Ironman lift install notes

I installed the Ironman lift on my 2013 DCSB this weekend, and it all went reasonably well. Thought I'd post some notes for those who might want them.

The rear is fast and easy:
Set your truck on jack stands, and the rear axle as well; remove rear wheels.
Remove the ebrake cable from your stock springs; remove shocks.
Remove u-bolts. I find it easiest to just cut these off, the lift comes with new ones.
Remove front spring pin and rear shackle: remember what orientation the rear shackle goes back on!
Install new bushes into the springs, and grease/lube them as you like.
The kit comes with bushes for the shackle, but near as I can tel, the bush in the shackle is "permanently installed" from the factory. Or, at least on the install on my previous 2005, , I couldn't press it out with my shop press, and wrecked one, sending me to the dealer for a new noe, which they had. I did not repeat that mistake this time.
Set the springs in place, replace front pin mount and rear shackle, greasing parts as you wish. Don't torque til you get it on the ground.
Re-fit ebrake cable. Fit new shocks. Refit wheels, and set 'er on down.

Front coils.
Jack her up and set on jack stands; remove front wheels.
Remove sway bar.
Disconnect tie rod ends. Disconnect upper ball joints.
Remove strut via three top nuts and one bottom bolt.
You either need to re-use your tophat, or, buy a new one and new bush with it. Since my truck had only 5,000 miles on it I reused mine.
Build your new strut assembly, or, have it built for you. Without proper tools, and, even with them, building a strut can be a daunting task. Don't do it if you're not experienced with it: see notes below.
Set new strut in and reverse your steps. Don't torque the nuts and bolt til you put the tires on and get weight on them.

I will say this, I don't remember building the struts being so scary last time.


I have a good screw and clamp type compressor and it went easy when I did my 2005...however, I re-used my 70,000 mile old tophats, so, the rubber at the spring seat had a lot of time to compress, I guess.

This truck has 5000 miles on it, so, that rubber is fresher.

I had the compressor tightened to where threaded rod had started to bow a little, and I still couldn't get the tophat on enough to set the nut on the struts rod...so I finally grabbed some long wood working clamps and compressed the top hats on...then still had to fight the foam shock rod...since they're not gas charged, the rod kept sucking back into the shock body.

If I do another one of these, I'll either buy a strut press or outsource that job!!!


With the rear end done, truck frame on jacks, and rear axle hanging there, the brake lines took pretty taut. I went up to the frame and bent the hanger down a little; there was a little room for the hard lines to move up there. I may yet shim the lower mount on the axle up a little.


The e-brake lines were also pretty tight, but I bent their mounts that attach to the leaf pack out a little and I'm happy with that.


after the install, I drove the truck and didn't feel any driveline vibration, so I did not install the carrier bearing drop.

that's about it. I didn't take a lot of pics as once I started building the struts, I wanted that done....

Ah: I should also note;
I did not install the carrier bearing standoff.
Drove it first, had no vibration issues, and so, didn't use it.

 

I'll get some before and after, and a little of the install pics up in a bit...

 

Before first, after below...

 

Are the pics before & after? Cuz the top pic doesn't look lifted

 

exactly

 

Nice. How much the tires run you? I'm ready for a new set, just shopping around right now

 

They were about $1200 installed, from Sears.
I did find them a little cheaper elsewhere, but, Sears was better after mount/balance/road hazard.

I should qualify: this price was for 5 tires.

 

are they cooper stt maxx tires

 

yessir
265/75/16 on TRD FJ Cruiser Trail Team wheels

 

how are they ?

cause ive had the cooper discover a/t3 and i have no complaints with them .

 

I only just got them, but, they're beefy, with great tread depth, handle well, and they sure are quiet. No trail experience with them yet.

 

Looks good man! I have the same tires and I love them. 844 installed from Quality Tire a shop here locally. They work great on everything I have thrown at them so far, the only complaint I have is that they tend to hold and toss gravel.

 

Did you get the lift online? I can't find a source anywhere that has them in stock. Thanks

 

that's for 4 tires, right? even still: good deal. better than I did, for the 5 I got.
We don't have "Quality Tire" here.


"they tend to hold and toss gravel."
I think anything with this amount of tread depth would..............BEEFY!

 

I got mine from trdparts4u; I don't know if the kits are listed on the web yet. Call them.
Metaltech 4x4 also has them.

The Ironman4x4America site may list other dealers.

 

How much lift did the new leaf pack give you? Do you know how much more load carrying capacity they gave you?

Looks good

 

I did not measure before and after on this truck.
On my 2005, it gave me ~2"

No idea on load capacity, but the Tacoma rear leaves are -the- most weak ass springs ever on a truck. Two main leaves, one overload, the thing would sag with my bowling bag in the back. Sheesh.

I may be wrong, as the truck isn't in front of me right now, but I think the Ironman leaves had 5 main and two overload leaves.

 

My 13 has 3 main leaves and a overload I think. I've had a shell on it almost since day one and those things are almost completely flat. I was about to order some dakars and take a leaf out, but may go this way now. These have been out of stock for awhile.

 

When Camel4x4 had Ironman distribution in the US, yes, they were out of stock.
Ironman distributorship in the US has changed hands, and there is now stock back in country.