It’s Never Just One Thing

[TacoCat64]

I purchased my ‘23 Tacoma TRD Off Road back in February. I’m new to off roading and 4WD vehicles. The truck had low miles and was immaculate and where I live, good 3rd gen Tacomas sell quick.

The previous owner put Falken Wildpeak AT4 33” tires on it and a 2” lift. I’ve never owned a modified vehicle before, so I had no idea what to look for. They also put a useless bull bar on front and steps on the side that are not rock sliders and so more of a hindrance than a help. I’ve pulled the bull bar off and will be pulling the steps this week.

I have since discovered that the lift wasn’t done properly. The tires were rubbing the UCAs, and the shocks were still stock. They added these cheesy upper sleeves to the shocks. I popped off a rock a few weeks ago and the left shock popped out of the sleeve. I replaced both rear shocks with Bilstein 5100s.

I’ve also purchased some 0 offset wheels from Method to move the tires away from the UCAs and I found a proper off road shop that will be addressing the lift situation and likely replace the UCAs in order to properly align it. One decision that was poorly informed has now led to a domino effect of me trying to put things right. It’s still a great truck and will be even better when I’m done, but I’ve had to put off fun stuff to do the right stuff.

Too bad the last owner didn’t do the same.

UPDATE: Okay, new SPC Upper Control Arms, new Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts front and back, new lift mount brackets in back, new Method Bead Grip wheels, a bit of a wheel well chop after alignment to fix rubbing, and I'm good to go. Now to go have some fun, FINALLY! Thanks to the guys at Hazzard Fab Works for putting the truck right.View attachment IMG_2779.jpg

 

[Dougnuts]

Depending on what you're looking for from the truck, maybe just install a front Eibach kit and TRD UCAs? Should be doable at home of you have air tools.

 

[TacoCat64]

Depending on what you're looking for from the truck, maybe just install a front Eibach kit and TRD UCAs? Should be doable at home of you have air tools.

I’m not really setup at home to work on it. I’m lucky in that I’ve got a great off road shop in town that can help me straighten this out. I’ll be doing some off roading, but nothing too crazy to start with and I’m a ground tent camper so I don’t put a ton of weight in the back or on the roof. I don’t have a r roof rack or bed rack, just a tonneau cover. I’d like to keep the weight down and center of gravity as low as I can while still maintaining good ground clearance.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

I purchased my ‘23 Tacoma TRD Off Road back in February. I’m new to off roading and 4WD vehicles. The truck had low miles and was immaculate and where I live, good 3rd gen Tacomas sell quick.

The previous owner put Falken Wildpeak AT4 33” tires on it and a 2” lift. I’ve never owned a modified vehicle before, so I had no idea what to look for. They also put a useless bull bar on front and steps on the side that are not rock sliders and so more of a hindrance than a help. I’ve pulled the bull bar off and will be pulling the steps this week.

I have since discovered that the lift wasn’t done properly. The tires were rubbing the UCAs, and the shocks were still stock. They added these cheesy upper sleeves to the shocks. I popped off a rock a few weeks ago and the left shock popped out of the sleeve. I replaced both rear shocks with Bilstein 5100s.

I’ve also purchased some 0 offset wheels from Method to move the tires away from the UCAs and I found a proper off road shop that will be addressing the lift situation and likely replace the UCAs in order to properly align it. One decision that was poorly informed has now led to a domino effect of me trying to put things right. It’s still a great truck and will be even better when I’m done, but I’ve had to put off fun stuff to do the right stuff.

Too bad the last owner didn’t do the same.

You are correct, sir. As with much of life, so it is with used trucks: it's never just one thing, and as we cross things off the list, twice as many other things repopulate that list. Fish or cut bait.

In this case, though, it appears the issues are mainly bolt-on fixes. You are wise to do it right.

10 years ago I had a 99 Grand Cherokee WJ. It needed new springs. When I was ready to di the springs, I got 2 inch lift Iron Rock offroad, new isolators, anti sway bar links, drag link and completely new tie rod. Then stuffed some Wrangler wheels and tires under it. I was glad I went the extra mile, as that thing was nice and tight when I was done.