What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Caught a cool sunset

 

Who's running a 1 inch body lift? And how do you like it.

I'm on the fence. I have the kit (Have had it for 4 or 5 months) but I just not sure if I want to do it or not.

I'm looking to move up to 35s. 1 inch body lift would certainly make the clearancing neccessary at lot less messy. It would give me a bit more room if I decide I want to move my rear shocks further up (without cutting in to the bed). I'm ok with the additional 1 inch gap between bumpers/sliders/body.

I'm aware of the issues with the BL spacers at the bed mounts and would plan on fabricating my own that be the size of the actual mount instead of the small blocks they provide. (I actually already have that metal too lol)

Someone talk me in to, or out of, installing this thing

 

I've always been kind of paranoid that the same kind of thing would happen to the body mounts under the cab where they would punch through with a body lift. So I personally wouldn't run one

 

The body mounts on the cab are a lot more stout, at least they appear to be, than the bed mounts.

The issue with the bed mounts with the body lift is the blocks are so much smaller than the 2 surfaces (frame mount and bed mount surface).

That being said, I understand what you're saying. I'd be more worried with a 3 inch body lift though.

 

I'm pretty sure we discussed this a month or two ago. I have not had any issues with the cab mounts only the bed. That extra inch has been helpful in more than a few ways. Upper rear shock mounts, intercooler, fitting tires, dropping the gas tank. May not even have to tub for 35s if you have an adjustable UCA. Or get some solo LCAs.

 

With the amount of weight you have on the bed. I would really want to beef up that area if you're doing it.

Know plenty of people running on though. Personally I wouldn't. But certainly no a huge issue for those that have them.

 

Big tires on stockers crew checking in.

IMG_5582 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

They do great. And I have been on the same tires since 2016 so I am doing something right or I never drive the truck... oh wait.

What I did recently was get my one seat recovered and heater elements installed:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Wired some shit.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

And got it together enough to go riding.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

Ya, we did talk about it. LOL

I'm still on the fence though

The possibility of not having to tub is probably the MOST compelling part of the decision. I've done A LOT to the truck, and done it all myself. And I'm just not looking forward to tubbing, but I do "need" to move up to 35s for some of the stuff I plan on doing this year, and going forward. (I do have adj UCAs and will probably be getting some Solo LCAs soon)

 

Weight IS a big reason why I'm still on the fence. I would make the bed blocks the full dimension of the mounting surfaces. Like make the spacer blocks from 3x3 by 1 inch pads, and also possibly clad the outside of the bed mounts, to reinforce ( I probably need to do that regardless, to be honest)

I've run body lifts on other trucks, but they have always been full size. Hell, 3 inches of the 9 inch lift on my wife's Silverado are from body lift, with no problem. I've just never done the sort of stuff I do in the Toyota in those full size trucks with body lifts lol.

 

Oh is this a thing?

 

Should be no problem with solos. @Squeaky Penguin is clearing the firewall with wide 35s with solos and no body lift. He did have to cut some of the top fender out. May not need to with the BL.

Sometimes I regret not stepping up to 35s but I'm already getting 200miles to a tank and I'd be in boost cruising with 35s making it even worse.

 

Are you running spacers to fit thoes wheels?

 

You guys don't give me to much grief I actually let 'ole Betsy' rest an went an got title an tags to another vehicle I couldn't pass on that I found. She still got her usual look of affection from me though and still knows she is #1!!

 

As much as I was dreading tubbing for 35’s, I can honestly say it wasn’t that bad. The hardest part for me was dialing in the welder to get a good weld on he thin sheet metal. After that, it flowed pretty good. Plus all the tips and pointers from everyone here was amazing.

 

Well since you have plenty of experience you can
Do mine.

 

yes i am, 1.5in all the way around. I think they would fit without spacers on 265/70r17s, but 285/70r17s rubs the spindle without spacers

 

Did you have to swap studs as well?

 

idk how people do it solo though, with two people you can have one on fire duty while the other welds

 

I’ve always had a soft spot for 5 spoke rims dating back to my VW/Audi Days. Had some on my old GTI and got em now! Although I do love me a multispoke rim as well

 

So I’ve been lazy with suspension maintenance for a long time now. All of my poly bushings are probably seized and they all make noise.

so I guess before I get new tires I’m going to do a whole refresh.

Is there anything new in the bushing market? I could have sworn I’ve seen a UCA Bushing kit where the washers had grease channels so you didn’t have to loosen the uca bolts go grease them. That’s my biggest issue with these things. That PTFE grease just turns to a liquid and melts right out and it’s a huge inconvenience to have to do the whole routine to keep them fresh.

also, I know for a fact that at least one of my LCA bushings is seized. Anyone have any experience with RockAuto LCAs? I’d replace the bushings but I don’t think I have the time to do the whole LCA busing procedure plus shock rebuild and UCA bushings in a day.