TRD Pro, SR5 Trail and TRD lift kit (2"/1") have earlier needle bearing failure?

Like the title says, since Toyota is cranking out more trucks with 1" to 2" higher ride heights in front, are owners experiencing more failures along with this? I just ordered some Bilsteins and plan on raising the front, likely just the 0.65 or 1.1" position and trying to determine if ECGS is needed since not even the factory lifted trucks have it. I'll probably leave the rear stock, or add a 1/2" block with shim. Not sure which block or shim yet.

 

FWIW, running 2” lift in the front with stock needle bearing for 2 years now. No issues.

 

For sure. Many many thousands of lifted 3rd gens out there and the vast majority without ECGS bushings. Probably most without issue and a small portion with vibes that the owner is too clueless to notice.

 

It's a roll of the dice if you will get vibes. It's worth just doing when you do the lift since you are already doing 3/4 of the labor.

 

I'm coming up to 1 year since my suspension lift and no issues, done lots of trails too now.

 

My 2020 truck is bone stock except for tires, but for some odd reason it does appear slightly higher than many similar factory stock tacoma's. So far no needle bearing failure.

 

its a roll of the dice. im 1 3/4” lifted in front and had a grinding vibration. if so drive at moderate speed till you feel vibration then switch on 4wd. if grinding vibration goes away in 4wd its the driver side needle bearings. i put in ECGS bushing and all is smooth. every truck seems to be different and im 2nd gen 2015

 

I’ll probably put the ECGS in but it’s an unfortunate waste of time to have to do it for just a measly 0.65” - 1.1” lift. Is what it is though. I just need to knock it out.

Going forward Toyota should get their shit together. Wonder if the 4th gen will still have this garbage along with the rear axle vibes that are so common.

 

I am wondering this also. If the TRD Pro has a factory 1.5" lift, does it also get the needle bearing failure? If not then why would a 1.5" lift cause it on another model?

 

I ran mine with a 2.5 inch lift for about a year and a half and then I start getting the humming. Just changed out... I say roll the dice until it gives

You probably don't need a shim, I have 2 inches on my rear and it's fine

 

I have seen the bearing fail on stock trucks and lifted trucks. It's a poor design regardless of the lift. I tore a cv boot so I just swapped it while I was in there for piece of mind. Had minor vibes after a year at 2.25 lift. Buttery smooth still coming up on a year with the bushing installed.

 

I'm lifted 2" on the front and 1.5 rear since Feb. I can't tell if I have the vibrations/humming from a bad needle bearing or not because my mud tires are humming and vibrating big time ¯\_(ツ)_/¯