First time lifting a truck. Advice/tips

I might cross my fingers and hope there are no vibrations! Planning to do the install in the midst of archery elk season too so time is valuable!

 

I understand that, time is hard to find sometimes.
Run it and see what happens. You may never have an issue.

 

Thanks! Been watching a lot of videos on YT videos on how to do it.

 

Inserting them in the opposite way a little trick. (Which makes since) just trying to understand it before I willy nilly go and do it lol

 

The problem with the factory position of the bolt is that it hits inside the fender wall before you can pull it out fully. So, if it has trouble coming out that way it'll have trouble going back in that way. It'll make sense when you go to remove it. haha

 

FWIW I went close to 60k miles before having any vibrations and having to the ECGS bushing.

 

Good luck. Sounds like you are reading up and getting prepared. Include pics.

 

It's gonna feel real good doing it yourself! I was pretty close taking mine to the shop ($750).... F DAT

Only hard part for me was swapping my leaf springs. Those things are heavy HAHAHAHA

 

Thanks will try to do pictures!

 

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I hope mine makes it that far before ecgs! I mean if it wasn't for hunting season I'd totally do it, but that's my only vehicle that can talk me up to the woods.

 

Just did a similar lift package over the Labor Day weekend. I was able to do the fronts by myself but needed help for the rear leaf springs.
I don't know how old or rusty your truck is or if it has all original components, but the two things that gave me the most trouble were the sway bar end links and the top nuts on the rear shocks. Have an angle grinder with a cutting wheel ready!!
The UCA bolts weren't that bad, even by myself. Just take your time and don't be scared to bend the sheet metal.

 

How long did it take you to do the fronts?

 

@Twizted

 

No experience, it's going to take you 8 to 12 hours to put this in by yourself. It can be done in 6 or less if you have experience and a friend.

 

I've got a lift kit sitting here, waiting to be installed. What was it about the leaf packs that required help? The weight and size? My alcan's weigh 56lbs each, and I want to think I can do it myself, but that's also why I'm asking.

 

In my experience there was a lot of forcing involved to get the bolt holes to line up. So I had one guy giving leverage and another sliding the bolts in.

 

This right here is very good advice. My previous alignment shop told me there's nothing they can do to get the alignment right even though the ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS rep specifically gave me alignment specs for them to use. They also refused to use ICON's recommend alignment specs and told me they only align to stock specs (TOYOTA OEM ALIGNMENT SPECS).

I found another shop to do the alignment using the specs ICON gave me and everything worked out perfect just as I was told it would!

Contact the shop/site you purchased the suspension kit from and ask them for alignment recommendations (maxing out caster, other recommended alignment angles, etc.). This will save you the headache I went through trying to get the alignment right.

 

Pay attention to the orientation of the bolts going into the hangers when you do the leaf springs. I put mine in the wrong way and have a small gouge in a hanger. Also trim the second leaf in the leaf pack, they have been known to interfere with the shackles. I have a 2nd gen with the hd dakar pack and wished I would have known when I was installing.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ngs-making-contact-with-shackle.554099/page-2

 

Second the sway bar end links. You need to use a hex key in the end of the bolt to keep it from spinning while you back the nut off. Problem is the hex pattern on mine were rusted out so the link was trashed. I ended up putting new ones on. Might be worth getting new ones if you’re keeping the sway bar. Also, if the trucks been around salt it’s whole life having extra hardware on hand for shock bolts, etc will save you some aggravation and make the decision to cut off old rusty hardware easier. Might as well use good hardware with a whole new suspension than old rusty shit

 

Thanks for all the advice/tips! Parts coming in the next couple of days here!