tacoma suspension up grades
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p1michaud
Expedition Leader
The install is complete!
Hi again folks. Well after a long wrenching session and the help of a friend the new springs and shocks are now installed! :victory: Wow what a difference in ride quality, lift and flex. We spent 6 solid hours doing the replacement but did not use any air tools and ran into a few problems with bolts being seized or fused to the metal sleeve of the bushings on the existing springs. We basically followed the instructions of the Factory Service Manual and the write up on expeditionswest but where we wan in to trouble was in this step: “After the ubolts are removed, the spring mounting bolt at the front of the pack needs to be removed. As the bolt is removed from the spring bushing it is necessary to hold the spring pack to prevent it from dropping. ”
Way easier said than done if your truck is not relatively new or you that live in rust prone climates area. After attempting to pry, beat and press the bolt out we had to cut it just inside the spring hanger using a mini grinder and zip cut disk. We had to do this on both sides. What a PITA! :ar15: Luckily I had purchased one new replacement bolt for just this reason but I needed two. I used a ½” Grade 8 bolt as a temporary measure. The stock replacement bolt was 0.540” diameter so I figured that a 0.500” would be a suitable temporary replacement until the part arrives. So a word of caution for those of you who do this, I'd recommend purchasing two new replacement bolts and have them there in case you need them. Cheap insurance!
After inspecting the old leaf springs, we found that I had one broken leaf on each side. :Wow1: This attributed to the sag and rough ride. I knew one leaf was broken but not two. These leafs were stock replacements that were two years old! I had them re-arched after 6 months of use and added an extra leaf and they lasted another 18 months. Not the type of performance I had expected especially for the price I had paid. Nearly the $500 at the time. Too bad I did not go the Deaver or Alcan route back then!
Cheers :beer:,
P
Hi again folks. Well after a long wrenching session and the help of a friend the new springs and shocks are now installed! :victory: Wow what a difference in ride quality, lift and flex. We spent 6 solid hours doing the replacement but did not use any air tools and ran into a few problems with bolts being seized or fused to the metal sleeve of the bushings on the existing springs. We basically followed the instructions of the Factory Service Manual and the write up on expeditionswest but where we wan in to trouble was in this step: “After the ubolts are removed, the spring mounting bolt at the front of the pack needs to be removed. As the bolt is removed from the spring bushing it is necessary to hold the spring pack to prevent it from dropping. ”
Way easier said than done if your truck is not relatively new or you that live in rust prone climates area. After attempting to pry, beat and press the bolt out we had to cut it just inside the spring hanger using a mini grinder and zip cut disk. We had to do this on both sides. What a PITA! :ar15: Luckily I had purchased one new replacement bolt for just this reason but I needed two. I used a ½” Grade 8 bolt as a temporary measure. The stock replacement bolt was 0.540” diameter so I figured that a 0.500” would be a suitable temporary replacement until the part arrives. So a word of caution for those of you who do this, I'd recommend purchasing two new replacement bolts and have them there in case you need them. Cheap insurance!
After inspecting the old leaf springs, we found that I had one broken leaf on each side. :Wow1: This attributed to the sag and rough ride. I knew one leaf was broken but not two. These leafs were stock replacements that were two years old! I had them re-arched after 6 months of use and added an extra leaf and they lasted another 18 months. Not the type of performance I had expected especially for the price I had paid. Nearly the $500 at the time. Too bad I did not go the Deaver or Alcan route back then!
Cheers :beer:,
P
Last edited:
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
Hey P, great news! :victory: Man, that rust is the devil! :smileeek:
Two broken leafs?? You deserve to run the super secret, coveted mexican backcountry route called "sick spring road".
If you ever come down this way, just ask Al Walter about it and we'll set you up. It is named after him
Two broken leafs?? You deserve to run the super secret, coveted mexican backcountry route called "sick spring road".
If you ever come down this way, just ask Al Walter about it and we'll set you up. It is named after him
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Broken leafs and bumpy ride
Yep, it was worth in when I took it for a test drive. :elkgrin: I also tested the rear flex and whoa I did not know that the Taco was capable of such flex!
Perhaps some day, I'll get to visit down your way. I've been thinking about it for quite some time now. "sick spring road" nice one. I know how that feels.
Cheers :beer:,
P
BajaTaco said:Hey P, great news! :victory: Man, that rust is the devil! :smileeek:
Two broken leafs?? You deserve to run the super secret, coveted mexican backcountry route called "sick spring road".
Yep, it was worth in when I took it for a test drive. :elkgrin: I also tested the rear flex and whoa I did not know that the Taco was capable of such flex!
Perhaps some day, I'll get to visit down your way. I've been thinking about it for quite some time now. "sick spring road" nice one. I know how that feels.
Cheers :beer:,
P