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Question re Rancho quick lift strut and overall setup

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by shankyjones, Dec 13, 2022.

  1. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:15 PM
    #1
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey, has anyone installed quick lift struts (1.75" lift) on their truck is there anything I need to know about adjustments to the lower control arms, etc or do they just fit right in, lickety split???

    I am also planning to run RS55180/RS55226 Rancho shocks on the back. In your expert opinions what are your thoughts??? I am understanding the 1.75" lift will 'level' my truck.

    TYIA
     
  2. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:21 PM
    #2
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Third thread on these coilovers?

    Lower control arms do not adjust.

    Bolt-on installation.

    You'll want an alignment done after installing said lift. The height those coilovers provide over stock will be dependent on the age of those coils and payload of your vehicle.

    As for "leveling", no one will be able to answer that for you. Your payload and the age of your leaf pack (brand and model even) will determine how the rear of the vehicle sits in relation to stock height.

    Unless you have a brand new OEM leaf pack and an empty truck bed, it's anyone's guess how the rear is sitting at the moment.
     
  3. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:26 PM
    #3
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, Kwikvette. I had a hard time deciding which way to go...I will try these out until they go and THEN get the OEM versions for sure.

    I finally decided on the Ranchos because of the price and condition they are in. And, matching the set with the RS5000x series shocks.

    So, they are just 'bolt on' no adjustment necessary, huh? I am not concerned about lift per se as I do not offroad. After install I will adjust the firmness/softness of the struts to my liking.
     
  4. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:32 PM
    #4
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    You will find that a pry bar, or something that'll provide leverage, will come in handy when trying to get the bottom bolt into your shock's eyelet.

    What I did (and most others as well) is I placed my bottle jack on top of my coilover.

    Place layered cardboard and maybe a wood block or something between your jack and inside wheel well, and extend the jack. This will push the entire assembly (coilover, upper control arm, spindle, lower control arm) to aid getting the bolt holes aligned.
     
  5. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:33 PM
    #5
    homegrown_xt

    homegrown_xt Well-Known Member

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    Rancho Quick lift. Wheelers Off Road Progressive AAL with Rancho RS9000's, braided brake lines & clutch line. BFG 32x11.50 15 All Terrain Tires Deck Plate Mod. Flowmaster 60 series muffler and Marlin Crawler Short Throw Shifter.
    I have these on my truck, I put them on and got and alignment the next morning. They have been great and haven't had any issues. I did get another alignment done because I changed out the rack bushings and the alignment wasn't off by much.
     
  6. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:35 PM
    #6
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I have seen a couple vids where they used pry bars, one inbetween the coil and one lifting somewhere on the suspension (can't remember where?).

    I like your bottle jack idea except I don't own one. I have a decent pry bar set (Craftsman) I bought from a guy who turned out to be one of my old coworkers 30-40 years ago. Go figure!
     
  7. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:37 PM
    #7
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Homegrown, you are the 2nd person to suggest an alignment. I was going to get one anyway so that is good to know. The last garage that did mine was supposed to be the 'best in the area'....well, my steering wheel was off to the left as they never used something (seatbelt) to secure it.
     
    homegrown_xt likes this.
  8. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:40 PM
    #8
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Alignment is mentioned because well, you're always supposed to get one after changing your suspension's height.

    Don't want to wear your tires prematurely or unevenly.
     
    homegrown_xt likes this.
  9. Dec 13, 2022 at 3:41 PM
    #9
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good to know Kwik...I hope I remember that!
     
  10. Dec 14, 2022 at 12:10 AM
    #10
    homegrown_xt

    homegrown_xt Well-Known Member

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    1996 Tacoma Xcab 4x4 V6 MTM
    Rancho Quick lift. Wheelers Off Road Progressive AAL with Rancho RS9000's, braided brake lines & clutch line. BFG 32x11.50 15 All Terrain Tires Deck Plate Mod. Flowmaster 60 series muffler and Marlin Crawler Short Throw Shifter.
    20210724_113806 (2)_LI.jpg 20210814_082224_LI (4).jpg Yes, an alignment is always a given after you lift your truck.
    Here is how my truck turned out after the Quick Lifts and Wheelers Progressive AAL. I also got the Rancho RS9000 shocks for the rear to match the front struts.
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2022
    mattyosh and shankyjones[OP] like this.
  11. Dec 14, 2022 at 6:31 AM
    #11
    Xbeaus

    Xbeaus Well-Known Member

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    Toytec coilovers. Height adjustable Bilstein's. 265/75/16 MT. TRD wheels. Rebuilt r150f. Marlin clutch kit. All kinds of new parts...
    A friend of mine just acquired a 2nd gen with the rancho quick lift. It rode so terribly he promptly took it off and put a Toytec lift on there. Night and day difference according to him.
     
    homegrown_xt likes this.
  12. Dec 14, 2022 at 9:51 AM
    #12
    homegrown_xt

    homegrown_xt Well-Known Member

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    Rancho Quick lift. Wheelers Off Road Progressive AAL with Rancho RS9000's, braided brake lines & clutch line. BFG 32x11.50 15 All Terrain Tires Deck Plate Mod. Flowmaster 60 series muffler and Marlin Crawler Short Throw Shifter.
    Funny that you mention that, I put my shocks to the softer settings and that took care of the rough ride but it turned out that my tires were old and on the harder side. After I put new tires on, it's like a new truck again.
     
    Xbeaus[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Dec 14, 2022 at 9:53 AM
    #13
    Xbeaus

    Xbeaus Well-Known Member

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    Toytec coilovers. Height adjustable Bilstein's. 265/75/16 MT. TRD wheels. Rebuilt r150f. Marlin clutch kit. All kinds of new parts...
    that's good it rides nice now. Getting these older pickups to ride well is quite the nice upgrade for sure. I am a fan of the RS-9000 that are adjustable. I had a set on an old 76 Bronco I had. Paired with some 11 pack leaf springs it rode quite nice.
     
    homegrown_xt[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Dec 14, 2022 at 2:22 PM
    #14
    homegrown_xt

    homegrown_xt Well-Known Member

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    Rancho Quick lift. Wheelers Off Road Progressive AAL with Rancho RS9000's, braided brake lines & clutch line. BFG 32x11.50 15 All Terrain Tires Deck Plate Mod. Flowmaster 60 series muffler and Marlin Crawler Short Throw Shifter.
    You got that right, gotta keep these classics going!
     
    Xbeaus[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Dec 17, 2022 at 11:56 AM
    #15
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Guys I really don't want to reuse my OEM strut nuts for my Rancho quick lift struts.
    Does anyone know where I can find a couple sets of them nuts??? I can't seem to find them!
     
  16. Dec 17, 2022 at 3:32 PM
    #16
    homegrown_xt

    homegrown_xt Well-Known Member

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    Rancho Quick lift. Wheelers Off Road Progressive AAL with Rancho RS9000's, braided brake lines & clutch line. BFG 32x11.50 15 All Terrain Tires Deck Plate Mod. Flowmaster 60 series muffler and Marlin Crawler Short Throw Shifter.
    The Rancho's didn't come with new hardware? I would go with the oem Toyota nuts if they are the same size as the Rancho's.
     
  17. Dec 17, 2022 at 4:54 PM
    #17
    shankyjones

    shankyjones [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No they didn't. Mine are a bit rusty and may not fit. After searching around and calling local stores, ie. O'Reilly, Autozone, I have decided to bring one of the struts into Napa and have them find ones that fit.
     
    homegrown_xt likes this.
  18. Dec 17, 2022 at 11:08 PM
    #18
    homegrown_xt

    homegrown_xt Well-Known Member

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    1996 Tacoma Xcab 4x4 V6 MTM
    Rancho Quick lift. Wheelers Off Road Progressive AAL with Rancho RS9000's, braided brake lines & clutch line. BFG 32x11.50 15 All Terrain Tires Deck Plate Mod. Flowmaster 60 series muffler and Marlin Crawler Short Throw Shifter.
    Try to get ahold of Rancho customer service and see if they will send you the correct hardware for the quicklifts, doesn't hurt to try.
     

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