Something feels off with leveling kit

Hi,

New to Toyota and Tundras, just picked up this 21 TRD SR5.

The dealer installed this lift/leveling kit @500 miles so I got to drive it prior and know what it handled like--great.

It's Toytec (I think 3 upfront) and maybe 1.5 block in the back. Tires are 35x12.5r18 Toyo Open Country A/T. Love the tires, had them on my Ford prior (though in 33s). But something is feeling off with the way the truck handles. More specifically the way it takes bumps. I would say I'm getting this kind of bobble/wave/ripple effect after hitting bumps in the road. I can't quite tell if it's coming from front or back tbh. You guys mind taking a look at some pics and see if anything looks off? Btw, is this small amount of clearance between the UCA ok?
The salesman at the dealer was running this exact combo of lift and tires and said it even enhanced the handling!! So I said perfect, lets do it. Now I am kinda scratching my head... I do absolutely love the way the truck looks.

Just from looking around myself tonight 2 things that stuck out were the gasket at the top of the coils looks weirdly compressed and goofy. And the rear leafs look cock-eyed but I have no idea what it should look like.

 

That shackle in pic does look a bit odd, almost looks twisted, could be the camera and I'm no expert. From the pics doesn't look like you have a sway bar, might "tighten" things up for you, but again, I'm no suspension expert. Nice Tundie btw.

 

When I threw on coachbuilder shackles a few years ago, I noticed the leafs were angled too and thought I messed something up during my install — check out the second half of the first post in this thread
https://www.tundras.com/threads/are-all-2gen-rear-ends-set-up-like-this.11733/

 

Can you get better pictures of the shackles. They look like loose on the top, or something going on with bushings.

 

Not sure if this helps at all. Yeah I was reading about the after market shackles and "poly" bushings.. I mean I don't see any* bushings here or at least where I thought there were supposed to be ones? Seems like there would be play in it. And on the front under the spacer, that rubber piece does not look like it fits right, it's all squished and mangled. When I spoke to the dealer earlier today he welcomed it back to have a look/drive so I'll do that.

I am thinking about overhauling the whole suspension setup though. Maybe 4/2. But I do not know a whole lot about it at this point. Just whatever I do I can't go changing these wheels/tires so that's gotta fit.

Ah ok so the angle is by design at least.

 

Dealer just added blocks and would not have touched the shackles. I don't think I have ever seen a lifted or leveled truck that was done at a dealer and done properly.

 

Is your issue only going up and over bumps, or is something also noticeable when taking turns?

Also confirming it looks like you are running 1.5” blocks in the rear with stock suspension..? And what is this about shackles..? If they only put blocks in they really have no reason to touch your shackles.

My thoughts when it comes to these things is typically start small and move up. If you notice something is off when also taking turns and not just going over bumps, I would drop your front sway bar and re torque it with the vehicle on the ground.. if torqued in the air it can get bound up in the bushings and make things feel very odd as it connects the front end suspension from side to side causing things to be even farther from an IFS front end with a sway bar should be.

 

You are probably feeling all the preload in the shocks from the spacer kit.

It doesn’t help that these trucks are super finicky with tire psi, alignment and overall road conditions. The steering is very touchy.

I’d suggest going over everything with a torque wrench. Don’t forget the rear U bolts.

Specifically the wheels, with the truck off the ground, loose all the lugs and re-torque them appropriately.

 

My issue is just bumps. Turns and drives good/fine otherwise I think.

I was trying really hard this morning to perceive where it was coming from exactly. Confident it's the rear. I'd sorta liken it to pulling an empty trailer when hitting a bump. The rear doesn't seem to absorb it well, kinda bounces off.

True yeah those should be fine then.

Yeah that's probably it tbh. Several at the dealer rave about it, but it's possible there's a difference simply because I have a DC and them SCs.

Seems that way. I'm running 39 PSI upfront 37 in back. I already don't want to go any lower PSI wise for gas mileage.


Thanks all

 

Do we feel Ok about UCA clearance? Is it a situation where if there's any clearance I'm good or is the tire going to bulge at the upper end some? Prob 1/4 inch of clearance.

 

You should be totally fine with that clearance on the UCAs, a lot of people running gaps similar to this without issue. Anyone running 12.5” wide tires on OEM wheels has something similar to this.

If it’s something in the rear as mentioned in my last post I would be concerned about those stock length shocks in the rear.

 

I think in general, a spacer and block type lift is going to feel less refined in certain situations compared to say, full coilover upgrades.

 

That would be my concern too. If the shocks are fully extended after hitting a bump they are not doing their job which is to keep the tire planted on the road.

 

spacer lifts preload the springs and will be firmer, harsher. There is more to it with spacer lifts, they change the geometry of the suspension and I am not going to go into all that. They are inexpensive, but do have drawbacks- not going to open that can of worms here. You can read about the pros/cons of the different

Bottom line, spacer lifts do not ride as well and that is part of what you are feeling. Then add in 35 inch, E load tires which will also ride harder and you will feel bumps, road imperfections more and overall drivability will not be what it felt like stock.