Removing a Lift Kit

My 1st gen Tacoma came with some kind of lift kit. I have no idea the brand. There were Bilstein's up front, Ranchos in back, and a little ~1.5" aluminum spacer on the rear axle.

I am now running FOX 2.0's and want to revert to stock height.

Is this as simple as reducing some preload in front and removing the spacer out back?

It looks like the U-Bolts were also changed and there might not be enough threads remaining if I remove the spacer. What's the best option?

 

Yep its that simple. Also, by removing the blocks in the rear you lower the spring closer to the axle thus creating more thread protrusion for your ubolts

 

The shocks in the rear are Fox 2.0's. I've already replaced them and now I'm thinking of removing the lift. They say they are good for 0-1.5" lift.

I read somewhere that the ubolts are one time use. Can I just loosen them, remove the spacer, and reinstall?
If I run out of ubolt threads do I need to get stock ubolts, or can I add spacers/washers under the ubolt nuts?

 

Your good to go, just reduce preload up front and remove the spacer blocks in the rear.

Edit: as long as the coilovers up front are adjustable and the springs and coilovers are rated for 0-xx" lift.

 

Nothing wrong with reusing the ubolts. Get new if you want new.

There should be no reason why your ubolts wouldn't be long enough after removing the blocks. You can use any 9/16" x 2.5" i.d. ubolts at whatever length you need.

 

They could be too long. It depends where the threads start. With blocks, the threads probably aren't starting up as short as OEM u-bolts would, so they may not be useable. Just look at the threads and deduct the amount of lift the lift block gives to see if there's still threads left

 

Ah, that would make sense. I was only looking at it in the sense that OP meant they weren't long enough i.e. threads wouldn't engage rather than not enough threads. That would make OP's question about spacers and washer make more sense lol. Completely misread the first post about OP's ubolt situation.

 

Replace the u bolts, don't reuse them

 

By replacing the blistein shocks and presumably the coil springs, you have effectively removed the “lift” in front. You may not be sitting at stock ride height though, because Fox coil-overs often change the ride height depending on the weight of your truck, the coil spring rate, coil spring length, and coil spring preload.

To know where you are at, measure the distance between the hub and fender flare with the truck sitting on level ground.

 

Do you know where stock distances are listed? I can measure this tonight.

If my u bolts have run out of thread can I put spacers under the nuts?

 

I’m not familiar with 1st gens. Check the 1st gen channel.

 

I measured my ride heights, wheel center to fender edge.
Front Left: 22.5"
Front Right: 22.5"
Rear Left: 23.0"
Rear Right: 24.0"

Stock heights are supposedly around 21.5, which makes sense.

The spacer block in back is 1.25" thick. So if I remove that and then reduce preload in front by 0.4" it should equal out.

The next question is if my 265/70-17 tires will rub or if some lift is required to fit these. From searching here it appears that 265/75-16 will fit without any lift and that's about the same size as I have.