Does lifting Tundra need a needle bearing upgrade like the Tacoma?

Looking to put deposit for a Tundra, and I want to lift it. Whether I do it myself or have the dealer install the TRD Lift Kit.

I had a 3rd Gen Tacoma that I lifted and did the ECGS Bushing upgrade.

Do Tundras also need that done? Or is it safe to just lift and forgo that bushing?

 

I am not aware of a needle bearing upgrade required on the Tacoma or any of the 120 or 150 series trucks(FJ/4Runner/Lexus GX). Never heard of a single person doing it in the GX offroad groups im in.

But short answer is no.

 

I scoured TacomaWorld for a while (maybe a year), saw several posts on it too, where after folks added a lift, then the front driver side needle bearing started to go bad.

I didn't see many, if any, posts here about doing it for the Tundra. I did see where some folks have done it, but they are older posts with no activity. Maybe not much of an issue on the Tundras. I'll also ask around in tacomaworld to see if anyone there has any experience with needing/not needing to replace it.

A few posts like this one there:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/needle-bearing-yes-replace-it-ecgs.716338/

 

Here's the official thread for you to read, I don't recall seeking anyone did this

https://www.tundras.com/threads/3rd-gen-suspension-lift-mega-thread.108483/page-46#post-3312320

 

Thanks! I guess it must be a Tacoma 3rd Gen issue then, I'm not seeing anything in there related to that issue on a Tundra.

Is also a good read as I get ready to decide on dealer installing the TRD Lift or doing my own lift - there's a few more parts on the newer Tundra than the Tacoma.

 

And here's the official Trd lift post for you to study https://www.tundras.com/threads/22-tundra-trd-suspension-lift-kit.112901/page-28#post-3313528

It seems that the only reason to do Trd lift is if you want to preserve the warranty... Sort of, as they won't really cover everything if you break it while off roading.

It seems that dobinson has pretty good lift kits that everybody likes.

 

Thanks for sharing! I need to bookmark these links. I like the warranty, also lots of folks like the TRD Kit. Dobsons have some good kits.

My initial thoughts are have dealer install the TRD Kit, then do small upgrades here and there after racking up some miles on it. ie. new shocks, springs, any worn parts.

I think even Jeep says they don't recommend off-roading in the Wrangler fine print. Not that exactly, but some similar wording. Basically, have fun, but don't full send like a stadium truck

 

I'm having to replace the needle bearing in my 2nd gen for the harmonic noise it's making @ 30mph or less. From what I've read it's a common problem in Toyotas. That being said, my Tundra had been making that noise since I bought it used with 130k on the ODO. I now have 260k+. So, other than the sound annoyance, it doesn't look like it will cause a catastrophic failure. My truck has never been lifted.

 

Most of the stuff you read on tacomaworld are followers. The ‘followers’ I am referring to do things because others did it, not because there was an actual problem.

If you’ll do more reading, read diff breather must be modified. Not required. Must replace needle bearing after lift. Not required. Must have your truck tuned. Not required. Ac drain mod. Not required.

The list goes on and on. Tacomas are the most popular truck on the market by a landslide. They’re extremely capable for doing so many things and lasting forever doing it. Due to their popularity, they’re also the most customizable due to the market as more Tacomas are produced every year than any other midsized truck on the market and have been for many years now to the sum of over double the next in line from the other competitors (Chevy, ford, dodge). For this reason, just like jeeps, the aftermarket industry is massive for Tacomas and this is noticeable for tundra owners who have previously owned and customized their previous Tacoma.

Anyway, do things because you need or want to and not just because others are doing it.