Need help on lift - (edit: post lift questions... picture included)

[Just a Ninja]

So only shop near me that does lifts hasn't done much on LCs. I don't have time to do it myself so that shop is my only option for now. 2013 and a Toughdog lift with UCAs just fyi.

It's at the shop. Called to check on it and they said one of the KDSS valves just wouldn't let loose so they're going to try to install without loosening one on the valves.

What am I looking at? Is that possible? Is it going to cause issues? Quick help would be awesome since this is a real time problem.

Thanks guys!!

 

[ckkone]

Yes its possible, they might need jack up the front KDSS piston to get bolt holes to line back up and what not.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Not a good idea. Now the KDSS will be unbalanced and there is a “possibility” that it will handle like crap.

Both valves need to be released, that needs to be fixed for handling reasons.

You can get coils in and out without releasing KDSS (it sucks, but it can be done) however, that doesn’t solved the unbalanced KDSS issue.

 

[Just a Ninja]

So picked up the LC... they got the lift on and supposedly got the KDSS opened up correctly and closed correctly, I haven't had time to check for myself.

I like the lift so far except one thing... it's about 1.5-2inches taller than it was supposed to be. Toughdog adjustable setup and was supposed to be 2" front and 1" rear. Came out to be more like nearly 3" all around. An inch or so may not sound like a lot but that particular inch makes a pretty big difference. I did get them adjusted to where it drives really nice, not much body roll and still soaks up some huge potholes.

But I'm really not crazy about the height. I'm assuming it will settle a little but not enough to make a difference right? Any ideas on how to bring it down slightly without going back to stock?

Thanks

And of course, picture or it didn't happen: (Doesn't look nearly as dramatic in the picture as it feels in person)

 

[Markuson]

So picked up the LC... they got the lift on and supposedly got the KDSS opened up correctly and closed correctly, I haven't had time to check for myself.

I like the lift so far except one thing... it's about 1.5-2inches taller than it was supposed to be. Toughdog adjustable setup and was supposed to be 2" front and 1" rear. Came out to be more like nearly 3" all around. An inch or so may not sound like a lot but that particular inch makes a pretty big difference. I did get them adjusted to where it drives really nice, not much body roll and still soaks up some huge potholes.

But I'm really not crazy about the height. I'm assuming it will settle a little but not enough to make a difference right? Any ideas on how to bring it down slightly without going back to stock?

Thanks

And of course, picture or it didn't happen: (Doesn't look nearly as dramatic in the picture as it feels in person)
View attachment 1983940

If they did manage to loosen a stuck KDSS valve screw...they have solved a major potential headache for you!

Easy to check. Just get under your driver side and see if both hex screws looses even a tiny bit. If they do...you’re golden...and should immediately wire brush it clean and apply some think marine or other grease to keep it from rusting shut again.

 

[ckkone]

Looks perfect.

 

[Sandroad]

East fix. Front and rear bumpers, winch, 2nd spare and gear on the rear bumper, RTT, etc. See build threads in the FAQs for ideas.

 

[blatant]

I think it looks good. Maybe the OEM running boards to help to not wreck the seat bolsters. Easy to get high enough between lift and tires to make getting in and NOT sliding out almost impossible. ( at least the oem boards are more dinky than sliders ) or moreso sliders if you're going to beat on it.

 

[Just a Ninja]

I think it looks good. Maybe the OEM running boards to help to not wreck the seat bolsters. Easy to get high enough between lift and tires to make getting in and NOT sliding out almost impossible. ( at least the oem boards are more dinky than sliders ) or moreso sliders if you're going to beat on it.

Yeah that's a good idea... I've got the stock running boards in the garage, I just need to throw them back on until the BudBuilt step sliders get here in a month or so

Looks perfect.

Ok that's what I needed to hear I guess. Never seen a lifted 200 in person and just thought it was way to high at first. I'm getting used to it the more I drive it this evening.

East fix. Front and rear bumpers, winch, 2nd spare and gear on the rear bumper, RTT, etc. See build threads in the FAQs for ideas.

NOW you're talking... Perfect excuse to build it on out sooner than later. Just wish there was someone I could get aluminum front and rear bumpers from without a 6 month wait.

 

[blatant]

Here's mine before and after. Yanked the running boards at once. 2 weeks later had the preferred, great resource, dealership install ome, uca's, toyos, align etc and it added inches. Wife didn't like climbing in. Boards back on. Yours looks legit.

 

[Just a Ninja]

Here's mine before and after. Yanked the running boards at once. 2 weeks later had the preferred, great resource, dealership install ome, uca's, toyos, align etc and it added inches. Wife didn't like climbing in. Boards back on. Yours looks legit.

Ok yeah yours looks really good. I think it is looked way taller in person. And I was expecting 2 inches in the front and got 3.

What size tires you running? I've got 285/65/18 and they look just a little small after the lift, but I'll probably run them till they wear out.

 

[blatant]

275/70/18 and there's room to adjust if so desired. Check out the tire size doc / thread that shows all the options folks are running with or w/o lift. Keep in mind when you went from stock tires to what you're running now, you added to "lift" as well.

 

[Just a Ninja]

275/70/18 and there's room to adjust if so desired. Check out the tire size doc / thread that shows all the options folks are running with or w/o lift. Keep in mind when you went from stock tires to what you're running now, you added to "lift" as well.

Hmm... Looks like that tire is about 0.75" taller and about the same amount narrower.. that would probably be perfect. After the 1.25" wheel spacers the sidewalls stick past the fenders just barely enough so that I get mud slung down the side of the truck sometimes but that slightly narrower tread width might be enough to fix that, plus it'll look a little better and give me a hair more lift since it's taller.
Heck I might just buy the wheels I want in 17" and get new tires in that size and just keep my stocks and these tires for a rainy day.
Thanks for the photos and opinions!

 

[RTaylor]

She looks good. The springs are likely to settle a bit after a couple thousand miles. Hit the trails a couple of times and stretch those virgin springs out! That will help them soften up.

 

[Rigger]

Looks great but needs bigger tires!

The madness never ends!

 

[linuxgod]

I have the 45mm TD adjustables. Give it a few thousand miles for the springs to soften a bit and it will settle. If you tow anything, that will accelerate the break-in, or get it out on a trail (or really anywhere that flexes the suspension a bunch).

Also running 34" tires helps fill out the wheel well... you know, if you need an excuse.

 

[Just a Ninja]

I have the 45mm TD adjustables. Give it a few thousand miles for the springs to soften a bit and it will settle. If you tow anything, that will accelerate the break-in, or get it out on a trail (or really anywhere that flexes the suspension a bunch).

Also running 34" tires helps fill out the wheel well... you know, if you need an excuse.

I love all you guys... trying to help me spend money to replace a set of brand new tires to get an extra inch out of them.. lol.

So I'm heading to the mountains tomorrow to test this new suspension set up out. Been playing with Gaia GPS on the tablet so also going to try that app out since it looks like it's got all kinds of trails and dirt roads marked on it's maps.

What about a 295/65/18? a little taller than what I have now, a little wider.. but not as tall as the 285/70/18. I can't remember but doesn't seem like I see many people running that size so maybe going any wider isn't a good idea.

BTW - after a couple of days driving around on the new suspension and getting out and tweaking the softness/firmness several times I think I've got it dialed in and it rides better on road than stock AND off-road...

 

[linuxgod]

I love all you guys... trying to help me spend money to replace a set of brand new tires to get an extra inch out of them.. lol.

So I'm heading to the mountains tomorrow to test this new suspension set up out. Been playing with Gaia GPS on the tablet so also going to try that app out since it looks like it's got all kinds of trails and dirt roads marked on it's maps.

What about a 295/65/18? a little taller than what I have now, a little wider.. but not as tall as the 285/70/18. I can't remember but doesn't seem like I see many people running that size so maybe going any wider isn't a good idea.

BTW - after a couple of days driving around on the new suspension and getting out and tweaking the softness/firmness several times I think I've got it dialed in and it rides better on road than stock AND off-road...

Some shops will let you return them within 30 days. You eat the mounting/balancing cost. Just sayin'

BTW I've found the TD setup seems "tuned" for offroad speeds of ~15-20mph. Really slow stuff is bouncy and really fast stuff can be jarring, but if I roll in that range the suspension seems to soak up big and little bumps, dips, etc really nicely.

 

[Just a Ninja]

Some shops will let you return them within 30 days. You eat the mounting/balancing cost. Just sayin'

BTW I've found the TD setup seems "tuned" for offroad speeds of ~15-20mph. Really slow stuff is bouncy and really fast stuff can be jarring, but if I roll in that range the suspension seems to soak up big and little bumps, dips, etc really nicely.

Yes I have noticed that if I put the suspension on level 3 that it can handle some really large bumps and dips up to about 40mph with very little jumping around or harshness in the cabin.

And yeah, I'm going to check around and see if I can find someone that will throw a set of that size on and let me return them if I need to. Thanks!