What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Archive Garage Hammer Hangers and 3.6" fabbed shackles installed this weekend and they're absolutely as awesome as every other review of them says they are. Stock, the rear end deflection allows every bump to feel amplified but somehow the suspension has an overall flat feel. All that is corrected now, and the back end is much more composed, more controlled and a lot more alive. Almost feels like IRS now. Just awesome.



Longerer post here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drizzohs-21-off-road-build.748190/page-11#post-28654651

 

Looks great, really like the ride height too. Stance seems perfect. Which Bilsteins did you use (5100? Front and back?) and how does it ride overall compared to stock now? Have new Toyo A/T 3s and I'd like to get to about the same lift, 1.5" or so but we do a lot of highway driving too. I don't mind a "truck ride" as much as the missus.

TIA!

 

They are the 5100’s. Had those on my t4r for 12 years and loved them. I am actually surprised by the ride and was expecting them to be a bit firmer than they are and that’s a good thing. They are actually only a little more firm than stock and the rear handles great unloaded. I would do the progressive AAL vs regular AAL or blocks in a heartbeat.

 

Can you inform the ignorant?
What's the difference between progressive AAL and regular AAL ???
TIA

 

Did my first ever oil change on my ‘23 today. Things I learned:

The original crush washer installed by the factory can be a huge pain. Mine seemed fused onto the oil pan. I eventually got it off using a plastic trim tool, but it probably cost me a good 30 minutes of my time.

I thought the Tacoma held 6 qt but it must be slightly higher. I put in 6 qt Havoline, but when I dumped the old oil into the used Havoline container, it overflowed and I had to soak up maybe .1 or so qt of spilled extra oil (thank goodness I had cardboard under it). I’m assuming it’s ok to just put in exactly 6 qt every change?

I can’t read the Tacoma dip stick for the life of me. I assume it’s supposed to be between the 2 dots at the end of the stick, but mine looked to be a bit above the upper dot, but was so hard to tell since the oil is almost invisible on it. Any advice with that?

 

The Off-Road 3.5l takes 6.2q of oil, and Toyota will sell you 7.

The dots generally are 1qt apart, so between the bottom to top dot is 1qt difference. 6 might be fine, but I put 6.2. If you did not change the filter (IMO you should always change it, esp on a brand new engine) and then pour in 6q, you will be over, but generally anywhere in between is acceptable. Many on here scuff up that part of the dipstick so it will show better when checking.

 

Good info, thanks!

@bismarck, I'll stand corrected, but I believe he's talking about an adjustable or "progressive" add a leaf that allows you to set the lift from x to x inches (i.e. 1" to 2") by adding one or more leaves whereas "regular" add a leaf is static at whatever height you order. The only thing that makes me wary of adding a leaf (or leaves) are the stories I hear about them making noise (squeaking). But it sounds like the set @Gatafly works well. Some good info here:

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/tacoma-rear-spring-upgrade

The only other thing that makes me want to think about it some more is that when you total up the investments in the Bilsteins (which I have on my other truck - love 'em) and the AALs, it's approaching the cost of the Toyota OEM lift kits. So many choices!

 

hmm ok so technically I should be 0.2 low (which is probably not a big deal), but am I reading my dipstick wrong then? From what I can tell, it shows it a bit above the upper dot (the dot farthest from the bottom tip of the stick)

 

I updated my post with some more info after you quoted.

But it should not be above the upper dot. Did you change the filter?

 

Looks good, love the stance.

 

I suggest running the engine for at least 5 min. and then check after shutdown 5 min. later making sure you are on an even surface.

 

yes I changed the filter.

 

I’ll do that and report back. I was level when I checked earlier. Maybe I just don’t know how to read a dipstick hah. I swear it was “wet” above the upper dot

 

You should be under the dot then.

This post sums up what I would recommend at this point. It should not be above the top dot at 6q.

 

At the dealer for an alignment, here we GO!

 

Scuff up the dipstick between the two dots. It will make it easier to read.

 

https://youtu.be/h6rr3ZHa3Gg

 

Added demon shackle brackets and d-ring shackles to try and make it look a bit tougher. Also added some raptor light in the grill.

 

Great review. I plan on doing these in the future. Do you have a reason for not getting the cross bar?

 

Result of getting caught in a zip tie loop