Body lift Oops (Have to REDO?)

hour

hour

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Well, I got the bright idea to install a 1" Toytec body lift last night. Everything went smooth but I had made the executive decision to not install the supplied spacer for the steering after reading about how it wasn't really necessary on 1" (and I was kind of fighting daylight)

Anyway, upon driving today, it feels like I have 10% power steering. My research indicates that it's probably due to the tension on the steering because of not installing that spacer.

Is it even possible to disconnect the rag joint and install it at this point? That process seemed like the most intimidating part of the install which also made it easier for me to skip it. I'm not sure how the components connect necessarily, but I just envision taking the bolts out of something under pressure to result in a sudden release, my steering wheel shooting crooked making it harder to reassemble, etc.

Tips greatly appreciated, would have to have to undo most of the body lift to install that part. Word to the wise though if this ever pops up in your search - if they give it to you in a kit, you may want to use it - even if you only go up 1". Otherwise everything seems fine, no radiator fan/shroud problems.
 
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Had the same issue on my friends Tacoma after the body lift was installed. Just loosen the bolt above the rag joint on the steering shaft where it's splined. Might have to tap it with a hammer to break the splines loose but that'll take off any tension that might be pulling on the rag joint as you slide it downward. Then you can unbolt the rag and install your spacer. The angles made it tricky for me cuz the spacer bottomed out on the shaft and made it a tight fit to wiggle it back into place but it worked. Good luck!
 
hour said:
Well, I got the bright idea to install a 1" Toytec body lift last night. Everything went smooth but I had made the executive decision to not install the supplied spacer for the steering after reading about how it wasn't really necessary on 1" (and I was kind of fighting daylight)

Anyway, upon driving today, it feels like I have 10% power steering. My research indicates that it's probably due to the tension on the steering because of not installing that spacer.

Is it even possible to disconnect the rag joint and install it at this point? That process seemed like the most intimidating part of the install which also made it easier for me to skip it. I'm not sure how the components connect necessarily, but I just envision taking the bolts out of something under pressure to result in a sudden release, my steering wheel shooting crooked making it harder to reassemble, etc.

Tips greatly appreciated, would have to have to undo most of the body lift to install that part. Word to the wise though if this ever pops up in your search - if they give it to you in a kit, you may want to use it - even if you only go up 1". Otherwise everything seems fine, no radiator fan/shroud problems.
Click to expand...

yes you can install the spacer right now.

you should have just gone with one of my lifts. lol. then you would have had to install the spacer and wouldn't have had this problem. :surfer:

good luck.
 
Thanks slowpoke, got it done. After reading your post I initially attempted to just loosen the bolt and free up tension/let it adjust itself, and then bolt it tight and test it out. When I unbolted it though and then touched it, it immediately popped off the splines and it honestly looked like there wasn't much that it was hanging on by. Installed the spacer for good measure, hated every minute of it (lots of dirt found its way to my eyes, and so little room to access stuff up there). Haven't driven yet but it looks like it should be good.

shootmymime said:
you should have just gone with one of my lifts. lol. then you would have had to install the spacer and wouldn't have had this problem. :surfer:
.
Click to expand...

Well... I did find your thread a couple days ago when I decided to get the parts, but you were out of 1". I'm in on the AOR plate bumper group buy and don't want any more than a 1" gap since that bumper isn't offered raised for various body lifts. And I can leave my house an hour before work, swing by Toytec, get breakfast, and still be on time :hungry: which is what I ended up doing.
 
hour said:
Thanks slowpoke, got it done. After reading your post I initially attempted to just loosen the bolt and free up tension/let it adjust itself, and then bolt it tight and test it out. When I unbolted it though and then touched it, it immediately popped off the splines and it honestly looked like there wasn't much that it was hanging on by. Installed the spacer for good measure, hated every minute of it (lots of dirt found its way to my eyes, and so little room to access stuff up there). Haven't driven yet but it looks like it should be good.



Well... I did find your thread a couple days ago when I decided to get the parts, but you were out of 1". I'm in on the AOR plate bumper group buy and don't want any more than a 1" gap since that bumper isn't offered raised for various body lifts. And I can leave my house an hour before work, swing by Toytec, get breakfast, and still be on time :hungry: which is what I ended up doing.
Click to expand...

I got 1.5" on my AOR plate and it dont look to bad. Yours will look pretty good still!
 
Thanks all, drives like butter. Had a 140 mile round trip this morning and it was fine, feels the same as it did pre-body lift. Stock bumper (put back on last night) was rubbing on sharp turns, both sides. Made an emergency stop at Lowes and got something called a key saw, 5 minutes later it was a-okay. I guess the way the bumper was sagging post body lift brought the rear of it just a half inch too close to the tire.

Sucks to trim a bumper because you didn't have time to do the drill/remount tactic, but whatever - it's an old rusty stock bumper soon to be replaced
 
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