BrianSD_42
New member
Sure. I'll add it to the tutorial and documentation thread.
Speedy's Lift Install with "How To" Video
- Thread starter Speedy
- Start date
Speedy
Member
After driving the truck around for a while I noticed the transmission would hunt a bit for the right gear and the performance felt quite diminished, even with the truck being supercharged, after the larger wheels tires and lift were installed.
I decided to hit the ECT button and see if it helped and bingo. The truck is more peppy than it was with the stock tires. I'm probably the last person to figure that out as I never had cause to use it before, but I wanted to throw it out there just in case.
My MPGs have gone down by 2 since doing all this as well. I was getting 18-20MPG and I now get 15 - 18.
I decided to hit the ECT button and see if it helped and bingo. The truck is more peppy than it was with the stock tires. I'm probably the last person to figure that out as I never had cause to use it before, but I wanted to throw it out there just in case.
My MPGs have gone down by 2 since doing all this as well. I was getting 18-20MPG and I now get 15 - 18.
busmup808
New member
Speedy Mahalos for the great writeup and video. Did my upgrade last night and breezed it. Took me and half and hr to paint and half an hr to install. I used the same brake pads as you, but got some OEM rotors/calipers at a junkyard from a 06 Tundra with 30k original miles. I also painted my calipers red with DuPont Caliper spray. I was anxious to paint and it was a little wet when installed. Still happy.
I also installed the front with the same lift as yours, but put Landcruiser coils in the rear. Your 2 videos was much appreciated. Mahalos and Aloha, Dain
I also installed the front with the same lift as yours, but put Landcruiser coils in the rear. Your 2 videos was much appreciated. Mahalos and Aloha, Dain
rakorakozy
New member
johndavidwright
New member
Can I do this suspension upgrade without getting new front coils and using the ones I have right now?
0xfded
New member
Speedy, thanks a ton for this post and the video. I was looking for a lift with exactly the same criteria (~2", stock or better ride), and over this weekend I've been following your lead. Fronts are done now, rear is torn down and the new stuff will go on this week after a bit of rust treatment.
I had a few suggestions that made things easier along the way:
It's easier to put the strut back on if you disconnect your lower ball joint from the lower control arm. I was able to put a breaker bar + short extension in the open LBJ bolt hole on the LCA and lever it down enough to get the shock on. Separating it from the UCA seems to have reduced the force required a lot--I was able to hold it down with one arm and line up the shock with the other.
My LBJs were of unknown vintage, so I just replaced them at the same time. But if you're doing the job solo and have a tie rod puller handy, it's pretty easy to disconnect. (Assuming it's not rusted up, which may have made it seem easy for me when it usually isn't. YMMV.)
Pull the rear springs before removing the rear shocks. After disconnecting the bottom, but before fighting with the top, pull the springs out. This ended up getting me a lot more room to get my arm up there for that shock top nut.
Besides that, I have no idea how you managed to assemble the new struts with a rental spring compressor. I sure as hell wasn't up to it. I barely managed to get the stock ones separated, and had to have the shop assemble the new ones. I got them compressed as far as I could, and still needed ~2" before the top would go back on. Hardest part by far.
Thanks again!
I had a few suggestions that made things easier along the way:
It's easier to put the strut back on if you disconnect your lower ball joint from the lower control arm. I was able to put a breaker bar + short extension in the open LBJ bolt hole on the LCA and lever it down enough to get the shock on. Separating it from the UCA seems to have reduced the force required a lot--I was able to hold it down with one arm and line up the shock with the other.
My LBJs were of unknown vintage, so I just replaced them at the same time. But if you're doing the job solo and have a tie rod puller handy, it's pretty easy to disconnect. (Assuming it's not rusted up, which may have made it seem easy for me when it usually isn't. YMMV.)
Pull the rear springs before removing the rear shocks. After disconnecting the bottom, but before fighting with the top, pull the springs out. This ended up getting me a lot more room to get my arm up there for that shock top nut.
Besides that, I have no idea how you managed to assemble the new struts with a rental spring compressor. I sure as hell wasn't up to it. I barely managed to get the stock ones separated, and had to have the shop assemble the new ones. I got them compressed as far as I could, and still needed ~2" before the top would go back on. Hardest part by far.
Thanks again!
Limbwalker
New member
Great video! Im about to redo mine (the 3" version 2.0 with better parts than the first time)and its been 3 years since I did this the first time thru my own cursing, trial and error. The angle of the top plate to the lower strut mount is a PITA if its off!! So, thanks for the refresh and new tips as I will be diving into this again this week
Last edited:
benjamin247
New member
What is the largest tire size I can use with this lift if I keep my stock 16" wheels?
Speedy- new to T4R.org...I know this is an older thread...but there are a ton of people like me just stumbling on your work for the first time...amazing job bro!
I just totaled my stock 97' limited two weeks ago...freeway/ice/2 wheel drive etc. It was sad to see her go... I salvaged the new 265/75/r16s off of the truck and was suprised when they didn't fit on my new 02' limited. I know now that the 01's-02's sit lower...So I either need to spend money on new smaller tires...or a lift. Which is really no descision at all
. Have you found that your springs have settled much over the last year+? Anything you would do differently? When ordering the front coils...there seems to be a lot of discussion on other threads about getting the correct tundra springs...does the part number you include eliminate that problem?...or is there some other trick to ordering?
Thanks for your help!!
Greg
I just totaled my stock 97' limited two weeks ago...freeway/ice/2 wheel drive etc. It was sad to see her go... I salvaged the new 265/75/r16s off of the truck and was suprised when they didn't fit on my new 02' limited. I know now that the 01's-02's sit lower...So I either need to spend money on new smaller tires...or a lift. Which is really no descision at all
. Have you found that your springs have settled much over the last year+? Anything you would do differently? When ordering the front coils...there seems to be a lot of discussion on other threads about getting the correct tundra springs...does the part number you include eliminate that problem?...or is there some other trick to ordering?Thanks for your help!!
Greg
benjamin247
New member
Woot woot! Got my lift installed. Here is a before and after. I bought my runner a few months ago with the suspension totally shot. Now it feels like what I think it would have felt like buying brand new 18 years ago.
Last edited:
Speedy
Member
Speedy- new to T4R.org...I know this is an older thread...but there are a ton of people like me just stumbling on your work for the first time...amazing job bro!
I just totaled my stock 97' limited two weeks ago...freeway/ice/2 wheel drive etc. It was sad to see her go... I salvaged the new 265/75/r16s off of the truck and was suprised when they didn't fit on my new 02' limited. I know now that the 01's-02's sit lower...So I either need to spend money on new smaller tires...or a lift. Which is really no descision at all
Thanks for your help!!
Greg
I wouldn't change a thing. The ride is better than it was stock, it's enough height to be "enough" for me, and it looks great. The spring P/N should make ordering easy.
Thanks! You just made this lift an easy decision. Found the TRD springs on line for around $135 a side....is that about right? GJD
Wow I just spent entirely too much time on the front left. This is a first time thing for me and I'm mechanically inclined but not all knowing and holy cow did the rust bust my a$$! Mines got 104k similar the yours speedy at the time of doing this but man it is dirty and the rust fights me every step of the way. On the way to the store now for newly stripped front lower strut bolt.
Your insight is accurate in every way but the 25 degree thing threw me for a loop. I was able to get the rig into the front and twist the lower portion of the strut while hanging, a huge relief! Wish I had known that before I stressed out so much bout the angle.
Your insight is accurate in every way but the 25 degree thing threw me for a loop. I was able to get the rig into the front and twist the lower portion of the strut while hanging, a huge relief! Wish I had known that before I stressed out so much bout the angle.
Last edited:
I'm in the same boat. Just bought my Runner and found no documentation of LBJ's being replaced, but I suspect they're on their way out.
At what point in this lift process is it best to do the LBJ's? In between disassembly and reassembly?
0xfded
New member
Pretty much. I removed mine, removed the old strut, installed the new strut (makes it much easier to get the new strut on, was a one man job for me), then replaced the LBJs. Moving the LCA is simple once it's unlinked from the UCA.
Similar threads
