Lifting your taco

Does anyone know if it is hard to install the lift kit yourself? The full set leaf springs etc. I might just order and attempt to do it the whole weekend. Thanks in advance!

 

Depends on A LOT of things;
kit brand and design, garage setup, experience, etc etc.

My buddy is a tech, has full tools and a lift in his garage. He helped me install rear shocks, Duro bump stops, and Icon spring. That would not be a job I would want to try by myself, crawling around outside on my driveway, fetching half-assed tools.

 

It's really not THAT hard. I'm no mechanic, but I have been able to install all of my lifts so far. Granted, I haven't done a full leafpack replacement...yet!. As long as you have the tools...you could probably get er done.

Front/Rear shocks are easy...if you don't have any trouble getting bolts loose.

Lots and lots of youtube videos out there on youtube for our trucks. Watch them and then decide if you think its something you're capable of doing.

 

It's doable for anyone with common sense and the will to do the work.

 

We sell kits every day to customers varying in technical ability and skill levels. Most full leaf spring kits (assuming you arent rebuilding them or changing the leafs positions) are direct bolt in components. Fairly straight forward and as long as you know how to safely put the vehicle on jack stands, its easily doable in the driveway/garage. Same with coilovers, fairly straight forward after you watch a video or two of the order of operations. Unless you are doing a bilstein 5100 style setup, disassembling coilovers and reassembling new ones, then it becomes much more complicated (in comparison) and dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Tool wise, a simple set of metric sockets and wrenches will do the job for the front and leafs no problem, nothing specialty needed.

Let us know if you need assistance sourcing parts and we can ensure you get the correct parts and the help you need to get everything installed!

 

Oh yeah. Save yourself the trouble and buy the new front suspension fully assembled.

 

OP- it’s doable in an afternoon. You’ll want 6K jackstands(support frame fwd of leaf springs hangers, to allow axle droop to swap leafs), a jack under the axle side you’re swapping(1 at a time is best), jackstand under the other rear axle side. I was able to do it myself, but it is much easier with a spare set of hands. Play attention to TQ values, and ensure you utilize the TQ sequence on the ubolts for a uniform fit and TQ. Make sure to watch the e brake cables tension while cycling the rear end(not much slack).

 

I've thought about lifting mine an inch or so... just for looks. I'd feel confident doing the rear end, not so much the front!

 

If you buy assembled coilovers it's actually easier than doing the leafs by yourself. The leaf packs are just heavy and hard to position when you don't have a spare set of hands to help out.

 

The front end is what I don't want to mess with!

 

OP, if you tackle it, be sure to video the whole thing and post it here. TW will let you know whether you made a good decision.
I second the YouTube vid recommendation; there are so many; watch a few and you'll get an idea of whether you have the tools, skills, and patience.
Most specialty tools can be borrowed or rented from auto parts stores. Good luck!

 

This is a fairly loaded question, and really depends on your skill level, available tools and chosen parts. Personally, I like doing suspension work and generally don't find it difficult at all. I have lots of suspension experience though. I lifted my truck myself, front and rear in a weekend taking my sweet time. I've also swapped leaf packs a few times. It's much easier with another person to help out, but not too bad to do yourself. Can knock it all out in a day no problem, but if it's your first time, I'd plan on doing the front one day and the rear the next if you have a weekend to spend on it.

Garage looked pretty gnarly during the install:



That said, if you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

 

why do you need a lift?
what kind of mechanical stuff have you done before?
what lift?

 

On my FJ I did the Bilstien 5100 with 33x10.5 BFG tires in my garage at home with no help. After install I did the have it aligned. Was not very hard at all. I would say get some good aftermarket high angle cv boots and put them on while you have it apart or you will be pulling it apart again to install them.

 

I’m no master mechanic but I do work on my work truck from time to time whenever I see I can do it as in water pumps, alternators, radiators etc. I know my limits on what part to work on it’s just it will be a first time to tackle a suspension by myself so I’m a bit hesitant on doing it or just forking over money and paying out a shop. The lift I want to get would be the rough country 3.5 lift kit which I would leave a link right here https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/toyota-suspension-lift-kit-74232c

 

I aligned my own truck after a 60 ouncer of Whisky. Still don't know where I Parked it after the test drive...

 

I think you might catch a bit of flack over the lift kit (brand and 3.5" height). If you've done your research and decided on that kit you can handle the install. The biggest pain points will be the UCA bolts and any overly torqued/locked-up bolts on the rear springs. Watch some youtube videos, especially around the driver side UCA bolt removal. Have a plan and the tools setup and give yourself a weekend. You got this.

 

I think a bit of reading around here might lead you to choose another product and a somewhat lower lift goal.

 

The brand was recommended by me by a near by shop but I appreciate all the suggestions after all I did come on here for opinions ✊

 

I would leave it stock...That's just my take.