ATTN All Pro leaf buyers

How much thread was left on the oem u-bolts after reusing them?

 

lolz im embarrased to say but it took me a looooong time 7am-12pm

a little less than half an inch just enough to bolt and tighten up enough.

 

Dont be embarrassed. The first time I replaced my co's it took me 6 hours. Im sure if you were to do your leafs again you could do it in 2 hours. I have air tools so that should help.

 

i feel better now...lolz jk...yeah air tools would prob make it a lot easier then using a ratchet...

 

Don't even trip on it guys !! It ain't a race, far better taking your time doing it right & doing it once, than blowing thru it, only to do it again because you missed something, or somrthing in wrong. (seen alot of guys get the bushings/washers mis-matched, myself included)

 

Hey Johnnie Ill give you a hand also. Please guys install new u joints with your kits. Just for peace of mind. The U-bolts do stretch.

Especially if you wheel with stock rear set up now. Think about it, with a new leafs you r going to want to go faster than u did prior to having them. your truck is only as strong as its weakest link. Ive broken a lot of stuff and its always the toyota stuff. knock on wood.

plus if those break your prob gonna break one side, the truck will pitch and then roll and since no one has a roll cage, that could also be really bad.. so spend another 60 bucks and get them.

just lookin out.

 

Thanks James- I definitely plan on getting new u-bolts. I've been searching around for them and I think I'm going to get them through Wheelers.com. They're $30 plus shipping. There's also another place in Pomona called Off Road Enterprises that sells them for about $10 each. I'd like to install them before Jingle Jam but I doubt that will happen unless I can get them installed next weekend. Of all the tools I have, I don't have a floor jack. It's been on my list to buy but never a priority. I'm definitely going to need one to raise the axle.

BTW, I live in Fontana so maybe if it's not too late when we're done installing we can do a quick run up to Cleghorn which is just up the freeway from me to test out our new leafs.

Post up if you're definitely interested in doing this group install at my house this way we can establish a date and how many people. After we set a date, then the guys that are willing to just show up and help will know if they can make it or not.


Install:

1) Johnnie
2)
3)

Possible Helpers:

1) jdkeller
2) in2nite
3) FixedTRD

 

your always welcome to my floorjack mang. also need some high lift jackstands.

 

I have a steel jack and jackstands.

 

I have two high lift jackstands but one or two more might be helpful.

 

good point, Yikes! u make me not want to drive my truk till i put new u-bolts on. makes me want to get new u-bolts right away prob going to order some soon from wheelers off-road or does anyone know of a place local/low price/pick-up ?????? i know wheelers is selling some for 30$$$

 

I'd just go with Wheelers since they know what they're doing and you know you'll get what you need. They make them in lengths of 6.75", 7.50", and 8.50" ubolts. All are $29.95 plus shipping which is around $11. I'm probably going to order the 8.5" and cut off what I don't need.

I've heard of a lot of guys that reuse the OEM u-bolts and dont have problems so you'll be ok driving around but I'd definitely get the new u-bolts before you wheels. Just make sure you keep an eye on the nuts in case they come loose.

 

Also, if anyone needs to do any other repairs or mods to their truck, feel free to sign up.

 

Yea I ran my stock size for about 500 miles. Just don't offroad. And re tighten after about 50 and every hundred miles. At least you can get the install out of the way. When you swap out the ubolts you don't need a jack or anything. Just unbolt and bolt.

 

Install:

1) Johnnie
2) tacomaville my leafs dont get here til after the 15th per sarah
3)

Possible Helpers:

1) jdkeller
2) in2nite
3) FixedTRD
4) tacomaville[/quote]



i have a leveling kit, with 1" block in rear. can i use those u-bolts or will i have to get longer one's? i have bilsteins that can go upto 1" lift. will i also need to replace those?

 

The reason you need to replace the u-bolts is because the threads stretch out. You might be ok if the nuts are tightened on a different spot on the bolt. I did some measurments and based on others reusing the OEM u-bolts you need about an extra inch of u-bolt to be safe. Since you used 1" blocks, your current bolts are probably long enough. In regards to the shocks, you're going to end up breaking them cause they'll be to short. You'll bottom out and slam them and you won't get the full use of the leafs cause the shocks will limit them. You can get away with them on the street but I wouldn't wheel with them.

You can use these shocks from AP.
Bilstein 5100 05+ Tacoma Rear 0-2.5" Lift$85/EACH8510T-BIL-R

 

cool thanks on ur inputs on the u-bolts guys will def swap them out before i do n e off-roading. def before superstition if i can get the dayz off....n e one here going to the superstition meet?

 

So if I get my 50T baja leaves you guys are going to help me install them, jk.

 

So is there an exact date on the installs?

 

Not yet. Just waiting to see who is going to participate then we'll set up a date.