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A thief ruined my night

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Brucio, May 17, 2019.

  1. May 17, 2019 at 1:36 PM
    #1
    Brucio

    Brucio [OP] Member

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    The other night I was driving home when I discovered that some needy citizen decided he needed my wheels more than I did. I didn’t notice until I was slowing for a speed hump and the back end suddenly went all wonky. I thought it was a flat and started to pull over, when BAM- the driver’s side rear brake drum hit the pavement, and my rear tire passed me by. I guess the thief didn’t know how to deal with the wheel lock, and decided just to leave things as they were. So there I was at the side of the road with the rear of my truck on the ground. It was a pain in the moment, but I managed to get home after an hour of moving lug nuts around.
    So now I’m in for some body work (stock flares seem impossible to find!) I’m thinking about giving it some lift while it’s down, and I bought this lift kit cheap from a guy on Craigslist. Since it didn’t come with any instructions, my question is what should I take into account to add this (2”) to my truck? I need to buy shocks anyway, since the one on the rear driver’s side is leaking. Do I need longer ones, and if so, how do I figure out which ones? Any tips or information in general about this are greatly appreciated.
     

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  2. May 17, 2019 at 1:37 PM
    #2
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    Ed
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    King + Archive Relocation Wheeler's bumps +hydros
    if you're going to replace shocks anyways then why not lift up the front without using levelers/spacers?
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  3. May 17, 2019 at 1:46 PM
    #3
    Brucio

    Brucio [OP] Member

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    I was just going to replace the rear shocks, but I'm intrigued. What shocks would work for this on my '97, and is that a better solution than the levelers?
     
  4. May 17, 2019 at 1:59 PM
    #4
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    King + Archive Relocation Wheeler's bumps +hydros
    I think they would be a better solution than the spacers you have. Levelers and spacers are not exactly well known for their ride characteristics. Mostly just looks. Whereas Bilstein 5100s provide lift as well as performance.

    Some say spacers are fine if you don't have the funds and can reuse your stock shocks. However, given your current situation in which you would be stuck purchasing new ones anyways, I'd recommend purchasing 5100s for the front and 5125s for the rear. They have a really good reputation and following on Tacomaworld as well as having a good warranty (although sometimes there can be headaches). 1" lift on stock shocks is about the max that is tolerable (still iffy) without putting the shocks at risk for an early demise. The rear 5125s are designed for lifts up to 3" so no worries about ruining your shocks too soon.

    however, it does tend to add up. That's the downside.

    rears fronts
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bilstein-5...28/183557961508?epid=229831471&frcectupt=true

    edit: forgot about the levelers lol If you're on a budget I'd say keep the rear blocks to save yourself $70 bucks or so from having to buy an Add-A-Leaf. The stock springs with a block won't be ideal but the 5125s should help the ride a bit. Then when you get more funds saved up you can add a leaf later as you already have the extended shocks to accomodate for the lift.
     
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  5. May 18, 2019 at 9:17 AM
    #5
    970btu

    970btu Well-Known Member

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    Las Vegas
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    99 Tacoma 3.4 5spd ext limited TRD 55K and counting
    OME, SPC UCA, ARB w/warn 10K winch, TG Rock Defense Rear, Marlin Clutch, Custom hi clearance under bed spare mount. 285/75/16. A ton of repairs done and a list up to come modifications.
    The drivers side wheel is the one most likely to loosten on it's own do to rotation. Some of the 70' model Fords use to use reverse thread lugs on the drivers rear to prevent that. I have had that wheel pass me before, a fun time it was. Ever since then I always check those lugs more often.

    Recently after mudding and spinning doughnuts I rechecked and my Tacoma had loose drivers rear lugs. Torqued them back and good to go. Saved me so I did not lose another.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2019
    Brucio[OP] and Hamer95USA like this.
  6. May 26, 2019 at 6:22 AM
    #6
    Brucio

    Brucio [OP] Member

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    whatstcp[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. May 26, 2019 at 6:27 AM
    #7
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    King + Archive Relocation Wheeler's bumps +hydros
    Ah not familiar with 1st gens but that is interesting. Apologies did not mean to mislead you
     
  8. May 26, 2019 at 4:40 PM
    #8
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    This is strange, last week I dreamt my truck was up on blocks w/ no wheels. And front differential. Lol... wtf is wrong with people? Geeeezus
     

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