Tacos in St. Louis area

Thought that was tomorrow?

 

Just checked, you are right. They are coming down tomorrow.

 

Hey thanks for taking an interest in my situation.

My 2016 Tacoma TRD offroad needs some help.

I installed a lift kit on it recently.

The key is a 3” lift more or less. The resulting lift, left the front sitting a little bit higher than the rear and I like more of a raked look with the rear being just a little bit, maybe ½” higher than the front so keep that in mind.


The kit is a cheap one off ebay.

Coil over spacers in front, lift blocks in rear. no changes to shocks

The front differential was dropped some amount, I’m guessing ½” based upon the size of the spacers used on the skid plate to access the oil filter.


No changes to the carrier bearing or corrections to the rear differential angle.

1. So one objective, get the rear up by ½” aprox by maybe adding a combo wedge shim in rear that would kid of lift it a bit and at the same time maybe do some correcting of angles?
2. Or install an extra leaf or maybe overload leaf that would raise it a bit while at the same time giving me some insurance against spring fatigue?

So when it was first installed I tried to improve the angles by adding a ½” shim under the carrier bearing, That caused a slight vibration only when coming to a stop and braking. I removed it and it almost completely went away.


Keep in mind whatever driveline issues I may have today will change again for better or for worse if I lift it up in the rear by another ½”.


So I’m looking to raise the rear AND reestablish better or more correct driveline angles.
I dont have an issue replacing my 2 piece driveshaft with a custom 1 piece or whatever it takes to get it right.

The truck runs good down the road with no vibrations at all but its hard for me to believe its right.

See the sketch below for the measurements I took with an inclinometer.

Thanks, mike

 

Hey Mike. I'm a bit confused by all this if you can help clarify. Most who put on lift block/spacers are either on a serious budget or don't know any better. At the same time you're willing to put up the money for a custom drive shaft. That's were I'm confused. Your suspension is a very important part of your truck and spacers/block are not ideal at all and produce a rough ride. My 2 cents... start over. It will be better in the long run. For roughly $400 you can get a set of Bilstein 5100s or equivalent entry level shock and coilover setup. I feel the front is the most important. If you're trying to cut cost, do it in the rear. It's all different levels of better to choose from. Right now you're at the bottom so it only up from here. I'd say the 5100s and a 1" to 1.5" rear lift block would give you what you want but a big step up from where you're at. Next would be the 5100s (or equivalent) and a add a leaf in the rear. Then 5100s(or equivalent) with coil springs to get the lift and add a leaf in the rear. Next step and being the best route would be better shock/coilovers, front springs and replacing the rear leaf springs. I can't speak to the 3rd gen diff drop but 2nd gen it does more harm than good. Angle axle shims don't provide much/any lift. That's my advice, get rid of the front spacers. If you're set on keeping them then just put on an add a leaf to get the rake you want. Not to talk bad about your situation but you have a nice truck.... the suspension is a very important part of that nice truck. Take care of it right.

 

Anyone interested in tearing apart wheel bearings soon? I replaced the drivers side had a shop do the passenger side and now my brakes are messed up and I have new off sounds. My trucks my only vehicle so once I tear it apart I have no way of getting to the store.

 

It's the same on 3rd gens, they do more damage then good.

 

It’s getting faster, got a new one in from some friends in Australia. I’ll let you find it.

 

Shows how much time you spend in the shop mate. Have a few stubby holders too.

 

I have an extra Kings sticker I can throw on there. I don't see one

 

roger

@G.T. hella dig that decal, gotta make out to the shop next month. Army things ain’t my thing while it so nice out.

 

We can install our Kings on the same day

 

Wish I was a little closer to STL. I installed my TRD Pro kit on Friday and it took me 9 hours with no breaks! Not many guys wrenching on Tacomas in CoMo.

 

Yep it sucks. I also have never found a Tacoma at the junk yard. Can’t wait to get out of this place.

 

2 full Kings suspension upgrades in one day at the shop with all the jaw jacking we do, would be an accomplishment! Gonna definitely try and make it out next month!

 

I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I grew up in the sticks so CoMo is a lot of city for me, lol.

 

It might be possible now that we have access to the side garage. We can roll a tractor out and have two in at once.

 

I'll be busy next weekend and the weekend of the 22nd in June. But all other weekends are fair game for me

 

you arent too far from kc. i just wrenched on my thursday and friday installing a LT kit

 

I know the feeling living just outside a city myself now. As for come distance, you can still come out to a mod day. Mike drives all the way from fort leonard wood everytime.