster is probably maxxed out on your stock UCA's

 

Pictures have been updated above

 

Looks like you're at the highest setting on the Bilstein.
The lowest (0.0) or second (.85) setting is most commonly done with the Eibachs.
Can't see your halfshafts (CV's).

1. You're way high for this type of lift
2. I'll bet your caster number is way low
3. You might have to go to aftermarket UCA's
4. You might also have to find an alignment shop that is familiar with lifted vehicles
5. Caster needs to be between 2.4 and 3.1

 

The Eibachs by themselves usually provide 3" & I see your not set at 0' as you should be, 5100's are always set at 0' w/Eibachs for 1st @ 2nd gens.

lower your ride hight & live happy forever.....

 

maybe balance the tires.So it doesnt tug

 

Alright, Im gon go tell the shop to fix it for free. Is it safe to drive? Also how does the CV look?

 

Keep a close eye on them if they set up Eibachs and Bilsteins like this.

Can't see enough in the pic, plus they will improve once they set you up correctly.

 

Thanks, jflan. Is it safe to drive this truck on the highway?

 

The spring perch is on the 2nd highest setting, which provides 1.75" lift on its own with stock springs, according to Bilstein's instructions:
http://cart.bilsteinus.com/pdfs/E4-WM5-Y323A00.pdf

The Eibachs are sized for 1.6" lift on their own, according to Toytec's page: Stack these together and you are at about 3.4", which is too high, as evidenced by the severe (and destructive) angle at the inboard CV boots.

Go back to the shop and get them to move the spring perch to the 3rd highest setting, which gives 0.85" lift. 0.85" + 1.6" = about 2.5". When they do the alignment, ask them to maximize caster, even if it results in slight positive camber.

 

Thanks, will I need new UCAs even at 2.5"?

 

The stock UCAs will be a compromise at 2.5" - the shop can adjust the LCA cams to maximize caster, but they won't reach the desirable 3 deg., and in the process will end up with some positive camber, which is not good for handling. In the end it depends on what you can live with. Steering feel won't be as good as stock height, but an improvement over what you have now.

If you decide to go for UCAs, go to a better shop. If they can butcher a simple strut lift like this, I wouldn't trust them with UCAs. The uniball UCAs require more care at installation than stock UCAs, and even Toyota dealers can't always do them correctly.

 

That's on a 1st gen .

They provide 1.6" on the 2nd gens

on the 2nd gens the billies can be at .85 , lots running that set up .

 

You are right great OZ, I keep forgetting about the difference's with plastic gens.

 

^Plastic doesn't rust; those of us outside the desert states can appreciate that.

 

Anyone have a decent pair of UCAs? Someone recommend me good shop in Bellingham WA.

 

I went with LR UCA's because I wanted a sealed ball joint for my winter driving conditions .

 

Sounds good thanks, I will update the photos when I get the shocks installed correctly. Any idea how much it costs to get UCAs installed and I'm guessing will need alignment again.