[BBT2000]

Hello everyone, I have a 2000 tundra ltd with a 4.5" Tuff Country Lift (i think). This lift was on it when I purchased it. The parts seem to match up from pictures I have researched. It has stock spindels with spacers. The truck came with 35s that rubbed some so I did a mod I found where I flattened out the pinch weld in the wheel well. That helped some. Now I'm at a point where I want to add a little more lift so the tires don't rub at all when fully compressed and strengthen my suspension at the same time. My questions are: can I add some 2.5" coilovers to this lift without removing any spacers so that I get lift from both the spacers and the coilovers? Tuff Country said I shouldn't do this. But it seems like lots of people do. I'm just not sure if people running coilovers with the tc lift take out the spacers. Tuff Country said to do a body lift. I want a bomb proof truck and it seems to me like I should be adding new 2.5" coilovers, icon uppers, and deaver leafs. Can I add this all on to my current lift without removing any spacers? Including the rear Deaver leaf? Any suggestions on an approach to take would be a great help. Im a newb if you can't tell.
Thanks!

 

[BBT2000]

Anybody?

 

[tundrunk]

:behindsofa:

I'm not honestly too familiar with the tc 4.5 lift. I imagine it uses some spacers in conjunction with a drop bracket... correct? I can't remember if it is that one or the rough country that have some kind of ball joint adapter. If it has the adapter it may not work with uniball uca's of that is what you are referring to. I was not aware that Icon made uca's. I know some guys here are on rough country 6'' lifts and use coilovers. I don't see why you can't use them the same way. If you are thinking of cranking them up to achieve more lift, :nono: That isn't going to work. You can most likely get away with having them on if they are set to stock height.

 

[Triple BB]

You'll break yer spindles if they don't have the reinforcement bracket that Tuff included with their later kits. You could spend some more coin if yer wanting bomb proof and buy their longer spindles. This will eliminate the spindle spacer. If you want to eliminate the coilover spacer, you'll need custom fabbed longer coilovers, probably something from King or SAW. I'd inquire about spring diameter of the 2" vs 2.5" coilovers you want. The more you crank up yer coilovers and the wider they are, there is a possibility they'll hit the spindle on full droop. This might be one reason why Tuff doesn't recommmend the combination. Jack up yer truck on the front and watch the tire droop and see how the coil approaches the spindle. It'll be considerably more exaggerated with a coilover cranked up 2.5". I wouldn't recommend going over 1.5".

 

[DevinSixtySeven]

Well...you're stuck with the drop bracket, so if you want it bombproof, get the 5" spindles from Tuff Country, and then see how your wallet is feeling.

I see you live in Denver...I'm just up the road, halfway between Denver and Boulder, so if you want a hand with it, shoot me a PM. I don't have a press, and you'd likely end up taking new spindles to the dealer simply because they have a large enough press and skill to not !$#% up the bearings etc. putting it back together...

...but honestly, given where you live and my assumption that you have a 4WD, get the 5" spindles so you can dispense with the spindle spacer before you do anything else. Once the weak link has been addressed, do whatever...but I can also recommend a few things for getting larger tires to fit, that will keep all the capability of the truck when you hit the dirt. I can fit 37" tires (tho I need to massage the top of the fender liner) and I think I only have an inch or three of "lift" (whatever that means anymore :lol.

Not that you'll want to run them necessarily. Stay with 35" tires, and make them fit with the lift you have. It'll work, and it'll wheel.

-Sean

 

[Beezwax]

are you 4X4 or 4X2?

i know you want a bulletproof suspension but you didnt actually say you are 4x4.

 

[Johnny_5]

Well...you're stuck with the drop bracket, so if you want it bombproof, get the 5" spindles from Tuff Country, and then see how your wallet is feeling.
-Sean

Any idea where I can get the 5" spindles? I have the 4.5" kit with the spacers now. I contacted Tuff Country about getting a set, but they never got back to me.

 

[big-o]

Yes, Tuff is located here in Utah. I would recommend calling Jack-it Suspension in Utah (801-974-7960) and talk with Tyler or Todd. They have a great connection with Tuff, and should be able to get that part for you. Definitely get rid of the spindle spacer.

 

[Johnny_5]

Thanks for the info

 

[Triple BB]

If you can't afford the longer spindles, go with the brackets. They're more than adequate. I hunt 50 - 60 days a year not including scouting and fishing. My suspension has been worked harder than most. Broke the right side rack & pinion mount when I dropped off a 3' ledge into a rock while elk hunting a few years ago. Refabbed and welded things up. I later hit a 16" - 18" rock with the right tire while going down hill in deep snow and broke the rack & pinion center mount right off the subframe. Gimped it home and welded the thing back on as well as added some additional metal to make sure it doesn't break again. Given how hard I've wheeled it, the spindles with the reinforcement brackets have not given me a single problem. Expected them to break at some point so I could get the longer spindles. Can't justify replacing something that keeps on ticking...

 

[Johnny_5]

The lift was on the truck when I bought it, so I don't know if it already has the brackets or not. What do the brackets look like? Mine has a piece that is u-bolted to the spindle. The top of this piece is mounted btw. the spacer and top of spindle. I've seen the brackets advertised, but haven't seen a pic. I don't do any extreme offroading, just beat around the farm.

 

[BBT2000]

Thanks everyone for the info. Its a 4x4 (sorry). I am going give a call to Jack-It in Utah-thanks Big-O. I will have to see the price difference between the brackets and the longer spindles to make a decision. I would rather remove the spacer as suggested. Makes more since to me. Then I'm thinking I will try and get the custom coilovers. DevinSixtySeven might take you up on that offer thanks alot. I will post prices of the brackets and the longer spindles once I figure it out. Thanks again!

 

[BBT2000]

Just talked to Tyler at Jack-It Suspension-very helpful. The larger spindles are $475/ea. Also have to replace the c/o spacers which are $72 ea. Looks like $1094 plus tax and shipping to upgrade spindles. The 5" kit is around $1600. Didn't get prices of the brackets. I decided to just get rid of the spacer completely. The lift in the rear for both kits is the same. Hopefully will be ordering soon. SWEEEEET!

 

[DevinSixtySeven]

I just check this thread for the avatars :lol:.

Glad you're sorting it out properly! If you'd like to get it dirty, see the middle of nowhere in person, stuff like that...come over to COTTORA and say hi.

www.cottora.org...click on the Colorado forum link.

-Sean

 

[Tyler Symington]

TC kits are great . . I wouldn't but anything else. . but you should really really really save up for the matching spindles for that kit . . there are two kits for th 4.5 tc one with the tc spindles, one w/o (which is $500 less). Your problems will be solved if you get those tc spindles and do it right.