My Mild 200 Series Lift

[TJsTACOMA]

I am finally getting some lift on my 200. I have wheeled my 200 in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah on stock suspension and never had any major issues or could not get where I was going. I had a 3" lift on my 2012 Tacoma and got all the little annoyances that come with it like vibrations, noises, CV boot wear and crappy ride. The 200 rides like a dream and I really did not want to lose that. After seeing pictures with my 200 hooked up to my trailer I realized that I had to do something to keep it from sagging in the rear. I know I don't want a 3" lift so after much reading and help from people on here I decided to add the Firestone airbags and OME rear spacers (thanks for the write up @MScruiser) to help out on the rear. For the front I am doing the strut top plate spacer ( thanks @arich) This combo should give me the lift I need to keep level while towing the trailer and some extra room to tuck in the tires when needed.
I had some free time this past Saturday so I decided to tackle the rear part of it since I was still waiting on 1 front spacer from Toyota that actually came in today as I was at the dealership getting an oil change. The directions that came with the airbags are pretty good, but not everyone has done this kind of work before. Tools needed is very minimum. 12, 14, 17, 19mm sockets, 7/8 for lugnuts and impact guns help if you have access to that and a compressor. Floor jack and jackstands. And a big prybar. I started with the driver side by first opening the KDSS valves then proceeded to get the vehicle on the jack stands. Remove the lower shock bolt and rear sway bar bracket that attaches to the axle. Unbolt the rear diff breather and brake tube bracket from axle housing. Remove the passenger side stabilizer bar from the link. last remove the driver side bolt from the rear lateral rod. After this you should be able to drop the axle and remove the springs. Here come the pics.

GETTING STARTED

BEFORE

DRIVER SIDE OUT

CUT OE BUMPSTOP. (in firestone instructions)

ALL BACK IN WITH SPACER AND AIR LINE GOING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE SPRING SEAT

 

[TJsTACOMA]

BOTH AIRBAGS INSTALLED AND AIR LINES HANGING

MOUNTED VALVES IN THE REAR BUMPER INSTEAD OF UNDERNEATH

AFTER LIFT AND NO AIR IN BAGS (almost 3")

10psi IN BAGS AND TEST DRIVE.

Getting in and out I could really tell the difference in the height. The ride is very good and slightly firmer in a good way. Very pleased with this combo. Install only took a couple of hours by myself. Only small issue was prying down on the passenger side to get the spring back in, but I got it.

 

[TJsTACOMA]

Project for this weekend

 

[delmandi]

Looks great, good job wth the install. What OME coils did you use?

 

[ntsaint]

Looks like he went back in with the OEM coils?

@TJsTACOMA are you saying you got 3" lift per "AFTER LIFT AND NO AIR IN BAGS (almost 3")" ?

The fronts are pretty easy, just go ahead and unbolt everything that's attached up there, it all needs to be loose for the top of the strut to clear the bucket.

 

[Romer]

Nice job, love the color

 

[arich]

Looks great, Just one comment,
Wouldn't you want the air hose on the bottom of the bags so any condensation could escape or be purged? Ant

 

[TJsTACOMA]

Looks great, Just one comment,
Wouldn't you want the air hose on the bottom of the bags so any condensation could escape or be purged? Ant

Are you talking about the line coming from the top of the air bag? The instructions call for the line going up. If the line went to the bottom of the bag you would have to compensate for all the axle flex and extra line could get hung up or cut. With the line being on the top it is fixed to the body and the bag does not move within the spring so there is no need for extra line to allow for flex. I am new to this type of set so I am taking it as I go. I did not cut my airlines when I installed so I have plenty extra if I need to change something.

 

[TJsTACOMA]

Looks like he went back in with the OEM coils?

@TJsTACOMA are you saying you got 3" lift per "AFTER LIFT AND NO AIR IN BAGS (almost 3")" ?

BEFORE
LR was 17 3/8
RR was 18 1/4
AFTER
LR 20 1/4
RR 20 1/2

The ride is soooo much better now. Still soft, but less bouncy. Glad I went this route.

 

[MScruiser]

Paging @Archtaan . Archtaan to the white courtesy phone.

IIRC, Archtaan had big time condensation issues in his airbags. Because they filled from the top, the bags constantly seemed to collect water.

 

[TJsTACOMA]

The only way to drain would be to remove them. Do not see any other way and mounting them upside down would probably create bigger issues with the lines.

 

[kd5kuu]

Reviving an old thread hoping to glean some information before I do basically the exact same thing to my truck....
@TJsTACOMA -

1. Did the rear stay at ~3" higher after the airbags/Old Man Emu spacers, or did it settle down?
   
2. Did you note the actual height increase in the front with the Toyota spacers?

I'm thinking the front should have gone up about 7/8", and if the rear went up 3" then it sounds like you'd have some serious rake going on.

Thanks for any insight you can give me, I'm planning to do the strut spacers and air bags this winter in prep for spring.

 

[ckkone]

You might want to check but I think @indycole has a set of strut spacers for sale for a very good price.

 

[kd5kuu]

Thanks, I just PM'd him this morning! It seems I may not have been quick enough.

 

[Reckless]

Are strut spacers same as Toyota oem spacer? Are they for front only or do prople use them on rear?

 

[kd5kuu]

The ones that @indycole has for sale are the 10mm Toyota OEM spacers that are for front fitment only. In this thread you can see where @TJsTACOMA used Old Man Emu spacers in the rear, if that's what you're looking for (Post #1).

 

[Markuson]

Thanks, I just PM'd him this morning! It seems I may not have been quick enough.

I have two of the exact same, brand new Toyota spacers if you’d like them for the same $ as Cole’s sold his.

 

[Reckless]

I also have one for sale once Marks are sold

 

[kd5kuu]

PM'd @Markuson

 

[Markuson]

PM'd @Markuson

Hey there. I'm sorry. I'm actually having trouble figuring out where I put the spacers! I have them, and will locate them...but if you are in a hurry and Reckless has his available, go for it through him. No biggie either way. When I figure out what the heck I did with them, I'll post again here if you or anyone else is interested in them. PM-ing you as well.