Well, the Titan Swap has happened! Started Thursday night and I've been basically working non stop all weekend and in the evenings up until last night when I was able to do a test drive. I would be lying if I said I wasn't anxious about this process, as this is my daily driver... A huge round of thanks to my understanding fiancee, parents for borrowing the garage and TNX members
@Glamisdude,
@AlbatrossCafe,
@jeffnjm3,
@Lizardking and others for taking the time to answer my many questions on their setups. Wouldn't have been able to gather the right info without them testing the waters themselves. That's why this forum is awesome!
First impressions:
Initially I was like holy balls this thing is tall (sat at 39.75 front and 41 rear). Luckily it settled to 37.75" front ground to fender and 40" rear ground to fender. Droop up front is measured at 41.5" which is basically full shock extension and when my Rough Country UCA's hit. Hub to fender is at 23" so basically 4" over stock and likely still to settle a tad. No binding anywhere else. I was able to garage align the truck decently and it took two rounds of bleeding the brakes to get the pedal feel back. It drives really well, although I've noted that my ABS doesn't seem to kick on unless I really slam on the brakes (think there is air in ABS system) and my rear end is rather high which is causing vibrations from 28-35mph even with a 3 degree shim.
Things I still need to accomplish:
- Get real alignment
- Fix ebrake cables (they are all plumbed and somewhat work, but when both mounts near the spring and joiner for the ebrake handle are connected, the ebrake is tensioned too tightly)
- Check ABS system and potentially bleed (unsure here still)
- Drill out front right CV flange bolt that I so lovingly snapped off (long story, but though I cleaned the rust out of the threads and didn't do it enough)
- Lower rear height (if it doesn't settle)
- Wire E locker (tested it does work, now just need to run lines)
- Retorque EVERYTHING
- Install Extended bumpstops
- Install 3-4" lift Bilstein 5125's
Now onto the swap. Starting out.
"While I'm in there" phase... replaced hubs, rotors and pads up front.
Rough country UCA's in.
Comparison shot. I opted to go with the Tundra Bilsteins with custom top hats and 2013 FJ cruiser springs. Thanks to
@jeffnjm3,
@Lizardking,
@Glamisdude and
@jsexton for testing this setup extensively. Their take on it is spot on, and the front feels wider, but drives just like my old lifted OME setup.
Out with the old, in with the new. My front diff has given me headaches from the beginning what with being shipped with a snapped flange. Found a replacement and promptly snapped a bolt off in the uncleaned threads (kids, learn from me). Still need to figure this out, but 5 out of 6 should be road drive-able until I can get a chance to drill out and clean threads.
Snapped bolt
LCA, UCA, new inner and outer tie rods and new hub in. Left everything loose to be able to pull the UCA off and get my axle and shock in easier.
Tundra Bilsteins in! Note that mine had the green and yellow as driver side coil (longer).
Passenger side all buttoned up with new brakes and rotors.
Inital height up front. Lawd jesus.
The rear axle was thankfully a cake walk. I rebuilt my OME medium duty leaf packs following jeffnjm3's setup using an ebay AAL with pucks on the ends and the HD OME leaf. I have a full drawer setup in the back so weight was sagging the old setup, and this is also perfect for the inevitable rear tire carrier I'd like to try and get down the road. I need to lower it down a hole on the shackles still.
Old axle out.
New axle prep.
Leaf springs rebuilt.
New axle in.
And how she sat after all freshly installed. Settled quite a bit after driving it.
I will have my entire old setup and diffs for sale here soon which includes the following:
OME medium duty front coils with 1.5" lift spacer
OME rear shocks
SPC UCA's
OEM LCA's
OEM Tie Rods Inner and outer
Rear C200k 3.13 axle without brakes
Front R180 3.13 diff
Front R180 halfshafts
