Selecting a mild lift (TRD Baja TX Pro + Icon AAL)

Ah shit i think that's what I got. Toytec sells them..

http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/TP14--Front-Top-Plate-Spacer-One-14-thick-spacer_p_351.html

But can you just use the same spacer in the strut rather than on top? In the strut means between the spring and the top plate right?

 

Is this spring or top plate?

 

I'm not sure if it would fit in the strut or not. The spacer would go at the bottom, around the shock body, between the spring seat and the spring.

However. The Baja kit does use shorter front bump stops for extended up travel. One workaround may be to just use the full size OEM bumpstops from your offroad to compensate, rather than switching to the short bump stops.

 

That is a top plate.

 

Thanks. I guess I'm gonna leave them out. Do you know who sells the other kind?

 

Hmm. I thought headstrong did, but it looks like they actually bundle a 1/4" top plate spacer with the 6112s. OME makes a spring spacer (headstrong sells) but I do not know if it would be compatible. I'd suggest running the top plates you have and leaving in the larger non-Baja OEM bump stops.

 

I was curious, has anyone used the Baja kit on a DCLB? I realize the kit was designed for the short box and wanted to know if the extra wheel base and weight would effect anything.

 

Since the only difference of the LB is the longer bed and slightly more weight at the rear and the rear springs for the Baja are the exact same 3+1s that come on the other trucks, just different rear shocks, it would not affect anything. I haven't seen anyone run the Baja kit on a LB but I'm sure some have done the non-TRD Bilstien equivalent.

 

That is good to know. One more question, is there enough room in the front to put a tire one size up from yours? Was the 265-70-17 the largest tire you could fit with clearance to the upper control arm and wheel well? I'm looking for about a .25" to .300" more on the radius. Judging from the pictures I'd say it would be close but doable. However with the generous backspacing of that TRD wheel, I suspect to pull that off I'd need an aftermarket tubular upper control arm for clearance.

 

Typically 265/75R16 or 265/70R17 is the largest tire recommended without rubbing. Larger tires usually contact points in the wheel well when turned to lock and cycling the suspension. However, if you wanted to go just slightly larger, rather than going with heavy wider 275s, I would look at going with 255/75/R17s, they are about the same diameter and available in C-load in the KO2s and are actually cheaper than the 265s. I think the slightly narrower profile would allow them to work, without paying the weight performance penalty of the usually D or E load 275s. Something I may look at doing down the road. Note that you will likely hit your flaps (if you still have them on your truck, unless you went to flexible low profile flaps like the RokBlokz flaps.

 

Good point. I was planning on a set of Winterforce LTs which are the only winter tire in the 255/75 size. Looking on the tire rack website there is only two pounds difference between a 265-70 and a 255-75-17 on a BFG KO2. More to the point, I think to properly fit a 32" tire I think you need 2" or more of lift which you had mentioned at the beginning with the additional 1/4" spacer. I would go with full Dakar springs given the extra weight of the LB.

My issues will be finding rims with the right backset and caliper clearance. I like the backset spacing off the FJ rims, whether they clear is another story. I want to try out the larger 4th gen 4runner rotors and calipers that craigFLA had tried. I am shooting for the fit Oz-t has with the OME lift but would rather use as many Toyota parts as I can going the Baja route. 2-2.25" front and back is all I need. I suspect I'm going to have some trial and error with rim styles and what works most likely will not be pleasing ascetically. This will be an ice fishing truck so it doesn't have to be pretty, just functional.

 

You might look at the 17x7 TRD Pro SEMA 4runner wheels. I forget what the offset is off-hand, but it provides a stance almost identical to the forged rock warrior wheels I have, on a wheel that is 0.5" narrower. They are also relatively light at 25lbs and reasonably priced. To much BS and you will run into rubbing issues in the wheel well, so it is about striking the right balance.

 

So I ended up taking the overloads off and not using the spacers for now. I thought it would defeat the point of having extra travel on the shocks if I restrict them with the bump stops (actually I don't know if that statement is true..). Anyways I only have a couple of shitty before and after pics but I'll post them anyways. I have to say the operation was easy, I got it done in a couple of evenings. First impression is good, I only drove it 20 miles or so to get an alignment and back so can't say much. Feels a bit stiff and fun and happy with the small lift. Seems like there's a lot of clearance under there, more than a lot of other lifted trucks I see around here. I had major squeaking coming from the driver side leaves even though I kind of blew air on them and sprayed that liquid film while I had them spread out. I pressure washed them good and the squeaking is gone.. I guess tires will be next once these wear out. Thanks for all the help and looking forward to driving a bit more

 

Running top plate spacers does not reduce travel. Running coil spacers does reduce travel. The top plate spacers can cause your bump stops to not make contact before bottoming out the shock, however I think using the higher stock bump stops instead of the low profile Baja stops with the spacers would pair nicely, and not cause you any lost travel. Would have to measure to be certain. If you wanted to go that route in the future.

Likely looks like a lot more clearance that other lifted trucks because you haven't tried to stuff a tire too large for your lift in there. 265/75R16s will fit nicely.

 

Quick question,
If I have a baja I already have everything except the Icon rear AAL correct? I'm planning on getting the Icon AAL and leaving the overlaod on as I do tow a small camper a few times a year. Do I need anything, or do you recommend anything else for the suspension?

 

Correct, you have everything including the rear brake line drop brackets to allow for extended travel. Depending on the weight of your camper, you might consider leaving the overloads on. If I recall correctly, Icon states that removing the overload decreases rear load carrying capacity by 10%. I'd look at the tongue weight of your trailer to determine. If you left them in you have a 1.75" front lift, and would have a 2" rear lift giving you close to factory rake of the non-Baja/Pro trucks. I haven't towed with mine, but I have loaded the bed with many hundreds of pounds of varies items, and the progressive AAL with overloads removed handled it better than stock.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info!

If i wanted more lift like a total of 2 or 2.50" do you have an recommendations or should I just leave it? I do worry about causing excess stress on other components over the long term.

 

If you wanted a little more with the Baja/Pro setup, I would look at adding the rear AAL with overloads for 2" rear, and adding a 1/4" top plate spacers up front for 1/2" lift over Baja stock in front, aka 2 1/4" over standard 4x4 Tacoma. If using the top plate spacer, I would replace the short front Baja bump stops with the longer standard size bump stops as you will have changed the bottom out point on the shock relative to the bump stop. Alternatively you could add 1/4" washers under the Baja stop if there is enough thread length. Any higher and you start to look at needing new UCAs and would likely be better suited with different suspension components than those from TRD.

 

Thanks guys. I corrected my shock and reservoir orientation and put the block spacer in for the brake lines. I also used the brake line clamp that came with the kit to replace the existing clamp that attaches to the rear axle near the diff. It's slightly longer to help with the lift the block spacer provides.

 

I'm a bit confused if the Baja has a 1.75 lift in the front and I add a 1/4" top plat spacer wouldn't that only give me 1/4'' lift over Baja stock, AKA 2'' not 2 1/4''?