2002 Tacoma Build

[roving1]

Yeah both my front bearings exploded and pressed out past the c clips the wrong way retaining them and destroyed them. About 36 hours before I was leaving the country for work. Luckily it did not damage the knuckle. But I had to drive 2 hours to find a dealer with the snap rings to get the thing out of my place of employments shop before I left.

Both ARB and Wheelers off road talked me out of 882 springs. I went with 881. I'm not sure that was a good idea. My ride height probably sagged 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch after putting 500 miles on fully loaded. It rides great but the height is a touch low and really low compared to my rear end. But I confirmed the driver side strut has the trim packer in it but still only has about 1 1/4" over stock at 22.5 inches from wheel hub to flare. My driver side has 23.5. I am beginning to think I have an 880 coil on the LF by mistake but I don't know where the mark or part number is yet. Something is definitely wrong though with that big a difference AND the trim packer.

I also wonder if they redid the rating for the rears, either the main Dakar pack or the extra leaf. The site says for +220 over stock in the bed all the time and my 400lbs barely makes a dent and even 1000lbs in the bed isn't even making it level. Well it's always something.

If you get bored measure the center of your hubs to the bottom of the fender flare front and rear. I am really curious what your measurements are.

 

[jgallo1]

it definitely seems like something is wrong for you to have over an 1" difference. I am actually not with the truck at the moment. Next weekend, when I get back to it, I will give it a measure. Maybe the 882 give it the extra lift to keep the front components from rubbing.

good luck with trying to get that worked at out.

 

[roving1]

I forgot to answer... I am running very similar tires. 235/85R16, 32"x9.3". I think narrow 32" tires are perfect for these trucks. I re-geared to 4:56 also which with the 2.7 is perfect with a slightly higher overall gear ratio.

 

[jgallo1]

The re-gear is on the list. I want to rhino line the bed and add some sound deadening to the doors first. Then I will re-gear. Did you notice a huge improvement with the re-gear?

 

[bkg]

The re-gear is on the list. I want to rhino line the bed and add some sound deadening to the doors first. Then I will re-gear. Did you notice a huge improvement with the re-gear?

definitely go 4.88's. Not worth it at all do go 4.56's, IMHO. Few threads here about the mathematics involved.

I put about 100# of deadening in my doublecab. It helped, but i honestly think I need more. The guy who did my 3rd gen 4Runner made it insanely quiet.

 

[PHXtaco]

Great to see some low mile, clean looking 1st gens still being found to be built up!

 

[roving1]

definitely go 4.88's. Not worth it at all do go 4.56's, IMHO. Few threads here about the mathematics involved.

I put about 100# of deadening in my doublecab. It helped, but i honestly think I need more. The guy who did my 3rd gen 4Runner made it insanely quiet.

4:56 is plenty for 32" tires which is what we both have. I can hold onto 5th everywhere but I 70 in the rockies sort of situation while still being able to cruise at 72 at around 3,200. Any more gear would kill the freeway cruising. For taller tires sure. Plus a manual makes a huge difference. The gearing in the auto trans sucks and I would definitely do 4:88's. Can't remember if OP has an auto now

 

[bkg]

4:56 is plenty for 32" tires which is what we both have. I can hold onto 5th everywhere but I 70 in the rockies sort of situation while still being able to cruise at 72 at around 3,200. Any more gear would kill the freeway cruising. For taller tires sure. Plus a manual makes a huge difference. The gearing in the auto trans sucks and I would definitely do 4:88's. Can't remember if OP has an auto now

for a 5-speed, I do not disagree. For an auto, I absolutely disagree. I think 3-3200 RPM is a sweet spot for the 3.4 @ cruise... So I'd again argue that I a person could do 5.29's w/o an issue (in an auto)

 

[bkg]

I ran 5.29 with 33" tires, although in 22R-E/W56 equipped truck, on the basis that I wanted to get back to the stock combination (e.g. equivalent of 4.10 + 29.5") plus a bit to compensate for extra tire mass. It was frustratingly slow although I could keep up with traffic on high passes in 4th gear. Eventually went back to struggling a bit more on climbs just to get the RPMs down at >65 MPH. Gearing can't really substitute for lack of power, be that from high elevation or just the fact that your engine isn't an LS3. So you're going to have to get comfortable with momentum and not letting up on the throttle unless you want your practical top speed to be 62 MPH.

no replacement for displacement.

I ran 4.88's on 32x11.50/15's on a 1990 reg cab for a couple of years. I loved that truck (other than lack of AC). Was a great combo. Sold it to a buddy who ran that combo into the ground. /I've owned waaaay to many vehicles