*UPDATE* - It's Definitely a Drive Shaft Vibration...

lol you realize they arnt traction bars right? The 4 runner has had a parallel 4 link with panhard and coil springs since the 3rd gen 4 runner from the mid 90's

 

interested in those as well.

 

I know this thread is pushing two years old but I figured I’d stop back in for an update in case I can help anyone else who has lifted their truck and is dealing with a driveshaft vibration. At 90k miles on the truck the CB finally gave out. It was squeaking horribly in reverse and at low speeds on the road. Instead of replacing the CB I opted to have a custom one piece rear driveshaft built and installed. I just got my truck back yesterday and all I can say is wow, I should have done this two years ago. All of my vibrations are completely gone, from slow take off through 70+ MPH. It honestly feels like a brand new truck and the $450 I spent on the new shaft was well worth every penny.

 

Ha. Good read. I'm currently piecing together my lift and buying it little by little. The first round is all about the rear end leafs and components. I was debating on the shim and drop kits. Guess I'll just get the recommended CB drop kit and leave it at that. If I get vibrations, go straight for a new drive shaft! Thanks for going through all the pain and documenting it so I don't have to!!

 

Just remember that all Tacomas react differently to lifts and some unfortunate people have rear driveshaft vibrations from the factory on completely stock trucks.

Also, a one piece shaft is not your only option. You can have a custom double cardan two piece shaft built using most of the OEM components from your current two piece shaft that will accomplish the same thing. I only opted to go with the one piece shaft because my OEM CB was shot and I don’t do any hard core off-roading so I’m not concerned about the larger diameter or any loss of ground clearance from the one piece shaft.

Either way, good luck building your lift kit and for your sake I hope you are one of the few lucky ones who can align the OEM rear driveshaft at the correct angles and avoid vibrations.

 

There is a new rear trans mount that came out on a TSB. It lowers the trans a half inch or so. I installed that and had my driveshaft rebalanced and my vibration is gone.

 

Sounds like a decent option for people inside warranty. But wouldn’t do us older model years and higher mileage guys any good. I’d be willing to bet the cost of that new mount and labor out of pocket would eat up half if not more the cost of a custom rear shaft. And in my case I needed a new CB as well since mine was super noisy.

 

If you’re still around OP, what 1 piece DS did you go with? Double cardan? I’m looking at getting a 1 piece soon as I’m current in the same boat you were in 2 years ago. I have the same lift as you and I’m not sure if I should go with the double cardan or not. Currently I have my pinion angle parallel to the t-case output so a single joint DS should in theory work. However, I’m not opposed to pointing my pinion directly at the t-case and going double cardan. Just hoping to get some info. Thanks!

 

I’m still around. And I’d have to crawl up under the truck and take a picture. I have no idea if it’s a double cardan or not. I know they used as much of the original rear drive shaft as possible (flanges, slip yoke, etc...) and there is a U joint at the front, where it connects to the transfer case and another one at the rear where it connects to the rear differential.

 

Look at Tom Woods for a 1 piece driveshaft. You can even call him and discuss all the different options, I did. After my stock junker shaft started causing vibrations and the dealer and factory were jerks I changed mine and all fixed with a heavy duty greaseable shaft. Stock rear springs are also too soft and part of the Tacoma problem as they allow rearend wrap changing the angle.