2023 MGM TRD Off Road (mildly modded)

I’ll try to take some detailed pics this weekend. We just got dumped on with 12+ this week so the conditions for pics hasn’t been the best.

 

What is your experience with this brake controller? I've got it in cart but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I really like just having the control adjustment in the dash vs having the entire box mounted under the dash. Truck looks great!

 

Nice job OP

 

Thanks for the info. Since I have stock exhaust and want to keep the quiet exhaust, I'll likely try the $4 pipe insulation first.

 

Brake controller is fantastic. I've only hooked up to camper one time but I can tell it's going to be great.

 

Lift has began:
I made a ECGS bushing insertion tool today. I got truck supported on Quick Jack's with some homemade riser blocks. I got the driver side axle pulled to expose the bearing and waiting for the ECGS puller on Monday. I went ahead and installed the driver 5100 on the 4th clip. I intend to do the passenger side 5100 strut along with the rears and progressive AAL's tomorrow. So far so good. I used the trucks weight and floor jack to decompress and re-compress the coil..... WOW, felt like cheating compared to the spring compressor I've used for years.

 

I swapped the passenger front shock in about an hour this morning. I've done this a few times on my 1st gen and its pretty simple now with Quick Jack's and a floor jack. The only bolts I removed was LBJ's, sway bar end link, lower shock bolt and top shock nut..... that's it. (3) top hat nuts stayed in place. I also loosened the lower control arm pivot bolts so it would swing easily(marked them). Passenger side back together and torqued to spec. Moving on to rear.

 

Headstrong progressive AAL's and rear 5100's going on this afternoon. I filed a radius on the end edges of the leaves that were metal to metal and brushed grease between those leaves. I also took (2) 10mm bolts and turned the heads down to .590" more precise fit with the .625" dia holes on the axle. The OEM spring bolt heads measure .570" and the Headstrong bolt heads were .550".




The original U-bolts worked great with plenty of threads left since I removed the overload. I have zero concerns about reusing these(especially the truck only has 500 miles).



Here's the weight difference between the Headstrong AAL and overload. I'm conscious of weight and really like the minimal difference in weight.

 

Let me know how your bushing puller works. The one I got from ecgs had barely enough threads to insert the tool behind the needle bearing. It wouldn’t kill them to add 1/2” to the threaded rod. Unless mine was just cut short.

 

Sorry to hear that. The one I have coming Monday is a fellow TW'er and it has been used before so it should be GTG. I'll likely post a little about my experience.

 

hopefully yours is longer. Mine worked but it was literally on by a thread when it started pulling

 

OEM bearing pulled out slicker than snot. The nut was a little tricky getting it into position but not too bad.

I used a ratchet and multiple extensions to remove OEM bearing.


I've had the ECGS bushing in freezer since this morning and I'm glad I did. It was still pretty snug and I'm VERY glad I made this insertion tool. I ended up using a 1-1/4" socket over the end of the tool with an extension to make it easier to strike with a hammer.

 

Took a test drive and I'm very happy with the ride. Not too harsh at all so far. Glad I didn't do the 2" notch in front because it sits a little more level than expected. Apparently I didn't get a full 1.5" in the rear. I will say that's it's nice to have a little arch to the leaf springs. 5100's at 4th notch and no Taco lean spacer. Tires are 31.6" dia. Weight in bed is OEM bed mat, Lomax bed cover and a tool bag that weighs 35lbs.... so about 120 lbs total.

1/3 tank of gas:
LF is 36-7/8"
RF is 37"
LR is 38-1/8"
RR is 38-1/8"

 

It’s looking good Ryan!

 

Thanks.
Have some 75w90 on hand when you do yours. I wish I took a pic of my fluid with only 529 miles on it.... I'm motivated to change both front and rear when I do my first oil change at 5k.

 

I’ve changed my diff and transfer case out twice already. It’s time to do it again though.

 

I purchased these super nice tools from Motivx to make Oil changes a more enjoyable experience. I'm new to the cannister oil filters bit like the idea of being able to drain the filter before removing it.

 

I decided to spend some Birthday money on black lugnuts. Shout out to South Toyota KY for the deal via Ebay for $72 delivered. I used a black Sharpie to blacked the bare Aluminum counter bores. Black lugnuts is one of those things I always wanted to do on my 2000 but still haven't.

Before (chrome lugnuts):


After (black lugnuts):

 

I sold my OEM TRD Off Road wheels and tires for $1000.

I ended up adding some running boards that are a little more functional. These are called "W Drop Step" OEM but not as common. I didn't want to full Predator steps due to how low they hang. When I discovered these were all Aluminum and didn't hang down lower than the frame I was sold. I found these on FB that someone just pulled off their 2023. These only weigh 17 lbs each.

Only negative I've found is they interfere with the OEM mud guards.

I had to cut hole in the mud guards or cut the front ends off by about 3/4". I chose to modify the mud guards because they are so easy to come across.





But all is well now.



The mild lift and upside in tire made more of a difference getting in and out of truck. Im 5'7 and wife is 5'5". These will hopefully be the ticket. The step height on the previous ones were 2.5" higher that these and was awkward to use.

 

Truck looks great!
How is the AAL riding compared to stock? I'm looking for a similar lift, and you're carrying about the same consistent weight as me (bed mat and tonneau).