Vibration help

My situation:
I have a 2008 double cab tacoma 4.0 V6. Went from complete stock with no problems to a 3" lift. Fox 2.5 coilovers, Fox 2.0 rear shocks with res., Dakar medium duty leaf pack, SPC UCAS. I LOVE this lift. It rides like night and day. I got about 3" exactly in the rear and 2.5" in the front of lift.

Immediately after this lift I took it to get an alignment to firestone because they were the only ones not booked up. On the way to firestone i had relatively small vibrations starting at 10mph, dying down then again and 20mph to about 30 ish mph. No vibrations at highway speeds. After alignment it still vibrated the same. Installed CB drop spacer that was 1/4". Still same vibrations. Took it back to firestone because they did a shitty alignment job and it was pulling to the right. Alignment got better after second time, Still vibrations.

Took it to another shop to double check everything. They said everything looked good and they believe i am getting vibrations because of my tires. They said since I lifted it, everything is stretched out and I can feel imperfections in my tires more. To be honest I have had the vehicle a year and rotated the tires maybe once or twice. Less than I should. I have put 20K miles on it.

Is the tire theory an accurate assumption that could cause vibration? I asked my friend who works as the lead mechanic at a dealership if this is true and he said it could be. Everyone I have talked to also states that I should not be getting any vibrations with only a 3" lift. Any help would be nice. Thanks guys.

 

Does the vibration go away when you shift into 4WD?

 

an out of aligned truck will not cause a vibe, drive line and tires will. a drive line vibe usually comes in at lower speeds like a bad u joint for instants, and will have a higher pitch because the rotation is faster that wheel speed, how bad is the vibe? does it shake the steering wheel? or in the seat?

 

Negative. I tried that actually and it is the same in 4wd.

 

This happened after you installed the lift?

 

Vibration does not shake the steering wheel or the seat at all. When i accelerate, it vibrates at those speeds. about 10mph, slightly goes away, then from about 15-20 is the worst going away again and about 30 disappearing pretty much. Same when I slow down getting worse the slower i get. It's not a BAD vibration, but you can definitely notice it.

 

What size tires are you running and what gears are you using?

 

Yes. After installation. However I had a shop check over everything and they said it looked good. Should I get another opinion?

 

I have stock 265/70/R16 All terrain tires that came on the vehicle bought at 74K a year ago. Stock gears/Auto trans

 

it may be from the front drive axles at higher angle and you are noticing it more. being that it's on accel suggest it's drive line, assuming it goes away if you let off the accel?

 

Does not go away upon letting off the accelerator. In fact when i gun it, there is less vibration. The slower i accelerate the more i feel the vibration. giving it gas at those speeds or just rolling at those speeds, it still vibrates.

 

I get a mild vibration upon slow acceleration, might just be normal. Maybe take it to another shop to get a second opinion

 

i would suggest it

 

Yeah maybe I will do that because this is definitely not normal and didn't happen before. It was also suggested to switch tires with someone to see if that makes it go away before i buy new ones.

 

what degree are your universal joints operating at now that you have a lift ?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vibration-diagnostics-for-all-tacomas-write-up.520607/

 

^^^this is probably the answer to your vibes. No vibes before lift, vibrations after lift due to changing angles.

 

I dont understand why the guys who manufacture the lift kit cant add a couple shims in the kit and a cheap angle finder .
I am sure it would help with all the negative reviews they get .
There is a nice write up starting at post # 27 showing you how to measure .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/just-fixed-driveline-vibration-for-free.153050/page-2

 

That’s a great idea!
Solve your after lift driveline vibration kit.

 

Anything over 2 inch's in lift,and have fun with vibes forever.

 

That's what people say about 3" too so not really sure I agree. I believe this is actually a common problem I just need to pinpoint it.