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Don't know Sh!t about 6" lifts

Discussion in 'New Members' started by HalfJap, May 2, 2016.

  1. May 2, 2016 at 11:22 PM
    #1
    HalfJap

    HalfJap [OP] Active Member

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    So I'm attempting to download s picture from my iPhone.
    Showing the second shock that I don't understand. The boot is corroded at top. When shock is working it sticks then releases. Creating a pop!
    Any information of what I need to purchase to fix.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2016
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  2. May 3, 2016 at 3:07 AM
    #2
    Over da Hill

    Over da Hill "Roads...where we're going we don't need roads"

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    Supercharger, Icon stage 3 suspension, Pelfreybilt Armor, All-Pro Sliders & Leaf Pack, 17 inch Black Rhino Sidewinder wheels, 33 inch Toyo tires, Rigid Lighting, SPod,
    Welcome! Wish you luck to get 'er fixed!
     
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  3. May 18, 2016 at 8:53 PM
    #3
    HalfJap

    HalfJap [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for the positive word, Over da Hill!
    Figured out what this lift is. Thanks Tacoma World. Installed the strut mod to get me through until new steering knuckles arrive Friday. Need to order Uca's. When I get them going to fix that Trailmaster lift the correct way!
    Shitty there are still gen1's being sold with that Mcphearson strut crap. Those guys that purchase tacomas with Trailmaster drop bracket lift are into mega research, self education and hours of difficult labor.
    Unless they have the $ to pay a suspension shop to do the labor for them..
     
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  4. May 18, 2016 at 8:56 PM
    #4
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    I don't have any real answers without seeing it but that whole spindle setup looks sketchy as fuck...
     
  5. May 18, 2016 at 8:58 PM
    #5
    inesshell

    inesshell blah blah blah

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    this is the first i have seen that kind of setup
     
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  6. May 18, 2016 at 9:03 PM
    #6
    HalfJap

    HalfJap [OP] Active Member

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    It is an old Trailmaster drop bracket 6" lift.
    That stupid outer strut is a Mcphearson strut set up (McPherson drunk engineer)!
    Poor suckers that but a truck with the old Trailmaster lift will be plagued with blown outer struts! Until they get new steering knuckles and Uca's.
     
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  7. May 18, 2016 at 9:04 PM
    #7
    At The Helm

    At The Helm ATH Fab Vendor

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    Was that already on there when you bought the truck?

    As @4WD said that setup looks super sketchy.
    They delete the upper control arm and use some kind of second shock? How does it pivot through the suspension cycle?
     
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  8. May 18, 2016 at 9:07 PM
    #8
    digitaLbraVo

    digitaLbraVo Derka Derka

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    Covered in stickers and chrome stick-ons for extra horse torques and foot powers. Icon sticker gets me tons of travel, dozens of milimeters.
    I got nothing. I'm subbing to watch this awful thing get cut off.
     
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  9. May 18, 2016 at 9:09 PM
    #9
    HalfJap

    HalfJap [OP] Active Member

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    It is real stiff. That stupid outer strut doesn't really do much. Blows out and needs replacement that isn't available. Have to mod replacement with Gabriel strut.
    And that is not easy. Took me 4 hours to do one side. 2 hours just to get old strut out of tube. 1 hour to get new strut into tube.
    There is no more popping sounds no more.
     
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  10. May 26, 2017 at 11:47 AM
    #10
    Doubl3aron

    Doubl3aron Member

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    1998 Toyota Tacoma ifs 4" trailmaster suspension ext cab 4x4 3.4L
    4" trailmaster suspension lift
    How did you do this? Do you have pictures? Did you replace the upper mounts??
     
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  11. May 28, 2017 at 11:19 PM
    #11
    HalfJap

    HalfJap [OP] Active Member

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    1. Have you read anything about Gabriel strut insert mod for the Trailmaster lift?
      I'm going to try it. Ordered the strut inserts today. Hopefully will buy me some time to save $ for the Fabtech replacement lift kit.
      The Gabriel strut inserts supposedly will slide into Trailmaster strut tube. Some of the top of the strut body, 1/4", needs turned down to smaller outside diameter. Slide it into tube and bolt strut back on.
      The inserts are for a 91 VW Rabbit.

    2. HalfJap, May 8, 2016 Edit Report
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    myCheckPost('message-2417900');
    1. [​IMG]
      Grizz_bear Member
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      Seth
      Lebanon Oregon
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      9 inch lift on nitrogen charged shocks and alcan springs. Halogen headlights . Double roll bar
      I havent heard of it but ill look more into it. Where can i find the parts?

      Grizz_bear, May 8, 2016 Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      Tacoma world, search "Trailmaster Gabriel" there are a bomber of posts discussing this mod.
      Sorry I don't know how to copy and paste certain links within website forums.

      I just ordered the Gabriel struts online from Autoanything. $50.00.
      Didn't really search for best priced ones

      HalfJap, May 8, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      [​IMG] This is a different topic. Part of another question you had.
      This is what I got from Fabtech when I Emailed them, how do I order separate parts, not a kit.
      Included what part I need.

      HalfJap, May 8, 2016 Edit Report
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      Grizz_bear Member
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      Seth
      Lebanon Oregon
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      9 inch lift on nitrogen charged shocks and alcan springs. Halogen headlights . Double roll bar
      Thank you so much. You are seriously a life saver. Theres nothing i hate more than to see my truck sit.

      Grizz_bear, May 8, 2016 Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      So ya, I just called Rocky Mountain Suspension. Ordered parts#FTS70007ds and FTS70007ps.
      Drive and pass sides 6" lift steering knuckles.
      Shipped to my door $1,173.33.
      Hope those knuckles and UCA's fix this McPherson strut problem.

      HalfJap, May 9, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      I'm glad I purchased the Gabriel struts.
      My order through Rocky Mountain Suspension (they said it would ship from Fabtech in California) is on back order.
      I drive my Taco in town, a small town. Hopefully the strut mod will get me through until the knuckles arrive.

      HalfJap, May 11, 2016 Edit Report
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      Grizz_bear Member
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      9 inch lift on nitrogen charged shocks and alcan springs. Halogen headlights . Double roll bar
      What all do I have to do to mke the gabriel struts fit? Or do they just slide right in

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      HalfJap Active Member
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      Supposedly they will slide right in.
      I believe the top of the main body 1/4" needs to be turned or dremeled down OD to put cap back on.

      I will post pics when I do it. Won't have the struts until 5/15/16.

      HalfJap, May 11, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      [​IMG] This is what I have so far. It was a B*tch getting the brass ring out of top of tube needed removed to remove old strut. Also was a C*nt getting old strut out.
      FedEx delivered my Gabriel struts late. Will finish project tomorrow. With more pics.
      Notice the Gabriel strut is a little shorter. Have to remove top mount and (invert) it, mount it under rather than over strut tower. [​IMG]

      HalfJap, May 16, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      [​IMG]Invert that top bushing plate, has 3 bolts holding it on top of tower.
      [​IMG] One side finished. Notice that bushing plate is on bottom of tower now. That is supposed to make up 1/2" of shorter strut.
      Was a bitch getting new strut into tube, had to beat it in.
      [​IMG]Left to right, Gabriel strut with shaft end near threads ground down OD about 3/8" length so the threads will be long enough to put nut on when installed into top bushing.
      New Gabriel strut.
      Old (I think Trailmaster) strut.

      HalfJap, May 17, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      Used a Dremmel tool to grind down shaft end near threads.
      Not perfect but, supposedly this is just a short time fix. The POS Trailmaster lift/Mcphearson strut is a gamble on how long until strut blows out again.

      HalfJap, May 17, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      Not sure if this mod is worth the $ and effort.
      Pretty sure I have blown 1 of the struts while installing. Trying to beat that thing into tube. Suddenly had a slight hissing sound for a second.
      Haven't driven truck yet.

      HalfJap, May 17, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      So drove it. There is no noise anymore! No leaking fluid from struts. Feels stiffer.
      I may have not ground a long enough part on thread end of strut. Looks like the upper and under washers are sandwiching the metal sleeve inside the rubber bushing.
      Oh well. Hope those Fabtech steering knuckles on back order ship soon! When they ship going to order Total Chaos UCA's. Eliminate that stupid Mcphearson strut!
      Good luck to you!

      HalfJap, May 17, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      How is your Taco?
      I'm at about 2 weeks on strut mod still good. Haven't blown out yet.
      Still waiting on uca's, and had to order more stuff from Fabtech, bearing seals and an abs plug. Hoping to install everything to get rid of Trailmaster strut in 2 weeks.

      HalfJap, May 29, 2016 Edit Report
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      HalfJap Active Member
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      Dirtdog1234

      HalfJap, May 21, 2017 Edit Report
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      Dirtdog1234 Member
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      Wow! Doesn't look or sound like fun. But, definitely lots of great info on what I might be having to do. What symptoms were you noticing that made you decide to change out the strut?

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      HalfJap Active Member
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      when I purchased the truck 05/2016 the symptoms helped me negotiate $1500.00 off of listing price. I didn't know what I was getting into.
      The symptoms were popping sound coming from front end while accelerating from stop and when braking to stop.
      When I got truck home I had a friend bounce on front bumper while I looked for popping sound.
      The struts were blown and sticking in down position and when they released the pop sound would happen.

      The Fabtech 6" lift steering knuckles and UCA's i posted about is definitely an option to update the front end lift.
      I have all my parts to do it, just haven't done it yet.

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