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Selecting a mild lift (TRD Baja TX Pro + Icon AAL)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by crashnburn80, Aug 3, 2015.

  1. Mar 7, 2019 at 12:38 PM
    #321
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I shared this info with you but I'll share it here for others as well:

    I did the same thing with the offset spacers, though I did not originally have the overload in the back and only added it in once I did the front spacers. My measurements on the driver side (still has minor lean) is 22.5 front and 23.25 rear. Passenger side is a bit higher.

    Some things to know/consider:
    -To use a 1/2" spacer, you will need to swap out the studs on the top of the strut assembly for longer ones, which then requires taking the strut assembly apart and dealing with all that. 1/4" spacers do not require this. Many kits come with the longer studs:
    https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p30/HS_1/2"_Top_Plate_Spacers_-_TT05512-TPS.html
    -Using top plate spacers pushes the entire shock assembly down, meaning to compensate you should also raise the bump stops so you don't top out. My Baja kit uses low profile bump stops as it is designed for extended compression travel, so I was going to put the stock ones back and shim the driver side one with some washers to account for the larger spacer.
    -I run low profile Rokblokz flaps and even with setting my SCP UCA one setting forward, my 255/75/R17 tires still rub under my low profile flaps heavy articulation that the 265/70R17s never touched. If I run flawless the problem is solved for me. Though I'm going to set it a 2nd setting forward. My tires are effectively 'real' 32s at 32x10, or 1.5" over stock and 10mm narrower. 33s are likely going to pose a rubbing issue even with the flaps removed. You might be able to adjust forward out of it, but to much and you need to trim the front (which is easier than CMC).
    -Overall I like it, though I would prefer to do it without spacers obviously. Going that extra bit of height with the UCAs does make the steering feel ever so slightly less dialed in. Moving the SPC setting forward reduces caster, and caster is what gives your steering the weighted return to center feeling. So the more caster is reduced, the less focused the center of steering feels. Trade offs for driving a lifted truck, many would likely not notice but I have a night attention to detail in vehicles.

    I've asked myself that same question. I've toyed with the idea of getting a winch, but want to keep the front as light as possible. There are some products that I could get that down to about 100lbs with the winch, but I still haven't decided. The outcome would affect deciding to go with a heavier spring or not. But for shocks I like the idea to tune it myself once it is on the truck which makes the Fox 2.5 Adjustable DSC appealing to me. I considered them before going down the Baja route, but they are pricey and I figured the Baja setup would get me 85% there for a fraction of the cost.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/all-pro-offroad-new-fox-dsc-shocks-coilovers.338458/
     
  2. Mar 7, 2019 at 12:39 PM
    #322
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Most Toyota parts come with something like a 1 year basic parts warranty, I don't know that it comes with anything more than that. I wouldn't expect it to unless Toyota installed it maybe.
     
    Gerard6778[QUOTED] likes this.
  3. Mar 8, 2019 at 4:25 AM
    #323
    Gerard6778

    Gerard6778 Well-Known Member

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    You mentioned in a previous post that with your original lift (before adding 1/2" spacer to driver side and 1/4" to passenger side) you had driver side lean, although the TRD Baja suspension driver shock sets the spring slightly higher. I have a 2015 DCSB 4x4, no additional weight, would a 1/4" spacer on driver side when lift is installed be a good idea?
     
  4. Mar 8, 2019 at 6:58 AM
    #324
    Gerard6778

    Gerard6778 Well-Known Member

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    Another question, what are the differences between the TRD Baja suspension and the Bilstein 6112/5160? I know the 6112 has 5 settings for springs which is an advantage over the Baja. The 6112 has better corrosion resistance too. Does the 6112/5160 offer additional travel like the Baja suspension?
     
  5. Mar 8, 2019 at 3:11 PM
    #325
    Jnewbern

    Jnewbern Active Member

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    I just got done swapping out springs on mine. I have the baja shocks. On an access 2.7 4x4 they were to much. With close to 200lbs up front with bumper and winch. I was still a little over 2" of lift. The ball joint is what stops down travel so you're only gaining up travel (with the shorter bump stop)
     
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  6. Mar 8, 2019 at 4:52 PM
    #326
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    When I first did the lift, the lean was very minimal and hardly noticeable, and it has slowly grown worse over time. Worse case with adding the spacer upfront is your get a little reverse lean. With the 1/4" top plate spacer, you can always insert it later, you don't need to fully remove the strut from the truck, and you don't need to take it apart for longer studs like you do for a larger spacer. So it is minimal effort to add at a later time, the only thing you would be out is an alignment to dial it in afterward, though I bet many would say it is good enough without. But I like to be a perfectionist.

    The TRD units have integrated offset in the springs to account for lean which is better than a spacer, as it does not affect your compression travel like a top plate spacer does. The TRD units have slightly different valving as they were tuned by TRD instead of Bilstein. The TRD units come with shorter front bump stops for increased compression travel and they come with a brake line drop kit for the rear hard lines to give them a bit more droop. Depending on the rear 5160s, the TRD units mount the reservoirs to the frame, whereas the aftermarket ones mount to the main shock bodies.
     
    Gerard6778[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 8, 2019 at 7:58 PM
    #327
    nuvoturbo

    nuvoturbo Well-Known Member

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    crashburn80, when you did your aal on the rear springs, did you add spacers to the carrier bearing or shims to the springs? I have read numerous posts regarding drive line vibration due to exceeding a 3 degree angle on the drive shaft, but not found whether it is necessary for the Baja.
     
  8. Mar 8, 2019 at 9:17 PM
    #328
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I did not use additional shims or spacers. I left in the OEM leaf shims when I did the AAL + overload and don’t have vibes. Note that the OEM Baja lift does not lift the rear at all, so strictly speaking you’d never need it with the Baja or Pro. But I added the 1.5” AAL + overload for 2” rear lift with my Baja lift, though I still did not get vibes.
     
  9. Mar 8, 2019 at 9:51 PM
    #329
    nuvoturbo

    nuvoturbo Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, I figured you didn't use either since you didn't mention them in the original post but I wanted to be sure. I won't use them either. If vibration occurs I can easily add one or both later.
     
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  10. Mar 9, 2019 at 6:19 AM
    #330
    Gerard6778

    Gerard6778 Well-Known Member

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    Is this because the TRD units have more travel? Are they longer than the stock 6112s? If they aren’t longer couldn’t the shorter front bump stops be used with stock 6112s?
     
  11. Mar 9, 2019 at 7:13 AM
    #331
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    They are based on the same shock bodies, so you should be able to add the shorter bump stops to the 6112s. However, because the 6112s use top plates for lean vs offset spring perch like TRD, you’d only want to add the shorter bump stop to the passenger side. Adding a top plate moves the entire shock assembly down, meaning they will bottom out sooner than one without a top plate, so you’d want to have the bump stop higher on the side with a top plate.
     
  12. Mar 9, 2019 at 7:56 AM
    #332
    Gerard6778

    Gerard6778 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for your help and all the information.
     
  13. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:02 PM
    #333
    aboftofbeam

    aboftofbeam Well-Known Member

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    S/C, UCON, 2.8 pulley, bedrug, Crashnburn's ultimate headlight/tailight upgrade, Moroso oil-catch can, soundproofing, speaker and H/U replacements, bed stiffeners, SHMELLFAB Sliders, ICON AAL.
    Amazing write-up and thread. I am in a 2012 DBCB OR, now baja :). I have the 2+1 spring pack and keep a snugtop cap on. I installed the icon AAL and left the overload leaf in. After looking things over, I am not sure if I have a problem or not. I scanned through a few threads and haven't seen this with anyone. The rivet on the AAL spring clamp is riding on the overload instead of coming together leaf to leaf. Everything feels great and the ride is amazingly better.

    Thoughts from the group?

    IMG_4925.jpg
     

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  14. Mar 21, 2019 at 5:04 PM
    #334
    09TRDSport4x4

    09TRDSport4x4 OCD Approved!

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    When I installed an ICON three leaf progressive AAL I cut that part off on mine. I’ll see if I can find a picture for you.
     
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  15. Mar 21, 2019 at 7:22 PM
    #335
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    You're certain you installed the AAL the correct side forward? I believe Installing it backward will cause this problem. I also seem to recall this was an issue for some and there was 2 different version of the 3 leaf AAL that had the retainer brackets at different locations. If installed properly, I think what you wanted to do here was to cut the AAL bracket off and leave the overload bracket on. Measure the AAL retainer bracket placement front he center of the axle and see by measuring if flipping the AAL direction would resolve the issue.
     
  16. Mar 21, 2019 at 8:06 PM
    #336
    09TRDSport4x4

    09TRDSport4x4 OCD Approved!

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    That’s what I did on my recall rear leaf springs to keep the overload leaf. I had to cut one bracket and use the other one. I just crawled under the truck and it looks like the top part of the factory overload bracket was cut off (leaving the sides in place). This obviously means I won’t be able to go back to stock without replacing that bracket (not that I ever would anyway).

    And I ended up with close to 2.5” of lift from my setup because I got an extra half inch out of the recall leaf springs over the original ones they replaced and then leaving the overload leaf in gave me another half inch over the 1.5” lift provided by the AAL. No problems in the two plus years it’s been on, even with a loaded bed.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2019
  17. Mar 21, 2019 at 8:07 PM
    #337
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

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    2016 Sport suspension 1/2 spacer up front and aal in rear SCS Stealth 6 17 inch wheels Wildpeak AT3 265 70 17
    Do you have an opinion on 2nd gens with 3rd gen suspension?
     
  18. Mar 21, 2019 at 8:16 PM
    #338
    09TRDSport4x4

    09TRDSport4x4 OCD Approved!

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    Also, after crawling under my truck, I’m extremely jealous of how clean the underside of your truck is @aboftofbeam. Living in the salt belt does a number on the underbody...
     
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  19. Mar 21, 2019 at 8:59 PM
    #339
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    What are you looking at specifically? Full 3rd Gen suspension or just the rear leafs?
     
  20. Mar 22, 2019 at 3:22 AM
    #340
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

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    2016 Sport suspension 1/2 spacer up front and aal in rear SCS Stealth 6 17 inch wheels Wildpeak AT3 265 70 17
    I already have a full sport suspension on with a 1/4 spacer upfront and aal in the rear. I just wanted to hear your opinion.
     

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