Suspension Transplant

My dilemma: I just got my renewal notice for my vehicle insurance, and I realize that I need to reduce my fleet. I own two Tacomas (a 2001 and a 2003, both black, four cylinder, auto trans, SR5 access cabs), and now one must go. I don’t really want to part with either, but the time has come.

The vehicles: the ‘01 is a no frills, well used, high miles (230K), accident survivor (before my time), spunky truck. It has a new frame, thanks to the recall, but also has OME 880 coils in front, Wheelers 5 leaf packs in the back, with Rough Country nitro shocks all around, not to mention a number of other upgraded suspension parts. It rides great, and will go anywhere you point it.

‘03 has all power option, 150K, passed the frame inspection last year (and going in for inspection this week), new bumpers front and rear, new tires. The frame looks sound, not bad for a truck from Maine, but if it were going to go, now would be a good time while still under warranty. It rides like crap though on the OEM shocks and suspension.

My question then is this: does it make sense to move the ‘01 suspension to the ‘03? Due to the high mileage and condition of the ‘01, I can’t get my money back (about 2K) for the suspension I put on four years ago. I’ve tried, no takers. Because I have other vehicles to drive, there are only about 5K miles on this suspension.

So my plan would be to swap the leafs and coils, and as much of everything else that I can, and sell the ‘01, keeping the ‘03 for the long term.

 

I would do exactly what you said, just move everything over to the 03 and sell that thing. 150k is not many miles someone will snatch that thing up quick.

 

Yup, just do one corner at a time. By the time you are done. You can consider yourself a pro lol

 

Persinally I'd swap all the suspension mods from the high mileage to the lower mileage and anything else like worn out interior pieces assuming colors match.

 

The '03 frame was declared "surprisingly sound" by the dealer's Tacoma guy. He has done over a hundred frame replacements, and did my '01. They were doing one today. I still have a few years left on the warranty, which made it easier to decide to keep it.

I think I'm going to go ahead with the transplant of the '01's suspension to the '03, then sell the '01. This will give the '03 about a 1.5 inch lift. They are both the same colors in and out, but the '03 is in better condition overall. But if anything looks better, it goes to the '03. I may not have been clear about my plan in the original post, but now it seems pretty clear which way to go.

I'll have to search for a post on doing the front end. I had my mechanic do the coils when I got them. I will probably do the rack bushings also. I'm not going to move the shocks. Anyone have any favorites in shocks? Seems most people here like Bilsteins. My mechanic does not (thinks the ride is too mushy), but he will put in whatever I buy. Will also get a geaseable shackel set. I had to cut off the eye bolts with a sawsall on the '01. I will have to check my Wheeler's invoice for all the misc parts I needed last time.

 

Sounds like a great plan. There are stickys on here that will help you along. Otherwise, lots of experienced members to help you. How awesome to have 2 tacos that are about the same. Also you were perfectly clear on your first post. Think someone just got confused. GL

 

I started the swap.

Seemed like a good idea at the time. But I forgot what 11 years of northeast winters will do to a vehicle's undercarriage. There are not enough four letter words to describe what it's like to remove seized shackles and u-bolts.

The leaf springs are off. The rain today halted any further progress. The parts that I need to replace are on order. I can put the rear of the '03 together if we have a day of good weather. Then I can contemplate swapping the front end.

I have a few pictures, and maybe I'll post them, or maybe I won't.

 

Yeah pretty much takes a cutting torch. I don't think any of our east coast trucks have anything that is actually easy to take off our suspension!

 

Removed '03 parts. Raining off and on so, unless it lets up, not much progress today.

 

Amazed you got that stuff off without sawsall or torch. Props to you man!!

 

so glad i live in Texas lol. props to you man

 

Definitely envy those of you in warm weather states at times like these.

However, I can't take credit for removing these without a "power assist". If you look close at the picture you will see that the u-bolts were cut, as were the eye-bolts in the front of the leafs. The cut off is still in the bushing. What you can't see in the box are all the sawsall blades I went through (about one blade per cut - don't buy the cheap blades!). I did save the rear shackels for reuse in the '01. Did I mention I broke my 1/2 drive socket wrench on the u-bolts? Fortunately Sears still honors the craftsman warranty. The '01 came apart pretty easy because everything was greasable on the lift components.

We got a break in the weather yesterday, so I was able to get the leafs in the '03. I just need to put in the shocks and connect/bleed the break line. But, today still looks like rain.

 

Well, why would the front go any easier than the back? Out comes the sawsall again, as the three top nuts on the coils either rounded off or the stud started spinning.

I have one corner left to do on the '03. The poor '01 sits there on blocks waiting for shocks, shackels and bushings. And now I'll need that top plate for the coils. This was supposed to only take a day or two. Been a week, and I'm only half done.

 

Now it all makes sense. 25.00 sawsall blades on mine. Good metal blades also. Laughed at my 1/2 inch impact. Even looked welded together. Good time to put things back with never seize also.

 

The '03 is done. It's now about an inch higher, and sits nice and level with a slight rake. The ride is noticeably better, but now I'm hearing things I did not notice before. There is a rattle in the drivers door, and the shell is banging against the cab. Plus there are a few squeaks I did not notice before. I'm probably hypersensitive to all of this after all the work put into this project. Will take a few pictures and update my signature photo.

The '01 is waiting for parts. I started installing the leaf springs by removing the old bushings. What a bitch to do. So far have one side almost done. The bushings are seized to to the springs. But, I will get this one done this week if: the rain holds up, the parts get here, and I don't throw in the towel.

 

The 2003 with OME 880s and Wheeler's 5 Leaf packs.

 

Both trucks are done! I had to put new shocks on the '01, and decided to buy struts and coils (pre-mounted) for the front off eBay. Saved a ton of time. Just dropped out the old and in with the new. Now sits at stock hight. The '03 has the lift, and it's great, and looks even all around.

So, was it worth it? Hard to say. It was a lot of work to save a few bucks on lifting the '03. But, I'm cheap, so looking at it that way, it saved money. I'm going to list the '01 for sale at $5,500.

 

Great work man! Like how you stuck to it also. It will seem worth it soon if not already.