Mesa Shop for Susp Install

The leaf packs in the rear were just replaced by the dealer 2 months ago. The kit added a leaf, no spacer. That being said, so far, the rear seem to ride smooth. The front end makes some racket, so I'll need to dig into that to sort out why. I can't wait to get her on a trail to see how she does.
And thank you. I love the new look. It was a function before fashion change due to our camping load, but I sure dig it so far.

 

It does look like you have some reverse rake. I wonder how it will look when the rear is loaded with camping gear. I personally like a little forward rake so I am level with kids and stuff in back. Good looking truck Bart.

 

That's my concern as well. The reason we lifted it was due to the gear load. Anyone know if this is common with this kit?

 

I am not familiar with that specific kit. But as I mentioned before, add-a-leaf kits tend to make leaf packs sag.

You can put bandaids to the problem by adding small lift blocks, or slightly longer shackles, etc.

The only way to go for overall long term performance, IMHO, is to get a new custom leaf packs altogether.

 

Thought a banging I was hearing was the swaybar hitting the housing, but it turns out it's the Ruff Country UCA ball joint housing hitting the springs on both sides. boo

 

I think I'm going to pull the spacers out. That should unload the coils, spacing them out a bit more, plus take the preload off, and lowering it a tad, giving it some more room to move.

 

were u able to solve the problem?

 

Hoping to get it done this week. After talking to Toytec, it turns out that I shouldn't be using the spacers and it's lifted too much. Aiming to have the spacers removed this week.

 

I'm confused...so u have both spacers and coilovers?

 

The kit came with the option for top plate spacers which the way it read, sounded like they could be needed to get a full 3", so I ordered them pre assembled with the spacers. After talking to Toytec, they told me that the spacers are only needed if the truck has a lot of weight on it. Would have been nice notes on the site eh? He said I should only be 23" from the center of the hub to the fender, and I'm at just over 24". He did seem a bit confused as to how I have a V6 full cab truck and it's sitting so high. So, now I'm sceptical. But, that would explain the sagging rear look it has right now.
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/BK0510--Bilstein-Adjustable-lift-kit-with-5100-shocks_p_132.html

 

Toytec is full of crap lol

Seriously, any lift that needs spacers to achieve the lift is bad news. Spacers are not the solution for a heavier vehicle. The solution is a different schock with different valving and different spring rates. Spacers also wear suspension components faster, especially ball joints. They can make the springs sag too.

I went through all this crap with these types of generic kits years back with my 1st gen tacoma until I finally did it right with adjustable racing coilovers.

Hopefully you'll get the lift you need without the spacers and call it a day. Maybe that will even the front with the rear.

Long term though, adjustable coilovers is the way to go with the IFS. King or IVD are great choices - though expensive. Seriously, it is night/day difference. I regretted not doing it early on.

Good luck man.

 

Ya, I'm not a fan of spacers either, hence I'm so open to removing them. I'm actually glad to remove them. I don't mind lowering it a bit from where it's at.

I'd love to be able to justify the cost of Adj COs some day.

 

You spent the money on the kit so you might as well roll with it. But if it doesn't work after removing the spacers i would consider sending it back!

 

Removed the spacers and replaced the cheapo UCAs with Total Chaos UCAs. Much much better now. Rides nicer, plusher, and takes bumps/curbs much smoother now, which makes sense with the preload gone. Of course, now the tires rub the back of the wheel wells when near lock. LOL. Pulled the front mud flaps off and that takes care of most of it.

 

It's never ending with these vehicles huh? lol One thing leads to another and before you realize it you are doing something entirely different.

Speaking of which...since you already spent coin on the UCAs...bite the big bullet and get custom coilovers! I know I'm sounding like a broken record but the difference is so dramatic...especially with UCAs.

Glad to hear the truck is riding better again.

 

LOL man. So, fun times. Trimmed the plastic and the rubbing while turning went away as expected. Went out for a brisk drive in the desert yesterday and while sideways over some rather uneven terrain, discovered that my tires are able to come in contact with the body/chassi behind the fenders. So, that's fun. Other than that, it did very well.