Iowa Tacomas (Idiots.Out.Wandering.Around)

When you go to do this (can't access @Shellshock video on my work computer) there are a few things you want to make sure to do. This can be done in your driveway or garage very easily with pretty basic tools.

-Disconnect the front sway bar while doing the front the front to allow everything to move easily.
-Mark your lower control arm bolt marks with a reference on the subframe so you can get it close on reinstallation.
-Remove your lower control arm alignment bolts (one at a time) and put some anit-sieze or marine axle/wheel bearing grease on the bolt and washers and re-install. This keeps them free for future alignments as they are known to become seized, especially with our awesome road salt.
-Also add the same anti-seize to the lower strut bolt and other items you are tightening.
-To get the lower control arm to move freely so you have plenty of room to remove/install everything.
-Do one side at a time so you have a reference if you forget where something goes.
-Before lowering the truck back on the ground leave the lower strut bolt and lower control arm alignment bolts HAND TIGHT. Then tighten them once on the ground. This keeps the bushings from binding.
-The rear is pretty straight forward, just make sure to re-torque the U-bolts after a couple days of driving if installing lift blocks or AAL's.

 

Here’s how i did mine - without touching LCA bolts

Put front of truck on jack stands
Remove front tires
Remove skid plate
Remove sway bar
Put jack under LCA
Remove the bolt for brake line
Jack up LCA
Remove top spindle bolt
Slowly lower jack
Remove lower shock bolt
Remove 3 top shock bolts
Remove shock (you may need to pry the LCA arm down slightly to remove or reinstall shock)
Reverse to put it all back together

The rear shocks - Be prepared for the top shock nut to be a pain. Either from rust or just because you cant get to it.
Save yourself the headache and get a nut splitter

Jack up truck
Remove lower shock bolt
Remove upper shock nut (may require persuasion)

Leafs are just a bolt front / rear + U Bolts
Make sure you support the axel so you dont rip off ABS or other things attached

Depending on the age of your truck you may require pb blaster, impact wrench or large breaker bar

Mine wasnt too bad for being 3 years old.

 

And grease the puck out of your leaf spring bushings before you put them back in (red will do). Makes a tough job and much quicker less tough job.

Also with the rear, remove both shocks before you drop the axle. Put the shocks back on last. Otherwise, because of their not straight alignment, it'll twist the axle while you're trying to work on it.

 

Thanks for all the write-ups, but due to personal situations, its not something that I'd be able to install myself unfortunately.

 

Just go to @Shellshock 's house and make him do it

 

Not like I’ve got anything better to do.. plus hes got a 2020 so its not got years of rust making everything difficult

 

Don't be spreading my install secrets like that.

 

If you have access to the Arsenal the Auto Shop can help you get it done. Otherwise, seriously, find a buddy like @Shellshock to help you.

 

Absolutely! Mine was about 4 years old when I installed the 3rd gen suspension and just last summer I installed the 6112/5100's. I found out from my own mistakes of not lubing certain things when I installed the 6112/5100's.

Very good point with that!!! I ended up leaving the U-bolts loose (but tight enough that the centering pin would stay in) on one side while doing the other.

If you were on the western side of Iowa I would be more than willing to help out!!!

 

I mean if you’re willing and bored, just let me know how much you’d want

 

Thanks for the tips @Shellshock I got the Eibach kit & SPC's done today & have appt for alignment next week. The ride is so much better than those Hitachi's!

 

Been doing some reading about KDMax over the weekend. @Shellshock have you tried it out yet or plan on getting in on it as a tuner?

 

I’m not offering it at this time but possibly in the future. I’ve been following it talking with some people that have run it. I’ve got a MT so my experience is going to be much different than someone with an AT

it’s still quite new and being updated. I want to see if any issues crop up and if more changes are made. Otherwise I’ll end up having to update people all the time.

 

Yea sounds like there's some updates to vftuner going on & then maybe some learning woes to go along with it for the new features. Lots of good reviews & I'm definitely liking the idea of having better low end torque plus better gas mileage!

 

It's a miracle for these trucks for sure.

 

I wouldn't say my truck drives horrible after the TSB flash but it could be improved on. I never did get OVT but I'm seriously thinking about buying the vfTuner & playing around with KDMax. There's a few guys around here that would probably want to try it also

 

Just an FYI but if you buy kdmax, that’s not an editable file. You can flash it but that’s all

just making sure you know

 

Right I just meant trying the different files for fuel & tip in. Gonna wait awhile & see how this all progresses

I would love to get rid of that harsh kick down at hwy speeds. Kinda ridiculous

 

Oh for sure. That’s why I got rid of my AT 4 years ago. There’s been a ton of progress over the last year and I’m sure it’s way better these days especially with tuning

 

What's this newfangled KDMax?