Need Quick Lift Advise!! THANKS IN ADVANCE

Hi all,

I appreciate any and all input you guys have while I start my lift tomorrow. I have the day off due to bad weather, so ill be pulling my taco into the garage and getting right to work.

I have TUFF COUNTRY UCA's and 1.5 inch strut spacers.

Can anyone confirm this will lift the front end on my 2005 tacoma? I do not wheel my truck, the most is an occasional gravel road.


This is how the truck sits now. I plan to video tape all of the lift process because I have found barely any videos on installation.




Tuff country UCA's



Strut Spacers




I will torque everything to spec, and I called the alignment shop and they said come by whenever.

Anything to look out for? I appreciate any input.

Thanks!!!
-05TACOBEAST

 

No one has any input?? thanks TWF...

 

Alot of stigma attached to spacers around here. Most members attempt to "upgrade" when doing suspension mods. Spacers will not be an upgrade from stock. With that being said, they will probably work great for you. If its good looks your after, they will work.

 

Yep, it'll lift the front end of the truck. If you have a 4x4, just keep an eye on the CV boots, if pre-runner, no worries.

 

1.5 inch spacer will get you about 2-2.5 inches of lift in the front. May have some lean going on toward the rear.

Your going to have to bend some metal to get the uca bolt out/in. Grease well.

 

You will most likely be fine. It would be a good idea to space the bump stops at least 1/2" because the shock will likely be absorbing some of the bump without it.

I'm ASSuming you will get ~2.75" of front lift and you will need a new flat bill hat and some ridiculous tattoos to go with it until you lift the rear.

 

thanks for the response! after thinking it through, I will put in the spacer and UCA tomorrow and begin my search for coil-overs for the future. The spacers were something like ($40) so I will run them for a little.

 

Ill make sure to check that out after i put some miles on everything. I do have 4x4, what kinds of things should i be looking for in the cv boot? cracking?

 

I saw i would have to bend some metal, im concerned with how hard taking the UCA bolt apart will be, its a 2005, not sure if they have ever been removed.... ill update tomorrow. thank you.

 

im going to look into bump stop spacers/ larger bump stops, thanks. also, rear lift coming soon... how big should i go to level it out?

 

I'd wait to see how much lift you get from the front. I'm guessing you'll want at least a 1" lift in the rear.

 

Shouldn't be hard once you bend the sheet metal a little. Mine is an 05 and the bolt came right out.

 

Biggest issue, when removing or installing the shock, that you don't rip the CV boot by hitting it with the shock or a tool. The other issue which seems to be less of an issue, is too much lift; the CV angle will be too sever causing the fins on the boot to rub and wear prematurely.

 

I'm about to put the strut back in on passenger side. Has some issue disconnecting the swaybar end link but alittle heat and liquid wrench helped out.

 

Finished everything up. I'm happy with how it turned out.

It took 4 hours total for my to do myself.

So here's my measurements from before:

(Measured from floor, in line with the center of my wheels, to the bottom of the fenders.

Driver: 35-3/4"
Pass: 35-3/4"

I was surprised both sides were even!

And after:

Driver: 38-3/4"
Pass: 38-7/8"

Overall I gained about 3 inches of lift in the front from my spacers.

Here's a before photo



You can see that I had barely any clearance. Minor rubbing.

And here's and after photo.



I'm looking at rear lift options now. Any suggestions? I tow my boat occasionally so maybe a leaf pack?

 

Control Arms provide no lift. Truck looks good though. If you tow regularly replace the leaf packs. I am happy with OME dakars. Much, much better than stock.

 

thanks! would i need new shocks to go with dakars?

 

Just a word of advice, measure from center of the wheel hub to your fender so your measurements can be compared to others on TW. Measuring from the ground means very little.

 

oooooo..i didnt know that, gotcha. i will keep this in mind for the future. thanks

 

You got it.