Finally Lifted!

Hey Everyone,

First off, I want to thank each and everyone of you who helped me in the process of getting my lift. I know I can be annoying with my questions but I just wanted things to workout as this is a big purchase for me.

Anyways, I lifted my taco today with the help of 2 awesome guys that were referred to me by a member here @crashngiggles. They are 2 ASE certified master techs and great guys who know their s#$t. They've done a few tacos on this forum I believe. I basically sat around and pulled up torque values and annoyed them while they cranked away. They did a great job and I highly recommend them to anyone in the New England area.

Anyways lift specs:
- 6112 set at 5/6 notches
- JBA UCAs
- ECGS Bushing
- 5160s
- Dakar Mediums 095R
- OME Carrier Bearing Drop Kit
- Alignment at Town Fair Tire with Caster set to around 3 degrees.

UPDATE:
Dealer measured my angles and decided I needed 3 degree shims to correct minor vibrations at 20-25mph. Seems not all need this, but might be good to buy just in case.

Prelift (from what I can remember):
FD: 21"
FP: 21.125"
RD: 22"
RP: 22.125"

Post-lift:
FD: 23.35"
FP: 23.5"
RD: 24"
RP: 24"

Now, a few questions concerns. First off, the front is a good 2.5" higher it seems. Is it normal to be higher at first and will settle down to 2"? I thought I read some people do get higher than expected with the 6112s. The Dakars appear to give the exact advertised 2" of lift.

As for the ride, its stiffer as expected but a good stiff. Handles great. Feels exactly like an off road truck should feel like IMO. The only concern I have, is I'm getting a slight "rumble strip" vibe at very low speeds... noticeable when decelerating and braking / coasting but not really while accelerating. Only from about 25-10mph. All other speeds and highway seem smooth and fine. NOW... disclaimer. I just recently put on new Duratrac 265/75r16s on and I'm trying to figure out if its the tires making the slight vibe at low speed because of the aggressive tread... or the lift. If it helps, I tried coasting around those speeds in neutral and it was still there. Its tough because I don't know if its just the tires and I didn't really notice it before, or the lift.

Either way, I'm psyched and appreciate everyone's help and what a great bunch of guys in the taco world!

P.S. Pics below... I had weight in the back so the rear is slightly sagged.

 

I had the same rumble after lifting mine, I put 3 degree shims under the leafs to get the propeller shaft/differential angle right again. Rumble was gone after that.

 

Did you also have the ECGS and CB drop though? Was is it really noticeable or hardly? I'm trying to figure out if its my tires or the lift.

 

I did do the ECGS, but didn't do the CB drop. Chances are it's the shaft angle based on your description of it happening on decel and braking because when doing those your torquing the axle which is changing the angle.

[edit]
Also, tire rumble is going to be more speed based and doesn't matter if accelerating, decelerating, or coasting.

 

Would putting it in neutral tell anything? I thought I read that if you shift to neutral and it still happens it might not be driveshaft related but not sure. Kind of sucks because I can't really do anything myself so I might need to take it back again. Hoping to not have to troubleshoot over and over again. With the CB drop, would I still want a 3 degree, or smaller? Also... and most importantly, is this the kind of thing you can ride on for a bit without killing anything? I don't know when the next time I can go see the guy.

 

Welcome to the rabbit hole.... and chasing vibes, Squeaks and clunks.

 

probably the best thing you could do is measure the angles, there are several threads around on how to do that, here is one I found doing a quick search:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/driveline-angles.547773/

 

Thanks guys. Seems some people live with minor vibes and stuff but my OCD can't handle lol. After all I'm only 2" higher so IDK.

 

I only lifted the rear of mine 1" and had the rumble vibration when braking, it seems to vary a lot truck to truck. You could try removing the CB drop and see what effect that has, also adding a shim is a pretty simple process also.

 

These are all just minor tweaks, correct? How long can one live with them? Wouldn't want to be doing any damage. Plus I can't get back up there for a couple weeks. And I still don't know if its just my tires. Wish there was a way to know.

 

You will be fine for a couple of weeks. Possible problems long term.... carrier bearing, u joints and pinion bearing.

 

So people who just live with it, or don't realize it eventually wear these parts out quicker?

 

Lol, they do. But a lifted truck is just to awesome to care.

 

Yeah man its SO minor I almost wanna say F it. Especially since a part of me thinks its tires. If I did want to order some shims, what would I get... 3 degree?

 

I went with the 3 degree shims as it seemed the most common fix. They worked like a champ for me. I went with these from @HeadStrong Off-Road:
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p119/Axle_Shims_-_(2_degree_to_4_degree).html

 

The rule is 1 degree for every inch of lift.

 

So I’d need a 2 degree I guess?

 

Its between 2 and 3. I would get 3 and go from there.

 

The issue is, I have no jacks or a lift. No time to troubleshoot really or measure angles and stuff with my job and daughter. So when I go back to them I need to bring a few solutions. Sounds like 3 degrees are the way to go.

 

Just order the 3 degree shims and whatever shop should be able to install them in minimal time. Easy possible fix and if it doesn’t work you’re only out minimal money and minimal time.