Lost power after lift

Yeah, I know its sounds odd but I swear I lost some HP to the rear wheels after I did a suspension lift.

What I have:

• 2006 Tacoma TRD dbl cab long bed, all stock, 52K miles, well maintained

Here's what I did:

• Bilstein 5100 Shocks on front set to 1.75"
• Bilstein shocks on rear
• Firestone Riderite airbags set to 5lb (minimum air setting)
• Toyo AAL 1.5 rear leaf to existing crappy 3 leaf pack
• Toyo shims on axle, added longer U-bolts, and carrier drop spacer

After the original shock / leaf / airbag installation I was surprised how high the rear end went. I was even more surprised how many vibes i had in the truck between 15-45. Thats when I added the shims, Ubolts and Carrier spacer. It feels pretty close to normal now. Whats not normal is the gas pedal to rear wheel HP...I suspected it may be a tad sluggish but tried to deny it as being anal.

Well, after towing boat for first time the sluggish part has been validated. Suspension handled rock solid. Felt amazing pulling a 5200lb load. Unfortunately getting to 60mph was a marked disapointment.

OK all you pro modders....Any idea how I can fix this? Has anybody else experienced a marked loss of HP after a lift? I hear people say the rear suspension will settle over time....wonder if that settleing will reduce the driveshaft angle and give me my HP back?

 

did you change tires? or you think your feelin a hp loss from the lifted windplow effect?

 

This...if you did go to larger tires, it has the same effect as gearing your transmission up...

Also, you're higher from the ground now...things are going to appear to move slower...what does the speedo/stopwatch say?

 

I have the original tires size on vehicle. I am aware of the "windplow" effect, and at first thats what i thought the feeling of reduced speed was. While towing it was completely obvious the taco wasn't performing like before. Coming to speed and crossing bridges were relatively easy before but were extrememly sluggish now. Havent used a stopwatch. Is there a technique for measuring HP with time?

 

Mine is lifted apx the same amount.
While I have not towed anything I have not noticed any power loss.
Mileage is real good as well 19 on the low end and 22 on the high end.
I expected some loss of mileage with the lift but so far I have not seen any change.

 

Jandrews...off topic

Im from fayetteville. How glad r u 2 c delhome move on? Foxxys on the hot seat this year...hope he pulls it together and manages 2 get the ball into S.Smiths hands. Its hard 2 watch a player with such explosive ptoential just stagnating on the o-line.

 

well i dont think the lift made that big of a difference. perhaps your due for a tune-up at the same time you installed the lift. sorry i cant be of more help.

 

wtf....

 

lol uh...check your PM.

 

Im going to try removing the toyo aal 1.5 rear leaf spring and see if that fixes 1) the huge gap of air between the tire and wheel well and 2) give me my HP back. Im gonna leave the shocks/ and airbags and everything else on.

 

Weird. I added my rear suspension and didn't notice squat. The heavy steel bumper and skid plate I noticed. I also noticed the larger tires, but not the lift.