Installing 3" front/2" Rear lift kit on 2016 TRD & shop says shocks wont work?

here is a link to the kit I bought:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2017-T...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Made by SDT Company
Not supposed to need to change anything else but:


I bought this kit for my 2016 Tacoma TRD off road 3.5l.
Before I bought it, I asked vendor by email if it required anything else to make it work and specifically if it would work with my current suspension and shocks without any replacements necessary. The answer was yes.

Upon installing it, my shop contacted me and told me the rear shocks are not long enough to work with this kit. They said it can technically be bolted up but the shop believes the shocks need to be 2" longer or they will break in no time as they are extended all the way out.
Anyone have any similar experiences like this.

Also my shop says they had no idea where some extra parts were supposed to mount that were supposedly for the differential drop.

 

You need a better shop and a better lift

 

Yea, that's helpful bud

 

They're actually right for once, which is refreshing. Without running shocks designed for the rear lift, you can overextend them. If you just drive around on-road, you'll be fine. Off-road you'll have a problem.

As far as the diff drop goes, show them these instructions.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-how-to-install-a-toytec-diff-drop-pics.53991/

 

Interesting that on the Ebay page when you complete the truck selection in the lower portion and choose 2016 it's OK, but 2017 fails. I wonder why?
This part is not compatible with 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Crew Cab Pickup 4-Door 3.5L 3456CC V6 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated.

Not that it matters for you, I just noticed it. Probably a validation error. I don't think anything changed.

 

Thanks much, very nice and helpful. If YOU were going to put some new shocks on it to counteract this kits increased height issues, what are my options for a bit longer shock?

 

Is 2 inches too much lift? Is that the problem? That doesn't seem like much.

 

Thats unsettling none the less, its the same truck and set up, should not matter, I knew this ebay thing was a bad idea. LOL

 

The 2" is in the rear and 3" in the front, yea, its doesnt seem crazy to need new shocks to be sure

 

There's no difference in 2016/2017, so don't worry about that. If you want some proper shocks, this is what you want. Send a message to @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc and they'll get you a discounted quote.

 

thanks bud. mike

 

Do not install the diff drop, it's been discussed 1 million times for the 2016 and 17's they are not helpful and can damage more than they can help, you can buy shock extenders online they would get you through until you have enough money to replace him. Full size trucks use them all the time

 

1 MILLION times?! Why are they so bad?!

 

From what I read the turn the transfer case but do not drop the differential- and do not lower the angles of the axel shafts

 

I'll start by saying you're not wrong in that it rotates it. However this is the same design in the 2005-2015 as well. It will not do any harm, and does in fact help a tiny bit. There have been no cases of failed diffs that I have ever read on here, aside from one moron who raced his truck and hit a rock but that's beside the point.

 

Also I read about possible less lubrication with diff tilted. I'm not installing one, and when I have not seen any well established offroad shop recommending them such as Wheelers / SDHQ, i feel confident in my decision, your opinion may very.

 

Many people say this, yet I go back to my original statement of there isn't a single documented case of a diff failing from lack of oil.

 

Guys this is some very good information and good discussion. I would say this if we're not going to accomplish improving the Driveline angle by way of the differential drop is there some better way to do it? How is it done in cases where you're doing a top-of-the-line job by a professional company doing the best job possible and covering all the bases. Is there some very expensive or cream of the crop way to do this but most people can't afford to do it right? I find it hard to believe that there is no way to address and proving the Driveline angle short of just saying you can try the differential drop but it has pros and cons and barely helps or don't do anything at all and take the chance of premature Italy wearing at U joints and carrier bearings

 

Also as it relates to these shock extenders where are good places to get these and is this an acceptable practice? I've never heard of it but it sounds like an interesting idea. I'm wondering if this is considered to be a half-assed way to do this or if it is acceptable and if it is acceptable why don't people just do this instead of buying new shocks or is it an opportunity to buy a much better Shack and get it extended all at the same time? I always thought the stock OEM bilsteins were supposed to be pretty good but maybe I am wrong maybe they are just a very inexpensive shock that could be greatly improved upon

 

For the front, the diff drop is more to help with CV angles and to keep the rubber boots from rubbing. It's pretty uncommon for there to be any vibrations stemming from front driveshaft. Most vibrations are felt from the rear driveshaft being out of wack, or from the front needle bearing which is fixed with the ECGS bushing.

I've never heard of a shock extender, and I'm on here a lot. It's got to be some half ass solution.


If you want the bottom line, you bought a shitty lift. No sense in trying to band aid it together to make it into something great. On the other hand, if you run the lift and stay on the road, you'll be fine. When you start off roading is when you run into issues.