Alabama thread!

Aight guys looks like Im gonna be ordering some front bilstein 5100s and an aal in a week or so. Any Bham guys interested ion helping me install it? I have zero experience on these things and not too many tools so all help is appreciated. Tryin to keep some money in my pockets

 

Talk to my08yoyo!! HE LOVES TO INSTALL LIFTS!!! LOL!!

Matt.. Nothing much.. Just met a new guy from hazel green and I'm thinking about buying a FJ Transfer case!! So you didn't miss much!

 

Anyone need a bow just in time for deer season?

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/179226-mission-maniac-bow-70lb-22-30-draw.html

 

Paul, when you moving back up this way?

Are you getting new springs or using the ones you already have? Springs are a major pain in the ass to put on shocks.

 

^^^^^This.

Would highly recommend taking the whole spring / shock assembly out and taking it to a shop to have the springs swapped to the new shocks. It cost me like $40 and I tipped the mechanic $10 since he dropped everything and did it right then. I think it's worth every penny b/c the threaded spring compressors from Auto Zone are sketchtacular, even more so on truck springs.

 

I would have to agree to take it somewhere for the assembly of spring/shock. It was really what took the most time of the install everything else pretty simple, once I got KYLE out the way.

 

Oh BTW.. Brian.. As soon as I get all my stuff in over the next few months...

OME 886x Coils (Already Have them), Transfer Case, Front Shocks (RCD 4" Bilstien 5100's), Rear Leaf pack (still trying to decide on Alcan or custom built somewhere local), and Rear Bumper Line-x'd.. I'm going to have my own little mod meet! LOL! So expect sometime beginning of the year to have all my stuff in!

So please ADVERTISE MY KOOZIES!! As soon as this next batch gets in I'm going to put them on ebay to make a little more money..

So in other words 886x's should be LOTS of fun! Rated 200+lbs over standard coils!!!

As for you! ^^^ HUSH! We got it done!

 

mid November to early December. About 90% sure I got the job but I should know for sure in two weeks.

 

Well good deal. Maybe one of these days I'll get you your tires back then.

 

haha yeah, about time right.

 

I'm using stock coils, so I guess my best bet would be to take it somewhere one i get them off the truck. Is taking them on and off pretty straight forward?

 

There are lots of how-to threads on the forum of how to disassemble the front suspension components.

To do it the "easy way" you'll want to rent a ball joint puller to remove the spindle from the UCA. The bolt that the castle nut is on is a tapered press fit that requires a puller to remove the spindle. There are other ways to remove it that involve a chisel / hammer / crowbar... however you risk tearing the boot. Not worth it if you can rent the puller set for free. Go ahead and get the one that includes 3 sizes of puller to make sure you get the right one.

If you really want to "do it right" get a torque wrench and a Haynes manual or Toyota service manual and torque all the bolts to spec.

IIRC, to do the front shock removal you've basically got a few things to remove:
1) swaybar end links and loosen bushing mounts, flop it out of the way
2) spindle castle nut from UCA, be careful it'll flop down, be ready for it
3) Bottom through bolt holding shock to LCA
4) top three bolts (NOT CENTER) holding shock to tower

I may be missing something, but I think that's it. Honestly it's really simple. If you have someone else do the coils on the shocks, it's cake. I think some folks suggest steering TRE's, but it's not necessary. I put mine on w/o removing those. It makes it easier, but I made do w/o doing that.

Be sure and have the truck aligned after you reassemble it, and you're good to go. I recommend Southern Off-Road / Lovelady Automotive (same place) in Pelham for the alignment. Those guys do a darn good and VERY thorough job, and from my experience they've been stand-up honest folks as well.

 

Howdy fellas, just dropping in. I haven't been to active on this thread, but figured I'd start. Missed the meet last year cause it was the last day of hunting season, hopefully I can join in on the fun this year. Anything good going on in here??

EDIT: Kyle, Koozie=Bad ass, I'll be ordering one from you shortly sir. Cheers.

 

yeah, good call on the coozie kyle. I didn't realize how useful it would be tailgating. Turns out it sticks to the tiki torches I had so I set those up next to cornhole and stuck my beer to the tiki torch haha.

 

Call around to some of the local auto stores/tire stores and ask them about swapping the coils. This is the absolute worst part of what you will need to do. Taking the old shocks off and putting the new shocks on is not bad, but moving the springs is hell. Doable, but I swore after helping Justin with his, I would never do it again. Read up on here and you will find replacing the shocks isn't to bad. I doubt I could make it to Bham to help, but if you want to ask questions, I'll be glad to field a phone call and walk you through it. Also, getting about time for a fall Meet/Mod day I think. I hear a few folks getting parts coming in and need to do some work, so you could come up to Huntsville and do it.

Some notes I had from my UCA replacement.

If you are replacing just the UCA, the swaybar and tie rods can stay. If replacing shocks, swaybar and tie rods have to go. The best thing to do with the spindle if you are doing shocks is to ziptie it to the UCA so it can't drop away, use two or more zipties because that spindle is heavy. You don't want to snap your break line or traction sensors.

For the upper spindle bolt, loosen the castle nut to be flush with the bottom of the bolt, spray some wd40 or similiar up through the bolt hole toward the ball joint and then tap on the castle nut from the side in different directions and it should pop loose pretty easily. We also used my floor jack to take some of the pressure off when pulling the spindle loose. No prying necessary.

 

yeah i love it so much that is why im on my 3rd different lift that i have installed on my truck. this last one was the only one i had help on...... thanks again kyle and brian.

 

You huntsville guys watching rocket city rednecks? It's bumming me out. Looks really scripted to make everyone seem redneck as hell.

 

I am... of course its scripted, they never said otherwise. I don't think it makes them come across as stupid though.... besides, can't make huntsville look too good or people will move here!

 

yeah true I guess. As brilliant as those guys are, I just feel they would take a more systematic approach to armoring a vehicle than duct tape, pvc, great stuff, and "beer" cans

 

and why not use pure alcohol...instead of distilled liquor...