My Tundra sways and sways

[tundrabrad]

Originally Posted by Phil_Deez2

And HELLWIG makes crap
Thanks in advance

Yup, the Hellwig ain't pretty - I didn't powdercoat but I repainted most of the bits - I bought mine used from a TS member.

What a huge difference in handling - I was on a nasty 11 mile long dirt/rock road coming out of a Boy Scout camp Monday - what a blast! I followed that with 30 miles of twisty pavement - even better!

The Tundra is my first truck and going around a corner used to scare the crap out of me! I'm a sports car guy - cut my teeth on a Triumph TR4A.

The Tundra doesn't scare me anymore - Hellwig equals confidence and fun!

Brad

[adamkn]

Originally Posted by KLS

Phil,

1) Put HD Bilstein shocks (not the TRD original equipment shocks) on all four corners.

2) Get the Hellwig sway bar, get it powder coated, get new nuts at your local hardware store, and install it.

3) Air up your tires.

The truck will handle well; I've done everything listed above except powdercoat the bar. The appearance of the bottom of my truck isn't a concern to me.


Ken

Hey Ken-

What type of nuts should I look for? Some type of locking nut, I assume, right?

Is it everyone's general recommendation that I should not even mess with the original nuts, just buy new ones? I'm not opposed to at least making an attempt to use to supplied parts, but if you guys are saying that they're crap, that they are likely to break or something under all the extra force it takes to screw those "crushed" nuts on, I wont bother with them.

Thanks!
Adam

[KLS]

You want self-locking nuts. The ones with the nylon insert work well. The nuts that come with the Hellwig package are OK if they fit, and if the U-bolts are long enough for two nuts on each, or whatever the Hellwig instructions say to do.

As someone said, lay the bar out on the ground and loosely attach all the hardware. After you find that everything fits and where it goes, take it apart, install the bar with everything loose, wiggle it until everything is correctly lined up, and tighten everything to the spec.


Ken

[longwoodklon]

I know about the wrong parts sometimes being sent, and of course the bar itself is not pretty. But if the parts fit, they function just fine. I've had mine for 40k miles now, and have hauled some heavy loads as well, but its still holding up well.
I agree with KLS about the shocks. Upgrade those all the way around and add the Hellwig bar. I am not sure about the 2004 models, but I know the older ones did not have progressive rate springs unless they had the TRD option. I would double check to see wither or not your truck has progressive springs in the front, and if not, upgrade those too.
Finally, the tires make a big difference. The stock tires are just too soft, get stiffer sidewall tires. Do all this and your truck will handle very nicely. Of course, you'll lose that 'Lexus' ride(which many feel is a good thing).
/Mike