ColoradoTJ tow rig build

Last evening I attempted to install my front struts. This ended up being a huge fail.

Drivers side: one of the alignment bolts might be rusted in. This allows the lower control arm to drop free to install the strut assembly. (Pretty cool design from Toyota) I can move it out of the way with a little persuasion. The air tool that I was using isn't the most powerful and may just use and air over hydraulic tool. If 5k ft pounds of torque doesn't break the bolt free.....

Second issue after getting both struts out, my spring compressor would not fit around the massive springs. As you can imagine, a few choice and well deserved words came out of my mouth.

Today I ordered two new strut mount kits and rented the proper tools and will assemble the shocks up first.

With any luck, tonight will go a hell of a lot better with the install.

 

Will do Monday night. I should have both installed by then. Only one installed now and cannot give a good review.

However, I did install the shackles and one 5160 shock on the drivers rear. These past two days after work, when getting on the highway was the first time since owning this truck the traction control light did not come on. At the top of the ramp to the highway there is a bump that has set my TC off every time unless I am doing 35 mph.

 

This is turning into a little bit of a PITA. All the parts stores spring compressors will not fit and lock on the Bilstein springs. I may just buy new spring plates, take the damn shocks into a shop that has a hydraulic compressor and pay them to assemble them. I have already spent the money in fuel and time attempting to find some spring compressors that will work properly.

Something to consider when ordering this kit. Some vendors like @dirtydeeds offers this service for 110.00. At this point, it would have been worth it to just go this route.

On a side note, some of these parts store employees make me shake my head. The last place I went was Checker/O'Reilly. I showed the manager that the spring compressor would go on the spring, just the locks would not work. Get this, he then says "just use a big zip tie and you should be fine"... when he seen the look on my face, he then said "you could always just use a couple per side". sigh....

 

Good information. I would rather keep this out of PMs so others can learn from this.

So do you have a picture of what you are talking about? I'm pretty much certain I know, but others may not.

Thanks for the tech!

 

Just an FYI, this is what @Vizsla is talking about.

This is a video of our own @dirtydeeds vendor.

 

I think he was referring to physically helping you as he's in Littleton.

 

LMFAO...oops, I did not catch that even on the rebound.

Thanks @Vizsla for the generous offer to help a fellow Tundra guy out. Appreciate that.

 

Thanks again. I'm just going to have a local place put them together. Now if you want to help install them, now that is a different story. All the beer you can drink and a steak dinner is in your future.

 

Never even heard about that. Exactly the kind of information that needs to be put out there.

What about the lower control arms? I have one on the drives side that is being a PITA. The alignment shop with have to break it free though.

 

Here are my measurements...

Before anything was done:

Front 36 5/8 both sides. After 78K miles I still do not have this "lean" some get. Not sure why, maybe I am the chosen one.
Rear 39 1/2 & 39 3/4. So there is a little lean there.

After:

Front 40 1/2 & 40 1/4. So by installing shims I gave myself lean. Good call on that one...

Rear 40 5/8 & 40 7/8

So pretty much leveled my truck without any rake. I am pissed. This isn't a very hard job, just takes a few hours and some elbow grease...sucks nonetheless anyhow.

The Bilstein 6112 kit on the 3rd setting up is supposed to give me 1.9" of lift plus the CB shims, which should have been under 2.5" of lift.

So today was a huge waist of money all together. I paid a local shop to assemble the struts. That was 30.00 plus 40.00 for the new spring plates. I'm not sure that tomorrow I will just use some spring compressors I can get from the store and then drop the clip down to the 1.3" average lift, remover the CB shims since I do not need them. Hell, I may just take them down to the lowest setting. I would like 2" of rake.

Not happy.

 

Go break something on your Tundra....

 

You're a good man sir!!

 

Gas tank is full.

What is your take on this? Should I go to the 1.3" lift or .75", use only one shim on drivers side and take the one out on the passenger side? I'm also not sure if I received the 600 or 700 lb springs. It does not state on the side of the coil.

 

Well it was Coachbuilder that told me what I needed. Guess I will have 2 shims for sale soon.

So what you are saying is drop down one more setting, pull shim out on passenger side, pull one shim out on drivers side and I should be good.

Once again, thank you for your help.

 

Thanks. Glad I didn't put the shock on the highest setting.

I'm coming down to the second setting, pulling the one driver and one on passenger. That should be good.