"New to me" 2002 Tacoma 3.4L 4x4 TRD 5spd

Very nice get!!!!!!

 

Burro Wash, Nevada 10/2014:

 

Look at you still flaunting that sunroof

 

lol Oh yea!!!!!

 

Looking good buddy! Was that a solo trip?

 

Thanks Dave,
Yup just my truck and my family. I did plenty of research beforehand so I was quite confident in my ability to complete the trail.

 

Are you thinking of getting offroad bumpers?

 

Yea, I'll get high clearance bumpers some day, when the oem ones fall off. I rather spend my funds on a lift and sliders, skids than on bumpers atm.

 

Good looking 1st gen and nice mod goals (I vote go MT, I'd go MT if I did it over again).

Why are AALs regarded as the 'wrong' way to lift the rear? Makes the ride stiffer vs. complete leaf spring replacements? Sag?

 

AALs seem like a decent option to lift using the OEM springs if they aren't worn out.

The consensus of AAL being the 'wrong' way to lift is:

• the OEM springs are usually worn out. If this is the case, a lot of load is transferred into the AAL wearing it out pretty quickly, so you've wasted time and money putting a band-aid fix on the rear.
• AALs don't add (much if any) load capacity

 

Yeah, the only way I would consider an aal is if my spring pack was brand new, and would look into a progressive aal. The Dakar packs are reasonably priced, and the aal ome sells helps with load if you need it.

Also, if I had to do it again, might have looked into mid travel up front. Just my 0.02

 

Tell me about it. I have Camburg UCAs so just need to invest in extended travel coilovers vs. the 5100s w/ 880s I have now... maybe new LCA busings, ball joint etc. I do like the 880/881 spring rate though, but when I get a bumper it may be too soft (I mention this as the OP mentions bumpers as a goal).

Mine are OE and old, but in my defense old man 4wd looked at pics of my springs and verified they looked pretty healthy (previous owner granny drove the truck).

Some seem to be made to add, but some even loose load capacity. In my case, I followed advise and took out the overloads when putting in the wheelers 3 leaf progressive, effectively lowering my capacity a few hundred pounds. I don't haul so I don't loose sleep over it- was looking for a smoother ride but I think my 5125s are preventing that--- OP IMO don't go 5125s unless you have a heavy rear load IMO, stick with 5100 or Fox/Icon etc with a nice soft rate.

Not meaning to thread jack, hoping the OP gets some good info from this.

 

Front: King 2.5 Coilovers stock travel (for now)
Rear: Deaver F42 (7-leaf), Billies 5125, oem shackles and BPV relocation

Still need to measure all four sides, might need to bring the nose up a bit and get it aligned. I couldn't get the upper (10mm) bolt loose on the brake extension so that will be next. I also have to measure my bumps before I install the 4.5" Energy Suspension bumps that I picked up a few days ago. Over all though, not a bad job for two poser mechanics with hand tools, a jack and stands. Thank GOD, we ran into zero rust/seize issues. And the rides feels like night and day! Also, no vibrations so far.

 

Nice! Truck looks good!

 

Nice!

 

Very nice truck.

 

Thanks! I couldn't get the damn top nut (10mm) loose on the brake line. I was careful NOT to over stretch that brake line. I still have to get to that.

Thank you bro! I couldn't be happier.

Thank you!

 

Yeah, that nut is a bitch to get to. I just did the Tundra brake upgrade weeks ago and went with Wheeler's front brake lines and rear extended line. The lines took the longest to do.

Did you try spraying it with some liquid wrench/pb blaster/wd-40?

 

Did you try removing that bracket that is held on by two bolts? It lets you get your flare wrench on the nut easier and allows for more rotation.

 

Tundra brakes you say? Wow, did you get a new front bumper w/a winch? What about your rear, are you planning on doing a disc conversion?

NO - I didn't spray anything. I was about to spray it w/PB Blaster but chickened out at the last second cause I didn't want to ruin anything. It's safe then ha?

No, I didn't do that either. BUT, I will. Do you think that I can do it w/o having to lift and/or remove the back tire?

Thanks guys!