Removing a lift kit

Hello All, I recently purchased my first Tacoma, 2023 Off Road. It came with a lift kit that I would like to remove. From what I've found, it looks like it was lifted using spacers on the front and rear struts and blocks under the leaf springs.

The control arms, springs, and struts seem to be OE.

Will it be as simple as removing the spacers and blocks? Is there anything more involved that I'm missing?

Thank You.

 

Yep just remove the spacer blocks.. easy peasy

 

yep, just a block and spacer lift. You can definitely remove it yourself but a few things. One, you'll need an alignment after. Second, make sure to torque everything back to the correct spec. Finally, do NOT free the coil spring accidentally while taking that spacer off. You can get REALLY really hurt. Like broken bones and punctured organs hurt depending on how the spring comes flying off. You need to use a spring compressor to do this safely. Honestly, I’d just take it to a shop.

You'll definitely need a set of stock U-bolts for the back. Otherwise these ones are going to hang down as high as that lift block was. Best practice is to get a new set and nuts to go with them. You don't want to reuse U-bolts or U-bolt nuts.

You'll also need multiple jack stands. The stock bottle jack won't cut it if that's all you have. Ideally, this would be 100x easier on an actual auto shop lift. But if you're doing it in your driveway you're going to need to support the frame of the truck, the axle, etc. It's totally doable, just make a checklist first before starting. Nothing worse than being halfway through and finding out that you don't have the right tools.

 

Thank You for the info! I have a pair of jack stands, I'll borrow a few more from a neighbor. The front spacers look like a leveling kit rather than a lift so I may leave those there.

 

You have to remove as well your rear shock shaft extension(silver stuff pass the blue part of the shock), OEM u bolts, and remove those nasty spacers from the front suspension as it has been mentioned before. The max space to do in this platform is 1/2”.

 

I would have a professional remove, and put it back correctly, then a complete four wheel alignment. That is just my opinion.

 

^^^ THIS

Post a request for help from your regional forum (https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/regions.36/) who can talk you through more than just the removal. Many TW members work for just their favorite fermented liquid. Or get a professional to ensure your next real lift is planned and you know what you are doing.

Yes, I am saying that many TW members wrench while not exactly sober.

 

It's a pretty easy job if you're familiar with wrenching. If you're not sure what to do and still want to DIY, get some help, i.e. (local TW). If it doesn't look like fun to you, take it to a shop.

 

Thank you for all the info and feedback. I've done enough mechanic work in the past to DIY and yes, absolutely will take it in for a full alignment.

A question I still have is about the front spacers. Will they need to be removed as well? It's not just a leveling kit?

 

Remove the rear first and see how it sits and go from there.

 

Wtf is that a spacer on the rear shock rod? The rear must ride like shit cause I'm guessing that shock is maxed out

 

It is indeed a spacer. This is the first Tacoma I've owned so I don't have anything to compare the ride quality to but it just looks like a bad install all around. Which is why I want to put it back to stock.

 

Spacers lifts are horrible for any suspension. Looks like 2+ inches. Good job deciding removing it and saving your axles and front differential needle bearing/seals.

 

How is he going to get hurt removing the spacer from the strut? it's not inside the spring, being compressed, all he has to do is unbolt it...looks to be just a top-spacer not the kind that go inside.

 

Yeah, that's some henky booshit right there.
It almost looks like the rear is lifted more than 2". I wonder if the brake lines are stretched or replaced.
I'd take it all off.

 

That's 100% a 2-3" block in the rear with an extension bolted to the shock, which actually does help prevent it from bottoming out. I have a 1" block in the rear and my rear shock looks same as stock, but the general consensus is 1" blocks are pretty harmless.

 

Now that you mention it, brake lines are yet another reason I want to take it off. They are original but don't have much slack left.

 

I was just trying to be overly cautious in case OP didn’t know what they were looking at and just removed EVERY thing and bolt trying to dissemble it.

 

What good would getting a rear axle alignment do?

 

So it doesn’t dog track down the road