Going back to stock...Losing 6" DB kit. Yes, it CAN be done!

As some of you may know, Im getting rid of the POS TM 6" drop bracket lift on my gen 1 (03 Pre Runner 2wd) 9 out of 10 people have told me "It cant be done" Well, it can. Work started yesterday:
Parts:

The crossmember will be cut/trimmed here @ factory seam:

The truck will be trimmed/prepped same spot:

These are were measurements are taken w/tram gauge.

More to come
Thursday 4/21/2010:
The "fun" has begun:
Prep/clean frame

Kit is gone

POS TM struts BLOWN/leaking:




as it was, and never will be again

Its going quite well....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/Guyster/crash2_10_2010027
.jpg


$hit Kit:

Man, I "hope" its straight! lol
3:00pm same day. Going back together....

 

Is your King shock bent? It looks bent in a few pictures...

 

I was always under the impression that Prerunner's don't require the cutting of the xmember thus allowing you to be able to go back to stock?

 

No, the top bracket is seperate, and swivels. There is a thru bolt you cant see in pics. Basically that shock will work on many trucks. You just have to get the correct top bracket for your apllication. Not bent

 

Got it.

 

Yes, this true if Fabtech kit is used, but this was the POS Trailmaster kit. It requires cutting #2 crossmember on both 2wd & 4wd. The TM kit also eliminates UCA's adding a 2nd strut(!) in its place. Its a TERRIBLE lift kit.
Im working on the rear today. Losing the 2.5" blocks, but keeping the AAL's. Hoping the Bilsteins will work OK too. My 315's are getting swapped for 285's today as well

 

sweet. Definitely a lot of work for the previous owner's mistake.

 

Just like I told you. Trail Disaster not Master.

 

Nice man, your gonna be so much happier. those TM kits are terrifying. what a horrible design.

what are your future plans? mid travel kit all around?

 

OK, Im done!! Truck is at alignment now. I'll have it back to me Sat AM. Will get pics then.

 

Good job. I never liked the 6" lifts on the 1st gens. The AAL shold work good with 5100s. Thats what i have and it sitts level.

 

Damn that is one weird ass suspension design, it looks so half-ass. Trailmaster must've hired all the grade D engineers, lol.

 

Just back from alignment. Heres a complete pic. Same wheels, no spacers, 285's instead of 35's. Best off, no more DB kit



Hytenor: Align specs before

Align specs after:

 

Finally, another DB hater Nice work man!1

 

Great to know i have another option with this lift. Wonder if anyone has gone from a trailmaster to a fabtech or similar DB lift...

 

Yeah, I love shit like that. People seem to forget that metal can be both cut and welded. Or that fabricators can be paid to produce items, such as crossmembers, to custom specifications.

"Can't be done" on here means "isn't bolt-on".


Nice work.

 

Good job!!

That looked like it required a lot of head scratching!

 

Ever cross your mind to SAS while you already had all that crap cut out?

 

Yikes what a big job!!!