RCD Install question

Hey everyone, I am leaning towards the RCD 4.5" lift for my 2010 Tacoma 4X4. I have read through the instruction sheet as I will be doing the work myself. How hard is the cutting of the frame? Do they provide a template or is it obvious what needs to be cut? That is the only part I am a bit hesitant about. Are there any other "gotchas" to look out for. I looked for a writeup on the install but had no luck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Primo

 

Has anyone done this lift??????

 

It is an easy kit to install, When you go to cut the frame, use the rear drop bracket to measure your cut.

 

Maybe their quality has improved a bit since I installed one, but it was a pain in the ass. The cross member is pretty obvious. just need to cut a notch for the front drive shaft to drop down. The problem we had was getting the offset spacers to line up right where the DB bolts to the frame and then the guides for the lower control arm cam bolts were all mucked up with their Krinkle finish and had to have some grinding done to allow the cam bolt washers to sit flush against it. They also reuse the small bracket that holds the wire for the ABS sensor, but they dont provide a guide for it so it moves around and can rub stuff. Personally I wouldnt recommend this kit unless things have improved. I have beefs with the Procomp kit as well. The way the sway bar end links connect to the spindles on the procomp kit is the stupidest shit on the planet. I have not messed with any fabtech kits.

 

Thanks guys, I had not, to this point, read much bad about the RCD lift besides the fact that it's a diff drop and I don't care about that as this is my daily driver. Pro Comp was on my list but I don't think I want to lift it six inches. Now you have me confused. What would be your recommendation? Has anyone had a positive experience with the RCD kit?????

Thanks,
Primo

 

Most people will have positive experiences with the kit, but 99% of them didn't install it themselves.

 

I installed mine my self, I think it is a great kit. I love it.

The only problem I had was removing the front Diff, I did it in my garage. My one regret is not having a car lift at my house. It took me about 16 hours. I would bet I spent most of my time getting up and down.

If you do get the RCD kit do the back first. The instructions say to do the front.. But after busting ass on the front you will be exhausted. The back I did in 2 hours, the day before I did the front. I know if i did it the other way round Id have been too tired the next day to do the back.

If you have some people helping you you can do it all in 1 day. It is alot of work for one guy. And some parts get heavy real fast.

 

So you had no issues as described above? I will be doing it most likely by myself in a garage without a lift as well. Great advice to do the back first. I would have jumped to the front. So, you are happy with the lift itself? I do no hardcore off roading and will just take it on trails hunting and fishing so I am mostly concerned with the on road manners and from what I read it isn't too bad. Do you wish you went with a Fabtech or Pro Comp or one of the 3 inch lifts? The only thing that I'm not thrilled with is using blocks in the rear instead of a leaf pack or AAL.

 

I have had no issued with mine. Just make sure you get the torque specs right.

I also did not like the blocks, I got a set of Alcan springs made. I went 4 inches over stock and a 400 lbs preload. I run with a camper on the back and a hi-lift in the bed. I sit 1 inch high over the front from the back.
I think if you did an AAL or an Expo pack you would be fine and sit level. Plus it will cost less than the pack I had made.

I also run 305/17/65 wheels. I have not had any rubbing issues. Not even at full lock.

As far as the on the road handling. I could not be happier. My truck shifts better (Stander Trans) It seems the extra weight from the wheels for some reason smoothed out my shifts. Road drift is not there at all. Yeah if I hit large bumps there is a little sway. But your kidding your self if you think you can run a 33 inch tire on any lift and not have a little.

I did lose a lot of MPG but I expected that. I went from on average 20 mpg to 15. I get better gas mileage in town at about 18 mpg (I spend most my time on the freeway) The freeways here are an average of 75 mph in the slow lane, (65) posted. If you have driven in AZ you know what I mean.

As for other lift kits. I did look at going to a 6 inch. I had back surgery in February. (I Put the lift on this November) Getting in and out of a truck that high probably would have not been good on the back.. And my wife is only 5 foot tall. So she have been bitching.. I can only take one pain in the back at a time. I also read a lot of people having drive line shake and such, so I went with some thing sensible. At least I think so.

If you think about it, every inch you go past the first 3 inches cost about $1000, So a 3 inch kit will cost you $1000, Plus UCA at about $550.
The RCD kit is $1800 and you don't need the UCAs. So you get an extra inch for $200. (Not counting Shipping buying used or friend discounts).

If you do the 6 inch lift it is going to cost you $2700? plus UCAs. Do not go cheep and get the one with the spacers. Yeah it is a lot less but from what I have seen all the guys with a basic kit are the ones with the ride quality issues.

 

Thank you so much Specalt. Did you have to do anything else to get 305s on the Taco? I was thinking 295s but 305s would be even better.

Primo

 

The 305's fight right on. No issue at all. 295's are a good choice too. Just be cautious of the with the width. The 305's I have are 305/65's a lot of the 295's are 295/75's they = about the same but you never know.