Who has done a self-install 6" pro-comp?

HI,

Been really itching to do a lift since I bought the truck a few months ago. I have my mind set on a 6" procomp... and I was wondering if anybody has done any self-installs in their garage or something or if you know of a good thread walk/through...

I searched out the wazoo the other night and only found one thread that didn't have too much info in it.

Basically, I'm want to see how much "hell" it was and if its worth to save the money and do it at home or pay to have a shop do it... At the end of the day, I know I can do it, I just don't want to spend two-weeks or more working on it after work everyday....

I don't particularly have an issue with paying to have it done right in a 2-day job... but the problem is I'm not sure about the workmanship of the shops around here... we have a 4WP but I hear nothing but negative stuff about them from this forum. So I figure it may be worth trying myself.

Thx

 

Here's a 6inch fabtech write up. It's on a 1st gen, but it's pretty similar to what'd you'd hafta do on a 1nd gen. (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) just thought you'd like to see this if u haven't already.

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/fabtech6/fabtech6.htm

 

well if you go to the fabtech site you can actually download a pdf instruction book.

 

Ya, I'm actually going ProComp, not Fabtech. I downloaded the instructions from their site and reviewed them. I just wanted to see a real-world write up from somebody who did a self-install. The instructions all seem doable, but nobody's home garage has every single tool in the world and I wanted to see what troubles others have had and how they over-came them. Usually works out well for me to do tons of research before hand.

 

Any reason why? Are you going to start with the spacer? Cause i am getting rid of my fabtech coils pretty soon here.

 

Me and a couple of my friends did the install of my Fabtech 6" lift. We started friday night around 6 and finished saturday evening around 11. It wasnt hard at all if your mechanically inclined.

 

Any reason why what? Why I'm going with Pro-Comp? Well,l from everything I have read they are great quality. It looks like lots of people use this kit and haven't really heard too many complaints. Also, later on down the road, I think I can add the nice CO for like $1K more....

I just seem to like the pro-comp kit more than the fabtech kit... Plus, I seem to keep hearing fabtech is disappearing soon... although I doubt that.

 

I used to do lifts!

 

Ok, well ill let you know when i get rid of my coils if you are interested.

 

Wow. You installed the lift in day and half? That's pretty amazing....

Ya, I'm pretty mechanically inclined but I know it will take me much longer than 2-days... more like 5 probably... unless I just take days off from work and hopefully I wont run into any issues.... The issue is, I don't want to run into a step where I am missing the correct tool or something... that's all. Another thing too, I probably wont be able to have a lot of help! Yikes! Were there some parts that absolutely required two people?

 

I had to get it done in a weekend because its my only form of transportation.

It helped that I was able to do it on a lift. A buddy and I did the front and two other buddies did the rear. You should be able to do it all yourself, it will just take more time.

 

I installed my Procomp 6" lift with the help of a few friends. It wasn't that hard just a little time consuming. Just take your time and you should be able to install it.

 

LOL

That makes too much sense now, doesn't it? I will get right on it.

Ya, if I could somehow get out of having to pay $800 or whatever for installation, I'd be much more likely to finally get the damn lift....

I know I'm proly going to get shot for saying this, but if 4WP has that free install deal again... it may be a good bet for me...

 

I'm in a similar position. Its my only transportion and I have to use it to take baby to day care and myself to work everyday....

One other option, I was thinking if I was going to do it myself, is start Friday night, work Saturday, Sunday, then just take days off from work as needed until I get it done (hopefully no more than Monday or Tuesday....)

My greater concern, however, is running into a situation where I am in need of a special tool or part that I end up having to order from toyota or something that puts me out for 2 weeks and my rig completely unbolted undrivable. Thats why I was hoping to see a few write ups to see who ran into what issues....

You know, bolts invariable will break accidentally, etc....

 

I don't think you'll need any special order tools. If anything, maybe a run to an auto parts store or something.

 

Well, how tough of a cut is the cross member there? A simple ginder should be able to just cut right through it, right? Then, the cover plates can be welded on by a light mig?

 

Sawzall will work better