Installed 3" lift but ride became stiff due to wrong kit

I am running into an issue. I currently have a 2008 tacoma pre runner RWD. I recently installed a rough country 3 in lift kit. But after installing the kit my ride was super stiff so i went to a couple local car shops and later to find out the kit that i bought from rimzone, stated that the kit was for 4wd/2wd. So, the local shop called rough country and they stated that the kit is only for 4wd. One of the shop stated that I can try to replace my OEM upper control arm with the extended version, but he is not certain that it will help. Now im not sure what to do. Need help or advice.

 

What type lift?
a spacer kit?

If it was a spacer kit, that's normal.
They compress the crap out of the spring, make for a harsh ride.

But we can only speculate, until we know what lift you installed.

 

On Rimzone it is a rough country 3 inch lift. but the lift kit is not on rough country website bc rims one stated it’s for 4wd/2wd. but rough country states that it’s only for 4wd.

 

There are 2 different kits listed there, one is a spacer lift both front and rear, and the other is new front coilovers with spacers on the rear. Either should work on both 2WD and 4WD 6-lug Tacomas. Which one did you go with?

Both appear to come with front diff drop spacers, which may be why they say it is for 4WD models. You wouldn't need to use those, though.

May want to consider changing the thread title to "Need suspension lift help" -- "Need Help" is informally reserved for people that are stranded.

 

Most 4WD kits will fit a PreRunner.
The PreRunner is basically the same as the 4WD. Without a Transfer case, a front driveshaft, or CV axles.
The suspension is the same for the most part.

 

spacers and blocks will give you a harsh ride. I'm wondering what difference it makes if they're on a 2WD or 4WD?

 

Yeah, if it was the spacer kit.
That's the problem.
Stuffing a 3" spacer kit in stock component is going to make it a rough ride.

 

Verry little to none. The Off-Road used progressive springs.
The Sport were not.

An Off-road "should" respond a bit better to a SMALL spacer.
As the spring is "softer" up to to dampen ride.

But at 3"......it's going to be rough.

 

Looks like this spacer goes on top of the strut, not between the strut and the spring, so it shouldn't give extra preload, just may limit the amount of droop.

 

BTW, replacing the Upper Control arms will NOT help.
They will only help get a good alignment.
But will not help the ride quality.

 

This is the kit that I purchased.

 

I went to a couple shops and one of them mentioned getting new (extended) steering knuckles. and another one did mention the UCA for alignment. But i’m just not sure if the 2 front shocks and struts, that are meant for 4wd, will last or cause any problems at all for a 2wd in the short and long run.

 

The Rough Country site doesn't list the spring rate on these, but it could be that they are higher than stock. They should be fine for a 2WD, even the RC site doesn't say 4WD only. I suspect the RC person was saying that the kit was for 4WD because it comes with the diff drop hardware, but they sell these loaded struts separately for 2WD. https://www.roughcountry.com/product/premium-n3-lifted-strut-500012

I wouldn't worry about the 2WD/4WD thing. Your rough ride is *likely* due to a higher spring rate, but no way to tell. Not much you can do there unless RC can sell you lighter spring that fits. Add a heavy front bumper maybe?

 

So, would the rough ride not be from the struts or coilovers not having enough room to seperate or move around? Because everytime I hit a railroad, or a bump due to contruction, I feel all of the bump. As in were a suspension should seperate and allow the vehicle to seperate allowing a smoother ride when hitting a bump.

 

Post pictures of the install homie.

 

The perception of a "rough ride" can come from many things. Being oversprung or overdamped can keep the suspension from compressing and absorbing a bump. Bottoming out or topping out can cause a harsh feeling. Too fast or too slow rebound can cause a rough feeling.

Yes, please.

 

Ok here are some pictures of how it’s sitting and the control arm ball joint.

 

im just concerned about both control arms being squeezed together and not allowing the suspension to do its job.

 

agreed

 

That upper ball joint doesn't look too happy now.......
Look at that angle....