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Need help trying to find what lift kit is on my truck ?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Kstone1987, Feb 21, 2019.

?

Sell it or fix it

  1. Sell it

    9 vote(s)
    45.0%
  2. Fix it

    11 vote(s)
    55.0%
  1. Feb 25, 2019 at 6:36 AM
    #41
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6 inch lift 33 in tires
    Ok so everyone takes about getting a strut and mount from VW and then machining it to fit . is there any details or pics on that on how to install the strut ? What about getting rid of that second strut and welding an Upper control arm . please help I'm still scratching my head .
     
  2. Feb 25, 2019 at 6:59 AM
    #42
    Teke

    Teke Soft-Roader :)

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    As far as I understand, on these old trailmaster lifts they require you to cut out the stock cross member which makes going back to stock not achievable without some :welder:... Your best bet is to get rid of that dumpster fire of a lift. Sure you could fix it now but it will cause you a headache later down the road. Find a donor truck or source parts from a junk yard and get back to stock or swap to another 4"-6" lift. I believe you can swap to a Fabtech lift. FabTech spindle P/Ns: FTS70007D, FTS70007P (they run about $280 a pop)
     
  3. Feb 25, 2019 at 8:52 AM
    #43
    2JHilux

    2JHilux Level 8 Tinkerer

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    that "shock" looking thing that broke off looks like it mounts to a bracket where the control arms would normally bolt onto.
    whats stopping you from unbolting the stupid bracket and the stupid broken shock thing, and popping in a factory upper control arm on there, and replacing the "shock" thing with a stock or taller spindle??? you would have to also take that spacer off of the actual shock absorber.. maybe then the upper might reach the spindle.

    you would loose some of the lift and the downtravel, but you might just have a slightly normal suspension afterwards.
    Also.. the rear of the truck is not lifted as much as the front, so it would make sense to lower the front.

    I would say put it all back to stock, but if the stock support was cut out then yeah thats not going to be easy, but might be worth it honestly.
    I would not just throw most stupid parts on it, looks at how rusty all that junk is too, the next thing will break soon and you might not be as lucky if it happens while you are driving around.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2019
  4. Feb 25, 2019 at 2:58 PM
    #44
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6 inch lift 33 in tires
    I hear ya .this couldnt have happened at a better time I happen to be buying a house right and its my only car so I'm really trying to do this on the cheap or under 700 I'm not a mechanic dont really know how to weld I can do basic shit . so if it needs to be welded I have to take it somewhere. Has anyone had luck with the VW struts and mounts ?
     
  5. Feb 25, 2019 at 3:59 PM
    #45
    chrispchicken9

    chrispchicken9 Well-Known Member

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    can you weld it back together?
     
  6. Feb 25, 2019 at 6:52 PM
    #46
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    They already did that and it failed. How do I rid of that 2nd strut . Get a spindle ? Ps not a mechanic or welder
     
  7. Feb 26, 2019 at 6:23 AM
    #47
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What about getting that fabtech spindle what kind of modifications need to be done with that .anyone know . any succuss stories on here ?
     
  8. Feb 26, 2019 at 12:25 PM
    #48
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    If you get in touch w/ these guys they will set you straight. All they do are truck mods and they do fantastic work. They have a website but my dumb ass can’t figure out how to give you a link. 425250C0-F17A-40B2-BE3B-653BB2B68412.jpg
     
  9. Feb 26, 2019 at 12:25 PM
    #49
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    Ya might have to share those embarrassing photos w them though. Lol
     
  10. Feb 26, 2019 at 2:31 PM
    #50
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yea too bad their in new Hampshire unless they modify parts and ship them I'm in PA. Still looking for what to do if anyone has any suggestions ?
     
  11. Feb 26, 2019 at 2:52 PM
    #51
    01GreenTacoma

    01GreenTacoma Well-Known Member

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    You may just have to cut your losses and try again. In all honesty it is going to cost a lot of $$$ to fix it correctly, unless you can find a cheap parts truck with the things you need.

    For future reference on Tacoma’s you really want one with stock suspension/minimal mods. Like some have said, a 3” lift set up correctly is going to be much more functional/reliable than any drop bracket lift.
     
  12. Feb 26, 2019 at 3:41 PM
    #52
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    I was suggesting they could identify what you need and who might have it.
     
    Kstone1987[OP] likes this.
  13. Feb 26, 2019 at 3:57 PM
    #53
    13txtaco

    13txtaco Well-Known Member

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    Them cv axel angles dope.
     
  14. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:06 PM
    #54
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    I thought he was gonna play musical VW struts, they might have the upper brackets. Lol, oh man...
     
  15. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:07 PM
    #55
    PK808

    PK808 Well-Known Member

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    Definitely a trailmaster kit, which is discontinued.

    not sure if I saw this here, but this thread has links to other threads that could help you identify what parts you need to fix the 2nd strut

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/6-dicontinued-trailmaster-lift-help.135803/
     
  16. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #56
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    The KBB value might warrant comprehensive insurance just prior to a horrific fire ...
     
    Kstone1987[OP] likes this.
  17. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:12 PM
    #57
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    Any local fabrication shop could probably make the friggen thing for couple hundred, get a VW strut from EBay and problem solved. At least that particular one..lol ehhhh
     
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  18. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:34 PM
    #58
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6 inch lift 33 in tires
    I did read that and every other post on here . What part of the strut needs to be machined ? What strut mount is it ? The vw golf 91 strut mounts look like only 2 bolt when it is a 3 bolt . .. So to install you take off the 3 or 4 top bolts from the secondary strut and insert the vw cartridge ? And then you attach the mount underneath instead of on top? I just feel like some details are left out . And I really do appreciate the help !!!!
     
  19. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:40 PM
    #59
    Kstone1987

    Kstone1987 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sad thing is I didnt even get the title in the mail yet .
     
  20. Feb 26, 2019 at 4:46 PM
    #60
    Rachelsdaddy

    Rachelsdaddy Well-Known Member

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    I wish I lived closer, lol, I would help you with this for lunch at TacoBell. For all things good and holy sell that friggen thing as soon as it can be safely driven. Put a fart can on it, some kid will fall in love with it.
     
    tcjacado likes this.

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