Help .. Removing Body Lift

[snoxxy]

Hey all...

I have been a long time "lurker" and started posting recently, anyway, I searched this issue to no avail.
I bought my Tacoma not to long ago, and it has a Body lift installed, pretty sure it is a 3" lift. I really want to un-lift it, get it to stock height so my center of gravity will be lower.
in my search of what all will need to be done, I came across a couple things..
the bumper brackets are part of the lift, now can I just pull those brackets out or is there more to that as in, did the lift brackets replace OEM brackets.
same question with the radiator.
also the energy suspension bushing kit only has bushings for the cab, I called my toyota dealer and the parts guy said theree are no bushing on the bed, so is the bed as easy as removing the bushings and dropping it on the frame?
what about the steering, will that be a huge pain in the butt to undo ?
i can supply pictures if needed about what I mean and I do not know what kit was used, neither does the PO.

Thanks in advance

Phil

 

[java]

it should be all just removing things, all the brackets 'usually' just extend the stock stuff

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Like Java stated, it should be easy...but to be sure, how about posting a photo of that bracket?

Also, make sure if you have sliders or custom bumpers that they are also not needing modification. Because if you do, you would have to remove those, before removing your spacers.

 

[BKCowGod]

Funny - just did this yesterday on the Heep.

On mine, the only things I really had to change were the auto trans linkage and the transfer case linkage, both of which were custom fabbed. For you, just make sure you unhook everything. You will need new body bolts of course, but everything else should be a matter of removing extenders and going back to stock parts. If you know the brand (or even if you don't, they're probably all the same) most companies put the instructions on line. If that's the case, the famous line applies: Removal is the reverse of installation!

 

[Mr. Leary]

4Crawler

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/ToyotaTacoma.shtml

Get the upgraded mounts with a 0" lift kit. I think you will be pleased. This guy is great. He is helpful, has the the knowledge, and is willing to share it.

 

[Mr. Leary]

On your Taco, you will have to loosen the shifting linkage bolt before dropping. There is a two bolt assembly in the middle of your steering shaft. With a 3" lift, it will have spacers in it. Take them out and it will be stock. Take these out and leave it dangling while you move the body around, so as not to damage the steering. After you get back to stock height, adjust the shifting linkage and tighten the bolt. It is easy, so a little trial and error seems to work the best. There will be some hardware that you should reuse. There are some Toyota body mount washers inside the cab that will prevent slippage. Use these again if you can, they are specialty parts. I'm not sure exactly where your body mounts are, cuz' I have a 4Runner, but the drivetrains and many of the parts are the same, so I imagine there will be few differences.

Hope this helps, feel free to send me a message if you have any questions. I may be able to dig up some pics.:ylsmoke:

 

[snoxxy]

Well, it is back to stock height... and what a project that was....

First.... the rear bumper brackets, which on a 3" lift are just flipped left to right and turned upside-down, were welded on. After a hefty discussion with the cutoff wheel, the bumper and bracket decided to part.
Then the middle of the bed had welded spacers, which also had a discussion with the cutoff wheel, and of course the cutoff wheel won this discussion as well.
So after the bed was dropped, we stopped for the day because it was hotter then hell here ( Arkansas ) and pretty damn humid.
Then today we tackled the cab.....
The radiator was obviously on drop brackets, so I rested the radiator on a bucket while we lowered the cab.
The steering spacer was seized in place.... the cutoff wheel wanted to discuss this with the spacer, but a hammer stepped in preventing the worst.
After that was done, I took apart my center console, just to see that my shifters had a 3" extension welded on. AWESOME !!!
So now I have everything back together, but my shifters are MAD tall, its funny and I am actually considering leaving them that way.

All in all, which various breaks, and re-hydration stops, and some friends coming over shooting the ****, took me about 12 hours, this includes running to the parts store a few times for this part and that part.
Learned a lot.
Thanks for all the advice with the 4crawler kit.

Phil

 

[redthies]

Thats a long time to rip out some junk! I once put one of those in a toyota for somebody and it only took about three hours!

 

[snoxxy]

it is a long time, but I also didn't have he cut-off wheel yet, when the pizza guy shows up I obviously have to stop the work ... well you know how it goes, plus I was trying to be as carfull as possible with everything.