2017 lifted TRD Offroad woes

L

LostinParadise

Member
Hello, I recently bought my truck and need some advice from the owners out there that have their trucks lifted. To begin, I have no idea on the history or the lift kit. What I know is that it's a 4-5 inch lift with the after market knobby mud tires. Here's my situation...I need to have the alignment done but the guy at the shop told they have to inspect the ball joints and tie rods to make sure they don't need replacing. Is this normal? I'm only asking cuz am a total noob when it comes to lifted trucks. Hoping someone can help alleviate my sense of confusion!
 
Welcome to the family.

Shop reputation may come into play here. Is it a reputable shop? Do you know any mechanics? I would say let them inspect whatever they want as long as it's free. If they find something wrong with one or more of those components and they have to replace them to do the alignment and the shop is Billy Bob's tire shop you may want to get a second opinion.

Mileage may also come into play. Is the truck high mileage?

How does it drive? Is there play in the steering or does the truck shimmy and shake above 35 mph?

Or are you getting the alignment because of tire wear?
 
Just my opinion, being you're new to this "Taco", I'd get everything inspected, especially the lift. Was it a cheap ebay kit from China, or was it a suspension lift. Btw, how are the brakes and fan belt. If you decide to take it to remote spaces, you should know you have a chance of returning, lol. Btw. You mentioned large mud tires, what does your spare look like, and do you have a high lift jack? Things to think bout.
 
I second this motion.
A 3 to 4 inch lift can cause premature wear on the components mentioned and also the drive train and this requires a little more maintenance and inspection on your part.
But be careful were you bring your vehicle most chain shops are required to upsell service. Your truck maybe fine but if you can try to find a place that specializes in 4x4 lifted vehicles.
Welcome aboard and good luck with your new truck hope to see pictures.
Scott Wyman said:
Welcome to the family.

Shop reputation may come into play here. Is it a reputable shop? Do you know any mechanics? I would say let them inspect whatever they want as long as it's free. If they find something wrong with one or more of those components and they have to replace them to do the alignment and the shop is Billy Bob's tire shop you may want to get a second opinion.

Mileage may also come into play. Is the truck high mileage?

How does it drive? Is there play in the steering or does the truck shimmy and shake above 35 mph?

Or are you getting the alignment because of tire wear?
Click to expand...
 
cpomike13 said:
Just my opinion, being you're new to this "Taco", I'd get everything inspected, especially the lift. Was it a cheap ebay kit from China, or was it a suspension lift. Btw, how are the brakes and fan belt. If you decide to take it to remote spaces, you should know you have a chance of returning, lol. Btw. You mentioned large mud tires, what does your spare look like, and do you have a high lift jack? Things to think bout.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your kind response. On the lift kit, I will call the Dealership to see if they know the shop that installed it. I checked the fan belt and it appears to be fine. As for the breaks, I will have it checked to make sure it's working properly. The tires are 33x12.50R20LT. As for the shop, I don't know any of the mechanics. Mileage is 24,000 plus and the truck doesn't shimmy or shake over 35mph. I need to get the alignment done cuz when I bought the truck, 3 of the tires were totally worn the sides so I went ahead and replaced all of them.
Scott Wyman said:
Welcome to the family.

Shop reputation may come into play here. Is it a reputable shop? Do you know any mechanics? I would say let them inspect whatever they want as long as it's free. If they find something wrong with one or more of those components and they have to replace them to do the alignment and the shop is Billy Bob's tire shop you may want to get a second opinion.

Mileage may also come into play. Is the truck high mileage?

How does it drive? Is there play in the steering or does the truck shimmy and shake above 35 mph?

Or are you getting the alignment because of tire wear?
Click to expand...
 
cpomike13 said:
Just my opinion, being you're new to this "Taco", I'd get everything inspected, especially the lift. Was it a cheap ebay kit from China, or was it a suspension lift. Btw, how are the brakes and fan belt. If you decide to take it to remote spaces, you should know you have a chance of returning, lol. Btw. You mentioned large mud tires, what does your spare look like, and do you have a high lift jack? Things to think bout.
Click to expand...

Thanks and you bring up some good points!
 
cpomike13 said:
Just my opinion, being you're new to this "Taco", I'd get everything inspected, especially the lift. Was it a cheap ebay kit from China, or was it a suspension lift. Btw, how are the brakes and fan belt. If you decide to take it to remote spaces, you should know you have a chance of returning, lol. Btw. You mentioned large mud tires, what does your spare look like, and do you have a high lift jack? Things to think bout.
Click to expand...
I checked the fan belt and it's fine. As for the breaks, I will have it checked. The Dealership informed me the lift kit is from Rough Country(hope it's a good brand) and mine was $1500 to be installed. The spare tire is missing and no lift jack. Thanks for the recommendations.
 
RonFad said:
I second this motion.
A 3 to 4 inch lift can cause premature wear on the components mentioned and also the drive train and this requires a little more maintenance and inspection on your part.
But be careful were you bring your vehicle most chain shops are required to upsell service. Your truck maybe fine but if you can try to find a place that specializes in 4x4 lifted vehicles.
Welcome aboard and good luck with your new truck hope to see pictures.
Click to expand...
I found out from the Dealership the lift is 6 inches(Tough Country brand) so will have the aforementioned parts checked ASAP. I will post a pic soon. Thanks again.
 
Ball joints and tie rod ends have to be inspected, and have to be in good shape in order for the alignment to be effective. Lots of geometry going on there, so any slop in those joints will throw the alignment off. Control arm bushings are another thing that will need to be inspected.
BTW- i keep an extra belt behind my seat. Rockauto.com closeout deal was less than $4 for a Gates belt
 
Atomic Diesel said:
Ball joints and tie rod ends have to be inspected, and have to be in good shape in order for the alignment to be effective. Lots of geometry going on there, so any slop in those joints will throw the alignment off. Control arm bushings are another thing that will need to be inspected.
BTW- i keep an extra belt behind my seat. Rockauto.com closeout deal was less than $4 for a Gates belt
Click to expand...
Thanks and will get the truck inspected by my mechanic(I trust) and get another belt one for road emergencies!
 
Cape taco said:
Welcome to the forum I'd like to see that truck sounds nice and definately bring it to someone you know and trust .pays off in the long run :)
Click to expand...
Thanks and here's a couple of pics of the truck. My mechanic will check the ball joints, tie rods and everything around the wheels that need fixing...still not aligned cuz need to make sure all these things are done before getting the alignment done.
 

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LostinParadise said:
Thanks and here's a couple of pics of the truck. My mechanic will check the ball joints, tie rods and everything around the wheels that need fixing...still not aligned cuz need to make sure all these things are done before getting the alignment done.
Click to expand...
I would like to add a bull bar but not sure which is the easiest to install...looking at Youtube videos now...
 
RonFad said:
I second this motion.
A 3 to 4 inch lift can cause premature wear on the components mentioned and also the drive train and this requires a little more maintenance and inspection on your part.
But be careful were you bring your vehicle most chain shops are required to upsell service. Your truck maybe fine but if you can try to find a place that specializes in 4x4 lifted vehicles.
Welcome aboard and good luck with your new truck hope to see pictures.
Click to expand...
 

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Here's a couple of pics of the Taco and working on getting things around the tires checked before the alignment is done. Saving up $$$ for a bull bar now...any recommendations on the easiest ones to install? Thanks!
 
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