How Long Will This Take To Install?

Hi guys, I ordered Toytec-Eibach front coil lift springs and 1 1/2″ lift Rear Add-a-Leaf for Rear TSB Springs.

I figure 2hrs max?

 

You must be really good. Took me and a buddy about 8 hours to do all 4 corners. We weren't rushing but we also weren't going overly slow.

 

Start early!!

Do the fronts first. So when you get to the rear it will seem to be a cake walk. lol. And depending on your year you should spray the crap out of all the nuts with some PB Blaster.

There is also a chance that your LCA bots are seized so don't be suprised if you need those bolts for alignment.

 

A mechanic in a shop with lift, wall-mount spring compressor, good impact gun, etc. may be able to do it in 2 hours.

 

Now I'm worried. I've installed AALs before but never coil springs. I don't have a lift or a wall mounted spring compressor.

Mabe ill take her to my mechanic.

Would you suggest an alignment?

 

He's just saying you would need that type of set up to do it that quickly. You can do it at home, but I would not count on getting it done in two hours. Youtube has some install vids if you want to see what it's going to take before you attempt it.

 

I bought my coilovers pre-assembled so I didn't need a spring compressor. Did it all with some hand tools and a couple jacks/jack stands. It's not hard, but it is time consuming. My truck was less than a year old and lives in the south too so all the bolts were pretty easy to get off.

 

And yes, you will need an alignment after.

 

Like he said, it isn't technically difficult but it will be time consuming. Spray down all the bolts with pb blaster or something similar and do it several days in a row so it has time to soak in.

 

I just installed front Bilstein 5100's re-using the stock coil springs and it took me about 4 hours to install them taking my time. First time doing this on this style of Tacoma but I've done it before on a few other trucks.

I'd recommend removing the two bolts securing the lower ball joint, removing the lower shock bolt and loosening the two LCA alignment bolts in that order. Then the LCA can swing freely out of the way. The sway bar will need to be removed as well. Have it aligned afterwards.

Did it in my drive way using hand tools, a local mechanic let me use his spring compressor and luckily nothing was seized. Anything seized will tack on more time if you want to salvage the part. Pro shops work fast by just cutting out anything seized, plus they've usually done the job before and have the proper tools.

 

You can do everything at home, but it will take much longer than 2 hours.

As for the spring compressor, the handheld units sold at Autozone, etc., basically threaded rods with hooks, presents a degree of safety risk. Even if you decide to do the install yourself, it's recommended to take the shocks and springs to a mechanic to do the spring swap.

An alignment is very much necessary afterwards.

 

about 4 hours in your driveway with no spring compressor and normal tools

 

like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc&list=PLheU2UyUkN-676uXiM6rzvffIzzQ7FA77

accept do not loosen your lower control arms. You don't need to.

And once its all together have an alignment done.

 

Personally, separating the coil spring from the shock that way scares the shit out of me. I'd rather pay somebody $50 than risk having the spring fly out. Heard to many horror stories...

 

X1000000

That happened to chris4x4!

Broke his hand/wrist. Accidents happen.

 

Exactly. Pretty sure a broken hand isn't worth saving $50...

 

thats why i dont use spring compressors

there is nowhere for them to fly in the suspension, and no compressor to break..

I take them out whole and have a sandbag i lay on the coil on the grass and spin the top nut off with the impact.. nothing in the way to get injured.

 

A true pro grade spring compressor used properly is safe as it gets. They're made only to compress springs, that's it. I avoid the threaded rod ones like the plague.

 

true, i have no problem with one like this but stay away from the autozone special

 

Agreed. Stay away from these. Truck coils are too stiff to safely use these.