rear Lift kits

2011 tacoma - I already have a 1 inch lift leveling kit in the front, it leveled out my truck perfectly. But when I have the slightest load in the back of the few hundred pounds it drops the back to ride a good bit lower than the front. Has anyone had good success with 1 inch blocks in the rear?

 

I bought a pair of 1/2" steel shims from Wheelers Offroad. They bolt to your leaf pack with the included longer center pin. Seem more secure than blocks if half an inch is ok for your desired ride height. However, I never installed them. Went with and add a leaf instead.

Just posting to give you alternative options to a pair of blocks.

 

Blocks will raise the truck but it won't keep it from sagging under a load. You can put an add a leaf in and take out the stock overload. That will give you pretty close to stock height with some additional weight carrying capability.

 

Blocks won't help with payload but will raise the truck. But if it's raised up 1" and I add weight will it not then look level when under load instead of the back looking lower. Also I don't do a any off-roading so it's only for looks and ride height.

 

How do you install leaf springs shins?

 

Shims*

 

Easiest to have a shop do it. They'll raise the truck on a chassis lift. Unbolt U-bolts. Lower axle. Remove stock center pin. Place shim under the leaf pack. Install new longer center pin (then cut excess thread for bumpstop fitment). Raise axle and install U-bolts. Done.

If you decide to go that route call Wheelers and ask if longer U-bolts are required. I never installed mine so I dunno if the stock U-bolts are long enough to accommodate 1/2" shims along with the leaf pack.

 

When I said my truck is almost dead level it's actually a little higher in the front by about 1/2". I would like the back to be a smidge higher. So what if I went with blocks or possibly stiffer longer shocks? Also what could I do to get it a little higher but also add to the payload?

 

Sorry one other question for anyone. I've had my 1" front leveling done for about 3 months now. Is it possible for the rear to have started to sag as a result? I took most of the weight out the back earlier and it still seam lower. For instance the back used to be about 1/16" to 1/8" higher after level kit but now it seems slightly lower.

 

Lol. Also just noticed my truck only has 3 leaf springs. Does it qualify for the TSB on a 2011 with 110k Miles?

 

If your front end is higher I'd get with Marie at Headstrong Offroad and get a progressive add a leaf pack and whatever longer rear shocks she recommends. Problem solved and your ride will be really smooth.

 

I know that would probably be best but I'm looking for looks not ride quality. I don't do any off-roading

 

Do these have to be used with a new leaf spring pack? Not a stock set?

 

Stock or new. They'll bolt up to any leaf pack.

 

Does anyone think these will cause vibration issues or axle wrap?

 

OK I put this 1" lift kit in the back and now I have a slight very very slight vibration shudder at take off about 5 mph and then it goes away and I don't feel anything else anymore at any other speed. Is this detrimental to my driveshaft or cause for concern for anything else? I can't imagine how this would've caused a problem because it look like the backend was sagging anyway. Would putting the 1 inch in the front have caused this and I just haven't noticed until now? I put the one edge on the front about six months ago. Please someone give me their honest thoughts on this.

 

It's normal when lifting the rear, a lot of trucks come with that driveline vibe from factory, look into a carrier bearing drop kit, it's like $10 , should help

 

It's very very slight or sudle. But I barely lifted 1"– I just couldn't imagine that would have caused it to do that. Is the $10 carrier bearing drop hard to put on or is it worth it for the effects?

 

Also is it proven to be problematic down the road if I leave it as it is and don't do anything to it.?