Complete newbie from Sacramento!

Hi, all - I'm new here and I have so many questions I don't even know where to begin!

My BF swears he will help me lift my truck but he wants me to do some research and tell him what I will need. I'm like 97% sure that he already knows, and he's just stalling/hoping I'll get distracted and forget.

So I have a 1995.5 Xtra cab 6cyl 4x4 (manual transmission because I'm a lady not an invalid) and I want it to look a little prettier. On a day to day basis I mostly just have a city commute but I do occasionally play up in the mountains or drive on surfaces that aren't technically roads... so the work will be largely decorative but not completely.

I got Moog LBJs, they just arrived yesterday. I am looking at this:

Tuff Country 52904KH 3" Lift Kit with SX6000 Shocks 4x4 Compatible with/Replacement for Toyota Tacoma & PreRunner 1995-2004

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B73I4NO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_w08svb1BKQYVZ

How do I even begin to figure out what I need?

And okay this is really embarrassing how little I know but I also need help picking tires and I just have no idea. Will I need completely new wheels? How does that even work?

Thanks

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome
Rather than that spacer lift I'd recommend a set of Bilstein 5100s all around with an Add-a-leaf in the rear. Still wont break the bank too bad but will get you a better performing suspension, especially since we have no idea what condition your current shocks are in. You'll then need an alignment and could get a slightly larger tire and more negative offset wheel for a more aggressive stance.

 

Welcome from the same area.

 

Okay, he says that's what I'm getting. I guess it wasn't important that I figure it out on my own, haha. I can't wait to actually get outside and do it! It's going to be so fun

 

Welcome!

 

Hi, all - ended up doing Bilstein 5100s and Toytech eibachs and add a leaf. It was super fun when we got it all put together and then realized we messed up the front and had to redo it... haha.

Pics to come as soon as I get new tires, I'm too embarrassed to show it right now (the current tires are super bald). Ordered some toyos so I'm pretty excited about that

 

Don't be embarrassed... We're all builds in progress. You'll NEVER be done

 

Haha okay here's one

Hope you guys like my tailgate, I did it myself using a shell from carparts.com combined with the guts from my old one, with a custom decal I ordered. I realize the lettering is from the wrong generation but I thought it was pretty cute and let's be honest I wasn't really going to look stock anyway.

 

How do I clean the, um, rats, I don't know what it's called. The hub lock that I turn when I go into or out of 4wd. It seems like it's getting harder and harder to switch between locked and unlocked.

My horseshoer said it needs to be cleaned and re-greased, is that true? If so, is that something I can do?

 

Sorta true. It could be that the 'locking hub cover' assembly has accumulated grease and dirt inside, preventing the internal parts from moving freely. Easy job to clean it up.

With the hub in 'Free' position, just remove the 6 bolts (10mm). Then just slide it out. Clean out any accumulated crud, and lightly lube it (DO NOT pack it with grease). Don't try to dis-assemble that locking cover any further, its quite tricky to get it back together correctly. Then slide back in and replace bolts. Before you start, you might want to mark the hub it so that the hub cover goes back in with the same orientation relative to the hub.

Congrats on the new rig . Manual hubs rule!

PS - get yourself a Haynes repair manual and study it before each repair attempt.

 

Will do - both the cleaning and the Haynes. I had one in my 91 but I let it go with that truck, figured it wouldn't be right for a 95.5.

 

Went to the river with a friend today and the spot he had in mind was really crowded. He was in his jeep and asked me if my truck was okay to go offroad. I said yes really confidently as if I totally knew so he took off and I followed him... no problem, didn't even have to put it in 4wd. Wish I had more pics but I was kind of busy driving. Actually I just wish you could see the baby seat strapped in the back of the jeep and the 4-year-old girl having a blast and waving at me.