Wacko's new tacoma

Hey guys. You probably haven't seen me around much as I mostly lurk, but I think that all changed today when I got a new project. In addition to my 2000 which runs and drives great, I now have a 1995 that needs some things.

Meet the project:


It's a red (Impulse red?) 1995 Toyota Tacoma V6 5speed. Among things it needs are brakes, various gaskets, and a bath like nobody's business. The biggest issue is the lift kit some kid put on it. We think it's at least a 6in kit, I think mostly blocks on top of major suspension components. Its worn down pretty well (parts are failing) and rubs on the front tires, it really needs to go, the PO stated that the shop he took it too couldn't even identify who made the kit, let alone the individual kit. Body is good, and frame is solid. Runs well despite leaks for its 196K. Probably a steal at $1500.

I'm sure to have many questions as I put work into this and know you guys will get me there.

Know needs/Projects:
-Removal of bad lift
-Inspect rear brakes, replace front brakes (and probably driver side disc)
-Replace Dash lights
-Inspect odd audio wiring all over cab.
-Downsize tires for after lift removal (currently 33's)
-Fix various leaks
-Inspect Timing belt, consider changing

 

Looks like you got a fun project on your hands! I was always on the lookout for another older Tacoma for cheap to build until I found my '79 Pickup 4x4.

 

And on to looking at the lift kit. BTW I've never done a lift so this should be interesting. I am mostly looking to delete the lift for now, with the idea to maybe look at a shorter one in the future.

As we can see here, we have a mess. As far as I can tell this lift kit was a combination of things. We have a shock spacer that measures 6inches. The top of this appears to be mounted to some sort of aftermarket upper control arm. I think I should be able to remove that and the failing extension that connects to the upper part and put on normal upper control arms.

As this next picture shows we see the real reason I want the lift to go, besides just being in poor shape, it just doesn't fit in this configuration, as it rubs the tires. Not good for the tire, makes a bunch of noise, and generally poorly done.

Found these extensions mounted for the sway bar. To me that looks like it would fold pretty easy, but seems to have held up so far.

Moving to the back we can see that we have a simple block and longer u-bolts. However when measured this was only 3 inches. Truck sits pretty even and I'm trying to figure out where the other 3 to make 6 inchs to match the front is. I didn't see shackle extensions but I'll have to look again.


And that's the majority of the work I've put into looking at the lift so far. Suggestions on how to go about removing various pieces, or things to watch out for? I assume the front should be like changing shocks, but it will be shorter when done, and the back should be like replacing leaves without having to remove them. More to come as I have time to play with it.

 

Thanks! I've always liked the older pickups as well, but just happened across this one for a price I couldn't pass on. That and having some experience with basically the same truck while working on my other rig really helps. Should be interesting as I've never tackled something quite this extensive where I'm the one doing the work and making the choices. Should be fun though as long as other projects don't eat too much of my time.

 

I like the custom brake lines.

 

I'm subbed, good luck with the repairs. The 95-97s have some minor differences from the 98-2000s if you need any help lemme know, I may be able to help. That old lift looks really dangerous, especially the upper control whatever that is (arm, strut, bar, crap?). Hopefully the cross member wasn't cut out to put in that drop bracket.

 

Yeah it's not road worthy at the very least. I haven't seen any cuts so far as far as the lift is concerned except for a slight hole in the front wheel wells where I think the bolt on top either rubbed or didn't fit. Looking at it, it was kinda a hack job of a bolt on lift. Definitely going to needs to find some upper control arms at the very least.

 

When you are in there, it would be a good idea to replace any front suspension joints. This includes balljoints, tie rod ends, sway bar links/bushings.

Also, it could have a different leaf pack in the back, or an add a leaf. Looking at everything else I would examine the leaf pack and determine if there is an extra leaf in there.

 

Yup by the looks of it you've got an AAL in the rear. Its pry 2" giving you 5" in the rear. That would make it pretty level considering the factory rake.

 

Very cool!

 

That lift has me confuses in the front... Rear looks like block and aal. Id just remove the block for now.

 

Probably a good idea, not like they're hard or expensive.

Could be an AAL, I'll have to compare it to the rear end of the 2000 when I get home.

I doubt we're the only confused ones. What gets me more is that someone installed this and then just went with it. Then the next guy bought it and drove for a year like that, with the tires rubbing. He was only selling it because the lift was failing, and apparently it took a shop to tell him that it had to go before he realized it was an issue! Not sure what I wanna do in the back. Going to remove the blocks either way, probably see how it sits with the AAL and go from there.

 

stock leaf pack is 3 leafs not including overload. yours has 4. 95-97 has different leaf springs than your 2000.

 

I figured it was probably 3 for stock, but didn't remember. Leaf springs should be the same style and design, except for possibly length or mounting I would think. Therefore I could've compared the packs and noticed the extra leaf, unless I'm mistaken?

 

95-97 have the same length springs as the older 4th gen pickups. They are 4in shorter than 98-2004

 

Whoa that front end is definitely a mess. I am really impressed at the upper control arm/shock the have bolted to the spindle, so when you turn it rotates the shock? Also it does look like that cross member is gone for the original lower control arm mounts, that can be replaced but its quite a bit of work

 

When you turn it rotates the smaller shock that would normally be where the original upper control arm connected. It doesn't move the main shock anymore than normal I don't think.

As for the cross member, I'm not quite seeing what you are talking about. Could you post a diagram or a picture with something pointing to the missing piece? Lower control arm looks like the original.

 

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/98-tacoma-lift-problem-162740/

Found it boys an old discontinued trail masters lift that looks quite scary good luck OP!

 

Check this link out as well :

http://www.nwtoys.com/content/126-trailmaster-lift-inversion-modification.html

 

That looks to be it alright. Good find! That makes diagnosing what we've got to deal with a lot easier. The manual in the second link gives the installation instructions, pretty much just the opposite of installation. Thanks!

Well looking at stuff I found the cross member you were talking about, right at the front of the transmission. Unfortunately that leaves me with an interesting issue. First I need a new cross-member of sorts. Anyone know where I might find one? I'm not really sure of a good junkyard around here. Could one be made? Secondly I don't know how to weld, or really have access to a welder. I assume bolting something like that on is bad, although technically that's all the dropped one is? Other than that it looks intimidating as hell, but should be manageable.