What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

not sure if you’re able, but it’s a somewhat simple job. Can rent a spring compressor from most auto parts stores. Will need a jack, jack stands, impact gun and sockets. Being your truck is new, won’t really have to fight rust or frozen hardware either.

 

Not sure I follow. If you took your existing shock and extended the rod that holds the bottom eye, you would absolutely get a lift. It would also affect max droop, but that's because it's lifted and consuming part of that droop. Not the best way, but similar to a top hat spacer.

 

A spring compressor is not needed on these trucks to replace the front struts, replacing them are super easy. Unbolt the lower ball joint, and loosen the lca bolts. You can throw a jack under the lca to compress the spring and remove the top strut bolt. Then lower the jack, remove the bottom strut bolt and out it comes. Its about a 30 minute per side job, takes longer to clean up and put the tools away.

 

OTT tune. I've had my 2017 Tacoma since it was new. It currently has 104,611 miles and wish I had known about the tune 104,000 miles ago. I contacted Jay at Low Country tuning inquiring about the OTT. I met with him in Charleston today and he woke my Tacoma up. I feel as if I purchased a new Tacoma today for $450.00. Light/mild tune made huge difference.

 

The rear shocks do not lift the truck, the full kit also comes with a rear lift block. If you install the struts at 2'' clip in front and just the rear shocks you will be nose high. Rear shocks alone will not give you lift, a block, add a leaf, new spring packs, bags are the only way to give you lift in the back. The new shocks will help support the weight slightly more but thats it.

 

Good to know.

Not sure if the kit includes the rear lift blocks...another question I'd have to get answered.

Otherwise, I'll have to get it separately...if it's not in the kit.

 

Yeah, the circlip on the shock body having multiple groves to rest in to adjust the ride height makes perfect since, I could not see that in the picture from the dealer, or didn't see it one (now I have to look again lol)... That being said as long as the spring at full droop still has some compression on it, I don't think it needs to be replaced either now...

Thanks for clearing that up y'all...

EDIT, I can see the groves now in the picture...

 

Yeah have to take a look should be a rear block and longer u bolts. Also depends how you use the truck. The leaf springs in these 3rd gen’s are garbage. They sag with next to no weight. That is why it’s so common you see people swap the leaf packs all together to not only get the desired lift but also support a load.

 

Thanks for this! I thought that’s how this could be done, didn’t really wanna scratch my springs up with a 4 prong harbor freight spring compressor. Been thinking about doing the front ones..

 

would it be a waste of time to just replace the leaf pack and not the shocks? With 60k on the truck.

 

Planning to swap with stock height leaf packs or some that give you lift? If lifting, you should put longer travel shocks to match.

 

Yep the weight of the truck is your friend, going back in throw the bottom bolt in the strut and jack the lca and spring slowly to line it up. Just don’t want to tear the top mount as the strut shaft passes through. Extremely easy install, hardest part is finding a reputable shop to do a real alignment vs just a toe and go like most do. It’s a nicer ride than stock worth the upgrade even if you keep the factory height. I went .65 and eventually went up to 1.1 noticeable improvement

 

You need longer shocks to pair with whichever leaf packs/stage you want.

 

I hate the stock Entune radio knobs; they're slick and too small for my hands. Replaced them with a couple of nice knurled anodized aluminum knobs I found on etsy for $35. Much better.

 

That TRD Shock Kit does not include the 1inch blocks. Doing some research and found these two real quick:

I like the Eibachs.

 

That TRD Shock Kit does not include the blocks.

See above for a couple I did quick research.

 

Sorry I may have missed it, but are you just trying to upgrade the shocks, or also lift it a little? They sell a TRD lift kit with those shocks, blocks, and new U-bolts. If just putting the shocks on, they would want to move the circlip down to the bottom setting, or possibly the middle setting if you want the truck "leveled." If you want to lift it a little, the Eibach kit should do the rear and looks like what comes in the TRD lift kit. Keep the circlip in the top groove.

 

Originally, I was looking at the Bilstein leveling kit.

Since I don't want to install it myself, I went to the dealership to ask if there were upgraded shocks for my Sport.

Based on my VIN, the parts guy suggested Part Number PTR1335210 which includes front/rear shocks...using existing OEM Springs.

I'm told this kit is part of the TRD Lift without all the other components--I don't need the vintage grill/garnish since I bought an aftermarket one.

Contemplating whether or not I want to deal with the install or have the dealership do it.

 

Outside of the wild cost at the dealer, look at the fine print, I decided to not do it there due to them deactivating some sensor by law.

 

If it's just the shock kit and not the lift kit, they shouldn't have to mess with any sensors. It's just like any other shock replacement. IF the bottom groove provides no extra spring preload, that would be stock ride height. If you want it leveled, ask them to use the middle groove. Don't use the top groove unless you are putting a block in the back.

I used 5100s on my last 2 Tacomas and used just one groove up from the bottom (there are 5 grooves on those) to level the truck a little.