How would I be able to tell if the previous owner did the ECGS bushing

Thinking about lifting my truck to 2.5” over stock in the front. I’m at 1.5” right now with no vibrations. When I bought the truck it was a trade in and the previous owner had some tow controls installed upfront and 5100s set at 0. Wondering how likely it is that he or she did the ecgs bushing or not. I bought the truck with 110k on It

 

Pretty unlikely it has been changed with that setup.....stock UCAs?

 

Are coil springs stock?
If they NOT stock springs, it’s not usually advised to run the 5100 on anything but “0” setting.

As for the Bushing?
I don’t know of a way to tell besides pulling the axle?

 

Yes on stock springs and UCAs. I’m betting it hasn’t been changed but there’s some easy way to tell I wanted to see before I order the parts

 

Since you are planning to lift it to +2.5" I would just plan on doing it. Replace the seal and service/oil change.

 

I’ve done brake pads, leaf springs, and rear shocks before, will replacing the bushing be too difficult or nah?

 

If you can manage to get the CV out, you pretty much have it made.
I personally haven’t done one, but it looks pretty straight forward.
Get the bearing puller, or borrow it, and it should be fairly easy.

Most guys have problems with Removing or Installing the CV.

 

I’m Prbly gunna go for it because I wanna know how to replace CVs anyway and worse case scenario I buy someone beer to come help me

 

The axle nut installation requires 172 ft lb. 35mm socket. Suggest to watch several installation videos (YouTube).

 

Here is DIY
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cv-axle-replacement-express-method.266309/page-3#post-8034278

Some guys claim to have gotten by with just removing the 2 bolts at the bottom ball joint.
I personally would do it the way in the DIY, you have more room.

 

Watch the videos & its pretty straight forward. When you order the bushing go ahead & order the seal as well. @ 100k, might as well replace it while the axle is out.

 

I suppose if you want to go all out, there is a seal on the back of the spindle and on the CV.
You could replace those as well, your right there at them. And it wouldn’t be any easier any other time.
I replaced mine when I did the wheel bearings.

Actually, I didn’t replace the one on the CV, as I didn’t have the right one.
And I didn’t have the time or resources to get one. I had to get my truck done QUICK.

 

I had a zip tie break on me once installing coilovers and UCA's, those 2 LBJ bolts out, everything apart, tie rods off, and if I remember right the half shaft pulled right out of the diff. One of my first lift installs and I about shat me pants, hahahaha.

Point is I think its definitely possible to get out that way but, asyou said, probably not a great idea

 

Nah I have never don’t any front end work before but I’ve turned hella wrenches and I did the ECGS bushing, which included pulling my CV and I installed the whole lift kit and UCAs, and front bearings in one weekend. There’s a dude on YouTube I like called KFlo he has a ton of Tacoma videos including the bearing I follow most of his because he has a nice voice and feels like a normal dude doing normal stuff haha just get all the right tools and follow all the videos. I usually watch 27.398 videos before I attempt anything. Toyota makes everything pretty easy to pull apart. The CV I took a pry bar and it popped out in like 2-4 whacks and went back the same. Pulling the needle bearing was stressful because I popped so loud when it broke free and then came right out. I didn’t replace my seal as I only had 70k on it and I tapped the clamshell in with a socket that fit perfectly