3 inch lift check list

Hi everyone!
I'm planing to lift my 2021 tacoma OR short bed (about 3inches). First time lifting a truck. What do i need to lift it?

What I have so far and from my knowledge of what I need is...

-front and rear shocks (I bought kings 2.5 adjustable reservoirs)
-UCA (camburg 1.25 uniball)
- leaf springs (not sure if I want to do ADL or a stage 2 leaf springs)

Is that all I need to lift my truck?
Thanks

 

hey man...Welcome aboard

 

Leaf* springs

You will also want to replace your front diff needle bearing with the ECGS bushing. https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

 

Thats the basics so not much else needed until you start tuning more or getting fancy

 

Beer!

 

Sounds good, but don’t be surprised if you end up with 2”’. There’s only about 3” of down travel on a 3rd gen. A decently designed installed kit will not leave you with zero. Also my Kings were factory preload adjusted to give about 1”.

 

Tools? Torque wrench. Saws-all, I cut the UCA bolts rather than bend sheet metal. 6 ton jack stands (3 ton are too short). 3 ton floor jack.

 

I would cut them if I had to do it again. Even after bending the sheet metal I ended up grinding off part of the flange on the bolt end.

 

I forgot I should've mention about it. I was watching some videos on YouTube. I'm not sure, but in some videos they put a washer blocks? Under the sway bar???. Do I need that? Is it important? I also saw a video of someone who added a spacer block on the drive shaft where the U joints are?

 

My King shock based kit from @HeadStrong Off-Road came with a sway bar relocation kit and a bearing spacer. It did not come with leaf spring shims. I’ve had zero issues

 

I haven't check mines. Thankyou

 

I have a vague memory that the sway bar spacers come from king and install in the same location as the remote reservoir bracket.

 

I also did 2.5 kings (ext) with an Icon leaf kit at stage 2. Be prepared for less than 3" of lift in front. I have a winch and went with the standard 600lb springs and with the preload set from the factory it was closer to 1". Don't give up hope, just spin up the preload for the height you want. Be aware there are tradeoffs for adding height this way.

Probably goes without saying but you want power tools. Specifically, an impact wrench to get those leaf bolts out. I broke sockets and my spirit trying to get those stupid leaf spring bolts broken loose by hand. Borrowed the neighbors impact wrench and had them off in 30 seconds. I now own the proper tools (for really making lugnuts tight!). Speaking of horrible things, those UCA bolts are real dicks. Be patient and enlist a second set of hands if you decide not to cut them out. It can be done.

I haven't done my needle bearing yet and didn't need shims for the rear axle. So far no vibes, no shudders. Based on what you hear around here, those issues are a matter of luck not product selection or skill.

 

My Kings have external reservoir mounts which also serve as sway bare relocates.

 

Check the bolt sizes of all new parts before installing.

I had to walk to Ace hardware today to buy a 7/8" deep socket after realizing I didn't have one mid U-bolt install.


It was a nice day for a walk though.