LCA Swap out

I have a 2nd gen 4wd. I just spent all weekend installing my icon 2.5’s. RXT leafs and such.
I ordered moog lca’s and an extra cam bolt kit, and I’m wondering if I should tackle the job or if I should leave it to a shop? I’m confident with my ability but I’m just nervous about how my alignment is going to end up.
Let me know if you guys think if I should stop whining and just go for it.

 

you can do it

welcome to the forum!

 

A 2011 w original LCA, yea the alignment cams are probably froze. Suggest getting a carbide tipped sawzall blade to cut all of it out.

 

I picked up a blade and a pair of cam bolts. I was hoping I could re use the bolts but I’m starting to realize that may not happen.

I guess what I’m getting at is how fucked am I on alignment once I re install? Will I be completely out of whack? I noticed there aren’t any alignment marks on the after market cams.
Just trying to get the most info possible before I rip these out. Thanks

 

Heat. Penetrant.

mark and replicate the cam tab positions
Don’t bend the cam tabs

you can jury rig set the toe to 0 when you’re done so the truck can limp to an alignment shop on its own power without a tow truck, by making a square.

make a square around the truck with string and jackstands. Measure it evenly to each center hub cap.
Then measure if the toe is out and adjust it to 0. Steering locked. Tires on top of grease sandwich linoleum or something so they can swivel.



toe is important. If it’s toed super in or out then you’re scrubbing the tire.

I did mine around 140k without issue. Buddy on the other hand with an older model, more miles, more life spent in snow/salt who didn’t do the prep steps, had it siezed and fought like hell with extra tools like sawzall.

I’ve heard OEM cam bolt hardware is better tolerance fit than aftermarket. But they cost more to replace.
Another tip in the future. The stock cam tabs suck and are easy to bend during an alignment if not done carefully, off roading, slight impact, etc
It’s a good idea in general to reinforce them before they go bad. Many options
-Marlin Crawler reinforcements
-TC Cam Tab Gussets
Maybe more
And some of these products can be combined with each other for more strength
Welding required

it’s always weird to see a “built” Tacoma with $5k+ suspension that gets “driven hard” sitting on stock cam tabs without even a $100 reinforcement on what is a well known weak point
I believe dealer techs for this very reason jack up the front when adjusting to take tension off them

you don’t wanna know how much more it costs to repair after the fact if they do get bent (cheap alignment shops can even mess them up) versus preventative reinforcement beforehand while they’re still in good shape to keep it that way.

I wonder if it’s worth doing first and what the install requires. Because what if a welder can put on reinforcements cheap. Peace of mind. And that’s more heat (welding) put into that area to 1. Help loosen anything for you to swap LCA’s and 2.doesn’t matter if they melt the old LCA bushing, you’re replacing them anyway so this could actually be the perfect time