3rd gen 5100's w/ AAL

The more I read the more I think I'll do one of the "multi leaf" add a leaf set ups where you remove the stock leafs except the main leaf and add two new ones to it. Seems a good balance of economical and long term improvement.

 

I'm at about ~21.5" in the front and ~23" in the back (approximate because perfectly level ground is hard to find around here).

Edit: This is with the Bilstein 5100s set at the third groove (1.1") and a single Deaver AAL in the rear.

 

Driving it around a bit, I have a barely perceivable rhythmic vibration(?). I don't think it was there before the lift, but I'm not 100% of that (its really slight). It was there before and after the alignment and feels like its coming from the front.

Something to worry about?

 

23 is about right for your aal. I looked at mine, it is at 23.5 with the empty tank

 

Probably the needle bearing. See if it is gone in 4H. Don't worry too much. You always can get a bushing.

 

This was my suspicion based on reading stuff on here. I was hoping to avoid dealing with it since the lift wasn't that high.

 

Yup. Needle bearing.

 

I'm going to put in 4HI on my way into work tomorrow and check... and likely stop at my shop and make an appointment since its on the way in.

 

That looks great. Please edit the post and provide details about the lift above or below that photo. Was it 1.1" via 5100's and an single AAL in the rear?

 

Sorry I just saw your question. My tires are 265/70r17. Check the thread in my signature for details and even part numbers about anything related to my truck. If your using a smart phone, turn it sideways to see sigs... I just learned this myself. I do love my desktop though.

 

Yup. Its the needle bearing. Vibration is gone in 4H.

Unfortunately, I stopped by my normal auto shop and they looked at me as if I was from another planet when I explained replacing the needle bearing. Now I need to find somewhere else to have it done.

 

I wouldn’t skimp on that. Either do it yourself and watch YouTube or take it to the dealer and pay to have it done right and warrantied.

 

Don't worry to much about it. Keep driving. It is not gonna grenade on you. I have installed the bushing 1 year after the lift.

 

Depending on your mechanical experience, it isn't too complicated. Watch some YT, watch some more YT, get the list of tools you need, go to parts store of your choice and get their loaners and plan on a ½-1 day. Heck, find your state/area's thread and ask there. Chances are someone near you has done it and would be more than happy to help in exchange for couple beers.

 

Sorry to read this... I've read this too many times. Your not alone on this. I'm surprised that it happened with only a 1.1" lift..... honestly, it looks higher than the 3rd clip but the stock tires size makes the fender gap larger.

I agree with others about finding someone that has done it before. There's a LOT of mechanically inclined folks out there that have done it in thier garage that I would trust verses someone that doesn't have a clue about what's going on with it and won't do the research to figure it out.... (nothing against them).

 

Plus those doing it themselves, might be new to it but they've got a vested interest in it being done properly.

 

No worries. Yeah I knew it was a possibility going into it and I rolled the dice on not replacing the needle bearing with a bushing when I had the strut partially disassembled. Part of the calculation was that I was only doing 1.1" lift, which I thought would lower my chances of this happening.

I'm definitely not taking it to that shop considering that the manager didn't know what the needle bearing was. I probably should have just talked to one of the floor mechanics who has a lift 2nd gen that was parked outside.

I'd prefer to do it myself or with help, but my schedule in the next couple months is a bit insane. I'll see what I can manage.

 

Honestly, I originally considered only doing a 1.1" lift for the same reason. I thought you'd get by without the bearing trouble. Didn't you install the lift yourself? If you did that, you can do the bushing. There's plenty of vids and threads on this. I'd start rounding up the parts to do it in the near future and not wait until the problem becomes more server. Tools can be found in the classifieds.

 

Yep I did the lift myself with a friend. He's a complete novice with Tacomas, but was super helpful and I definitely couldn't have done it without his help. We also used his garage because I don't have one. I've done suspension work and lifts on Ford Rangers, but that was over a decade ago. It was pretty straight forward though and we just went slow. I definitely don't regret the lift. The truck rides great with the 5100s.

I've started scoping out videos of people doing it to see if I'm up for it... I may be still sore from Wednesday when we did the lift.

 

Anyone level their truck with the stock wheels and tires? I wanna see how it looks. Eventually I’ll get 285/70/17 but I want to level it right now.