Crossmember cutting 4 inch lift “can’t get it inspected”

Inspections generally serve a good purpose. That being said, some states have gone too far IMHO (New England and left coast in particular).

I would absolutely search around for another shop. Some, like the one you went to, are very "by-the-book" and won't do anything to risk losing their license and/or incurring fines which can be in the thousands.

Call around. Be candid, but do not disclose your identity or anything like that. "Hey, I got a super clean Tacoma with a lift. Another shop denied me an inspection sticker because one specific part of the frame was modified with the lift kit. But it was absolutely replaced with an engineered component. Is this something you can help a generous customer with?'

Hint, hint. A $100 bill towards "lunch on me today" can go a long way.

 

Cant make this stuff up. Bribing for an inspection.

 

Many falsehoods and hyperboles here but I'm not going farther off-topic with you. OP's drop bracket crossmembers are stronger than the paper-thin OEM crossmembers. There's a weight penalty yes, but stronger.

 

Agreed. Let me know when you take your Tacoma up the buggy line. Take pics.

 

So YOU were that sanctimonious shop owner prick who denied his inspection tag?

I'm guessing you're also voting for OBD-III real time particle beam on/off ramp exhaust diagnostics to catch the emissions "bad guys".

 

Of course, can't get on the 2025 TW calendar without pics

Be sure to post pics of your $1900 hardcore buggy, based on two pennies on the dollar of a $95k Tacoma build.

 

Depends on your definition of hard off road. Are we talking 4-4+ Moab trails or KOH? The former newer broncos and jeeps seem to do fine.

Which those Moab trails are probably harder than most people will ever do. I’d challenge your comment and say for the majority of the population a jeep or a bronco will get you through most stuff fine.

Hell I’ve done 4+ Moab trails with an icon lift and 285’s.

My truck also drives fine on the street as well. I’d wager better than it did stock.

 

Just weld up the stock crossmember back on and pass inspection, then go and reinstall again.

 

Go easy with the prick calling big carbon buddy. Its only a forum don't get so invested.

 

I don't believe you. I rode and hour in a brand new Rubicon last week on 35's from factory. It was horrible on the road compared to the Tacoma. Wind and tire noise were incredible. Handling was crap. Power? lol no. Mileage? 12 mpg. But, it will do much better than my truck off road, but not buggy better.
As far as MOAB, it sure seems Rory has to go out a fix a lot of Jeeps that break out there.

The truth is, off road, 90% of it is the driver until you get into the tough stuff. Once that happens, you need the driver and the equipment.
People like you seem to talk yourselves into believing you can mod for offroad and still be just as good on road. That simply is not true, unless we are talking "only shocks" or something. Once you add weight, once you add lift, you are worse that stock on the road because something, mpg, ride, stability, etc is going to suffer. It just is.
Also, here is what I am talking about... there are hundreds just like this out there.
For $11K you can now go most anywhere. Tow it to the trail head, have fun, roll it maybe, drive it back and trailer it home. Wanna step up to a LS buggy? Less than $20K all day.

 

People like me. Okay.

Sorry but from the factory is from the factory. So you point is moot. Guess what…a bone stock Jeep is going to make noise as well. Stock truck = factory truck. Regardless what mods come on them.

I had to drive my wife’s Golf into work today. There are a few sections of the commute I monitor as controls for when I made changes. I’m not trying to convince myself of anything, my truck rides better than her Golf. No question. Mine has a bit more sway of course. Her stereo is better though. I guess that’s what happens when you spend 20k on suspension.

What if people like regular hard trails like I mentioned. You don’t need a buggy and trailer. I’ve done pretty much every 4+ trail in Moab as well as the rubicon (granted I bypassed the hardest spots) in a cj7 with a 4” lift, 35’s, and a rear locker (eventually had a front). Want to know how many things I broke? U bolts once came loose due me not torquing them and the steering box ripped off the frame. Like you said, most of road is driver which I why I don’t break stuff.

I don’t watch Matt’s videos but I suspect those broken vehicles are on the much harder trails which I addressed in my other comment.

But hey…I’m just a dude on the internet lying to himself.

 

I think the front diff is in now the same space as the stock crossmember. The workload then goes up significantly - need to remove front driveshaft, front diff, CV axles, and swap the hub bearing assys with those for the PreRunner. Too much to do on a yearly basis.

@Tacomabeast98 if you can't find another shop to pass your truck, then I'd advise getting a PO box in a neighboring state... though read up on the inspection laws there first.

 

The "Ignore" button is amazing!

 

why so uptight ?