1st Gen U bolt flip kit install

You don't see this install too much on 1st Gen Tacoma's due to the shock mount relocation.
So here's how I did it now you don't have to do it the way I did you can just use the shock upper mounts and weld new lower mounts to the axle if you like.

Tools
1/2 drive socket wrench and a breaker bar (1/2" impact gun and air ratchet are helpful but not required)
17mm & 19mm sockets (Impact sockets if the Impact gun is used)
Torque wrench
Angle grinder with a wire wheel to clean the metal
Angle locater
2 Jack stands
Floor jack
220v Welder


Items Needed

Lower shock mount tabs
Primer & paint
PB Blaster (Spray all bolts the day before the install)
"Upper shock mounts and a cross-member if relocating the uppers"
U-bolt flip kit
Grade 8 bolts for the lower shock mounts

1. Break lug nuts Jack up the truck and support the frame with the jack stands
2. Take the floor jack and support the the Diff (pumpkin) of the rear axle
3. Remove wheels
4. Do this for driver and passenger side


5 Install the U-bolt flip kit as shown and snug down the bolts in a Cris cross pattern. Then take the torque wrench and torque the bolts to 90flbs
(Note: not all flip kits are alike so it might not be a 19mm nut)


6. Now it's time to install your lower shock mounts.Grind off all pint and rust on the axle where your going to mount your shock. This is where it gets tricky if your just doing the lowers it's simpler just mount the shock in the upper mounts and attach the lower tabs to the shock hold the shock in place keeping the left and right of the shock as close to 90 degrees as possible. Then tack the tabs into place when both sides are tacked and you like the placement check your angles one more time then remove the shocks and burn in the welds. Paint the bare metal and reinstall your shocks. And re-torque the u-bolts after 100~ miles and again after 500 or so


Note: if your keeping the stock mounts then you would want longer shock mounting tabs because the ones i used would put a steeper angle on your shocks.

Angled Shocks

There is many ways to do this I went with the rear of the axle because i still drive the truck 90% of the time on the street and wanted it street drivable. but you can mount yours how ever you want.


If you want to go the route I went do all 4 steps listed above and grind off all the paint from the 3" mark to the 5" mark from your U-bolts. Then grind all the paint off the inside of the frame rails for the cross member install.

6.1 I placed my cross member just back far enough so the mounting points of the upper shock mounts matched up with the stock rear putting my shock mounts at 30 degrees off the back of the axle. The cross member was constructed out of 2" .120 wall HREW tubing and the mounting locations were 3/16th plate steel 4 pieces cut 2"x1" and 2 cut to 2"x3". the 2x1's were welded to the 2x3 making a U shape then tacked to the cross member as seen in the picture. I did not measure the location of the upper shock mounts. I used the angle locator to find my location i just took the shock tabs and mounted them to the shocks wedged the cross member in place and held the shocks at the angle i wanted. I ended up mounting them 3 1/2" from the U-bolts on the lowers. And the shocks at 30 degrees towards the rear of the axle and 20 degrees angled in. Tack everything in place and check your angles.

(Note with your axle at full droop when your tacking your shocks check the length of shock tube exposed. You should have at least 2 1/2" of travel left in your shock or you with max them out when you flex. I have not measured the shock to wheel travel of this setup yet but it's not 1" to 1" when I get the measurements I'll update it)










7 Once everything is tacked and you re-check all your angles go ahead and burn everything in. After it cools prime and paint all bare metal and re-install your shocks.

And re-torque the u-bolts after 100~ miles and again after 500 or so

Finished!








I will add instructions on the bump stops when i get some pictures.

 

Awesome write up.

 

Thanks man Ive been getting a lot of PM's asking how I did mine so i figured I could do a write up and send a link If I'm asked.

 

I read on your build thread that you're thinking of reangling your shocks so they're l l instead of / \. You still planning on doing that?

 

Great writ-up man!!

 

sub'd Good Job JLee, I've been wanting to do something similar just didnt know exactly what!

 

No that was before I did this i was going to go l l route but I did some more reading and went /\ and love it.

 

Once again it looks great. I'll be getting the flip kit with my expos in the next coupla months

 

I know this might be a dumb question but I seach and all I could find is u bolt flip kit forsake...

So here's my quesion: what's the benefits of installing a flip kit?

 

And dont forget to retorque the u-bolts after 100~ miles and again after 500 or so. They stretch a bit.

 

MOAR ground clearence

 

Yes this ^ forgot to mention that I'm adding that

 

Good write up on your MODS Jerry, but dude you need to clean off that rust scale on undercarriage & hit it hard with some undercoating .unless its just Clay stains I see (possibly this cause I'm old & blind)

 

Thanks yeah it a mix of clay and rust I've been meaning to get it all off.

 

JLee, awesome write yet again! Well done~

 

Great write up!

 

do you think my rear 5100's have enough travel to do this, or should i stick witht he stock config. I have the AP flip kit and @ shock mounts already i just want to make sure i do it right

 

no you'll need the 10'' shock at least since you moving the mounting points..i mean i guess you could bu you'd over extend them..

 

I don't even need to reply to my threads ^

 

haha!!

















true.....