Lift kit just arrived and seeking advice!

Hi guys im new to all this but ever since i bought my taco i knew that i was going to lift it eventually well now the time has come. i have a 03 ext cab and i bought the OME kit from toytec lifts. im not helpless i know my way around tools but i thought that a little advice couldnt hurt. does anyone have any tips or things to look out for when i start? im getting a buddy to help me out hes done a body lift but never a suspension lift. I think that this will deffinatly be a learning experience but a lot of fun at the same time and ive already been looking into more mods to do once this is done. Any advice is welcome and thank you in advance

 

double check all your bolts and nuts after a hundred miles to make sure they haven't broken lose.

 

depending on how much rust is on your truck you should maybe hit some of the nuts and bolts your going to be removing with some wd40 or any kind penetrating fluid a day or so before you intend on removing them. it might save ya a broken bolt or a busted knuckle

 

heres tw member jdmcq's build thread on his OME kit, TC UCAs and Dakar Leafs. this should help ya out

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/55486-1st-gen-suspension-install.html

 

Thanks Ant, I was just looking for that link.

Quast, make sure that you hook the anti-sway bar back up when you are finished.

 

Oh, get yourself a set of ratcheting box wrenches (gearwrench type). It will make removal and install of the strut top nuts alot easier.

 

nice thanks guys. yeah i read on another thread to hit the bolts with some penetrating fluid so ive been doing so for 2 days now. really appreciate the help guys hoping to get this all installed today maybe ill try and get some pics up if anyone wants to see them.

 

yah man we definitly want to see some pics when your done. johns right about the ratcheting box end wrench, it would definitly make things a little easier. its pretty tight to get a ratchet under there and its really slow going with a wrench.

 

yeah the gear wrenches would have been nice but i managed to get them out all right. but i only managed to get the front suspension together today. i went to do the back but i couldn't get the U-bolts off of the leaf pack they were too far gone even with all the penetrating oil I used for the last 2 days on them. tried to heat them up and managed to get one of them off but the other just wasn't having any of it sooo i guess im just going to be riding a little high in the front since no machine shop or auto parts stores are open tomorrow. im going to have buy 4 new U-bolts and just cut them off. o well shit happens i suppose but the front end looks awesome ahah.

 

You should replace the u-bolts anyway. You will likely have an issue with the front spring bolt as well. Be prepared to have to cut it off. A grinder with a thin cutting wheel works perfectly. Be prepared to replace all of the bolts back there with new grade8 hardware. It is cheap and a good investment.

 

alright sounds good do you know the specs on them so that i can get them before next weekend? i just need to get stock ones im only doing a aal not the dakar pack like you have i think.

 

I got my threads confused. You won't need to remove your springs, so no need to cut and replace the bolts. As far as the U-bolts go, They are 1/2" diameter.

 

k nice to know im just going to go to the local spring shop and get some. do you know where the BPV-K BPV extension goes? is it in the rear i just dont know what BPV stands for or anything lol newb i know. also im noticing like a shuuder around 50mph and above it will start and go away come back for a few seconds is that just a balancing and alignment issue or is it something bigger then that?

 

What does this extension look like? Can you put up a pic?

 

this shudder or vibe is due to incorrect pinion angle most likely, try correcting it with axle shims or a carrier bearing drop. do this after youve installed the aal though.

 

here is a pic of the extension not much to it though

 

ooo nvm just occurred to me to look at the toytec page and see what it was its a brake proportioning valve kit lol now if i only knew where it went aha ill figure it out. now the axle shims or the carrier barring drop are those things very hard to do or is it something i should be able to do myself you think?

 

Yep, that is the proportioning valve relocation bracket. The valve is right on top of the pumpkin on the rear axle.

 

Both the axle shims and carrier bearing drop are easy. The shims require you to remove the axle u-bolts, lower the axle and install the shims. The bearing drop is just a spacer under the bearing mount, one could use washers for a spacer.

 

x2 on the washers, cheaper then buying an actual cb drop