Doetsch Upper Control Arm and Coil Spring lift kit install

I personally found dropping tire pressure to about 30-32 psi did a bit, so the tires aren't so inflated that they have a little more side wall flex to them.
Can't say which shocks will work better as I currently have fox 10 inch travel shocks with resievors and need to weld a brace higher on the frame to allow for more travel.
If you haven't gone up in tire size yet the stock light weight tires are just going to remain for a bouncy ride, the day I put bigger tires on it helped with the rear end weight since it's spring under axle and counts as "sprung weight"
The biggest game changer for front shocks was using shocks off a Suzuki samurai. I pressed/hammered out some cross pins from some fabtech shocks I had, and it helped with a minor travel and making it ride more comfortably.

 

more info on the 10 inch shocks? and whats up with the exhaust i see up there? Looking good man, how have u enjoyed the truck after lifting??

 

the kyb shocks u posted are also on Amazon for 30 a piece, u wont have to modify them like your last set. If u ever replace in the future lol

 

My rear shocks are Fox smooth body 10 inch shocks with remote reservoirs and lsc adjusters.
Part #980-06-032
26.1" extended
16.1" compressed
10" travel

The shocks themselves are too long at ride height but they provide full dampening at full rear droop. sadly the complete travel of the shock is limited to the travel of the rear suspension and never comes close to to full extension.
As far as ride goes the valving is also super stiff, I have it on the softest setting and it's perfect combined with weight of the steel wheels and tires.
Personally would like to change the mounting location in order to get full use of the shocks as my intension was to have something serviceable.

Now on to front shocks.

Kyb does make shocks for our 5-lugs, however if you had purchased the doetsch kit it came with longer shocks.
I forget the exact dimensions, but the I personally found the valving in them to be too stiff and wanted something after market that I could go to any parts store and order.
The kit adds lift to the suspension(and loads of ground clearance) but realistically doesn't do anything for travel.

It actually takes away travel because the coil spring isn't able to compress and fully extend.
Using a stock shock that is shorter actually ends up sort of being a limit strap, and handicaps the suspension further. It almost makes it seem like your stuck with those shocks that come with the kit to get the full travel(what's left of it anyway) of the suspension.

I did a bunch of research trying to find something close to the dimensions of the doetsch shocks and the problem I ran into was that I could find the correct lengths and mounting options but the body was too big in diameter to physically fit through the lower control arm.
Another thing I kept in mind was weight rating or pretty much 'valving' and how i could probably use a shock from a chevy but it'd be to stiff from the get go because of the weight it was intended for.

Hence using some old mounting cross pins and a regular eyelet/stem shock. A Suzuki Samurai has a pretty close curb weight to that of the 5-lug and for the heavier wheel/tire combo the shocks are pretty good at providing better ride quality.

For reference a stock kyb shock

$39 KYB 343209 Excel-G Gas Shock, Black , Silver

KYB 343209 (excel-g)
14.25" extended
9.65" compressed
4.61" travel

Suzuki samurai shock in kyb(only brand that'll fit through the lower control arm)
KYB KG4616 (Gas-a-just)
15.35" extended
9.84" compressed
5.51" travel

the difference is minimal but makes it so the shock is not at full extension before the suspension has fully extended.



Also i have a custom stainless steel exhaust with a side exit that goes over the frame and behind the body panel that dumps in front of the back tire.

 

@ClaymanDan, i have a 2000 5 lug. just put bigger tires on it but want to lift the front end a couple inches. Also needs to replace the blown out shocks and saggy front springs.. I see you have a Doetch lift kit or something up front? Do you know if they still offer this kit anymore? i went on their website and cant seem to find anything about it.. if you would be able to send a link or give any info on it thatd be great! im trying to refrain from cutting everything off and rebuilding like i did my last truck. "the snowball effect" gets real lol. Thanks in advance!!

 

@Alex951 I believe Doetsch discontinued the kit a few years ago. I don't remember if someone on a different thread confirmed that by calling about it. Beside that, this lift is paired with the fabtech spindles.

After being on this setup for a few years, I would check your balljoints here and there and replace as necessary. So far I've only replaced my ball joints once, mostly as a preventative maintenance.

I don't wheel my taco anymore since getting a 4wd 4runner. But I've kept the lift purely because I like the stance of a lifted mini truck.

The other issue you may run in to is, alignment. Just the way the suspension is set up on this truck the upper control arm using shims to adjust camber and some toe, just keep an eye on those shims, the tend to fall out because of bigger tires exerting more force on the suspension.

If you're looking for cheaper alternatives, I don't know if you'll find any. But if you're bone stock I'd recommend the spindles and then going from there, no cutting required, but definitely would recommend just some kyb or bilstein shocks for the best ride feel. Hope this helps

 

@ClaymanDan, thanks for the response. Dangit that sucks they discontinued it. I would do the fabtech spindle but they require a maximum back space of 3.75" inches, which means you can’t use the factory wheels. And unfortunately I just spent a lot of time refurbishing a set of 2nd gen pickup wheels and making my own wheel adapters to fit them on my truck.. lol
Do you have any idea how the coil spring spacers feel while driving? Is it pretty stiff?

 

Well, in case anybody has any interest. I've been on the hunt for any sort of suspension lift kit for these trucks and haven't had any luck as of lately. Until today, I called Doetsch to see if they had any info, their kit is discontinued. But they referred me to Chassis Tech in Arizona. Hopped on their website and what do you know, they have upper arms control arms/ Lower control arms, spindles, spacers, shocks, etc... they are a little pricey, but it all looks like the right stuff. Sort of a long lead time on their fabricated items (8 weeks) but in my eyes I would prefer a suspension lift over some coil spring spacers. I recently purchased a spacer lift for the front end and i will be installing it when it comes in the mail. But I just can't get it off my brain that I'll be inviting some unwanted angles and stress to the already not so stout ball joints on this truck. And since I've spent so much time to repaint and make my own wheel adapters to run 2nd gen factory wheels, I won't be able to run a standard spindle lift. My only options are coil spring lift and upper control arm. Thankfully Chassis tech offers these items or ide be building them myself... lol. The problem I'm having is the tire is hitting the 12-o clock position on the fender lip and bowing it out. I'm struggling not building long travel and going that route, but this is supposed to be a cheap run commuter. Anyways check out their website if you're interested. They also have great customer service and will give you part numbers and references for the parts you need. Ill post another picture of the truck when I get the spacers on and my thoughts of what I'll do after.