This issue has been discussed in a few threads. However, the info I have found has been pretty vague and non informative. Im looking to see if anyone knows more about this.

I read from another member that on the 96 models the center body mount bracket isnt even on the frame. So Toyota added it to 97 + models. But they are all the same in having a gap between the rubber bushing and frame mount, making them functionally pointless. So Im wondering a few things . . .

- Why would Toyota add the center body mount bracket and then decided not to use it? Maybe it was used on the Taco which shares the same basic frame as 3rd gen?

- Why put a partial bushing that doesnt even fill the gap between body mount (as pictured below)? Maybe to provide more flex between body and frame?

- And has anyone added a full length bushing to the center body mount, and found it to make any difference in ride quality?


8 of the 10 body mounts on our trucks look like this.



And then the two center body mounts have the gap.

I replaced all my body mounts with POLY when I did a 1" BL about 2 years ago.

I've been pretty happy with the results which was a firmer feeling of the body to the frame. 4Crawler explained that it is the floating loose aspect of the frame on the body that, specifically after many years of age, causes bad vibrations on dirt washes.

4Crawler Offroad - Custom Body Lift Kits

He also sells the replacement body mount kits.

That is specifically what I was wondering about. Thanks for that info Brian. With that Im going to replace mine in the near future, adding that center bushing. I just dont understand why Toyota would weld the bracket there, and then add only half a bushing which is functionally useless

How difficult is it replacing the body mounts? Im assuming you have to disconnect the steering shaft, and maybe a few other things to get the body up

It wasn't easy. It is exactly as difficult as doing a body lift.

I should have said "contributed to" instead of "causes bad vibrations" but after changing my body mounts to POLY, on the next desert trip the truck did feel a lot less like it was going to shake itself apart into pieces.

You'd want to see the installing a body lift thread for the details. You will need a friend to help and about 4 hours time.

@BrianSD_42 it's about a 4 hour install to put the poly bushings in? Was it a straightforward install? I'm looking at ordering some bushings to put on when I put the body lift on. So want to gather as much info as possible.

Replacing all the factory body mounts is 95% of the work to install a complete body lift.

So the amount of time to do a BL is what you should expect.

There is a good write up with pictures in the documentation sticky.

Just be careful when lifting the body in order to insert the body lift blocks or body mount bushings. When I installed my body lift, I tried lifting using the pinch welds but my floor jack and the 4x4 blocks of wood I was using started to get real "tippy". So i placed the floor jack and 4x4 wood blocks on the floor board area next to the pinch welds. It lifted fine without any resistance but the weight of the body caused the tac welds to break which resulted in my floor board separating from my rocker panel. It ended up only costing about $80 to reattach but would have been nice to get through the installation without running into any issues for once.

There is a reason why the middle body mounts have a gap there. Toyota wasn't just lazy and forgot to add the bottom bushing.

I vaguely remember reading that the reason for it was crash related. I'll post it up if i find the actual reason.

I would be interested in seeing that

I searched the sticky and did not see the thread. Can you post the link you are referring to?

I am ha kng trouble finding replacement bushings that don't come with BL hardware.

Have you ever looked at them while the suspension was flexed, that is the reason, the gap allows the frame to flex separately from the body.

Has anyone tried a combination of polyurethane and rubber body mounts? Where you replace the old OEM rubber body mounts with polyurethane and the two side body mounts that require a gap for flexing with the OEM rubber mounts. I just ordered a 1" body lift and would like to replace body mounts at the same time. Do you think a combo with cause any issues?