Customer States Suspension is Leaning Reverse Carolina Squat | 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 3.5l

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[@tastyautomotive5619]

Toyota tech here. The rear shock holds the axle. If you unbolted the bottom shock the axle wouldve lowered and wouldve been so much easier. Also i see it had a pre collision system. This system is very sensitive and requires recalibration after any suspension modification or to be disabled for liability. Be careful, you can get blamed pretty easily if that wasnt recalibrated and they get in a collision.

[@s.murphy8336]

Wait, so it could be upset by a minor change in ride height/angle like that? I could understand needing to reset it if you do some massive change in how it sits, but this wouldn't be much different than adding/removing a couple hundred pounds from the bed as far as how the truck sits overall.

[@tastyautomotive5619]

@@s.murphy8336 absolutely it can. In the owners manual it states if you are towing or hauling something heavy to disable the pre collision system. We offer a factory lift kit option for tacoma and tundra and when the recalibrations are completed the numbers are completely different. Assuming they also already recalibrated for just the front spacer as well.

[@etienneprinsloo6799]

I miss the days when vehicles weren’t big mobile phones with wheels. Don’t hassle about an EMP, don’t allow anyone with a Neodymium magnet near it😉!

[@BoomHeadshot666]

@@s.murphy8336it’s a vehicle modification.. vehicle mods typically 99% of the time will void your warranty and the dealer will spin it anyway they can to blame the mod for the damages so they aren’t liable to repair under warranty.. always safe to wait till the warranty is expired before doing anything to your ride..

[@MarkVanTasell]

@@s.murphy8336 I AGREE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT THAT WAY FROM THE FACTORY....EVEN THE LEVEL KITS CHANGE/ALTER THE NATURE OF THE VEHICAL

[@ToyodaMaster-tq6ht]

In my 30 years of building Toyota Trucks. I’ve NEVER seen a broken U-bolt that was reused. And I’ve reused A LOT of Toyota U-Bolts. Even when building Spring Packs for Tacoma’s by adding extra Tundra leafs to the stack.

[@SteveB88]

I had the same truck last year that I did the same lift block install on. The easiest way to do that is on the ground. Loosen the U bolts and take that assembly off the axle. Next use the bottle jack that comes with the truck, the one that’s under the rear passenger seat. Take the bottle jack and put it on the ground right near the axle under the leaf spring and raise the bottle jack up to push up on the leaf spring and then you can wedge the block in to the open space. Then lower the bottle jack and reinstall the new U bolts.

[@edwicks66]

It probably wouldn't make a good video that way , but your right saying on the ground ! Its the only way I can do it because I don't have a lift .

[@basstracks2427]

Not only is it a very good video, it's also an uplifting video as well.😅

[@paullowe1869]

I see what you did there 😊

[@MonkeyJedi99]

[slow_clap]

[@eddymahon1503]

Wow that’s hilarious 😕

[@scottslattery5590]

Awesome video ray!!! Thank wife unit for the cameo appearence!

[@3GingerCats]

So one of the first things my boss got me to do when I started my new job was to fit new springs to his ute. (because in my previous job, all I did was suspension, day in and day out...) It's just one bolt, and it makes it so much easier, safer and quicker to just unbolt the shock and let the spring and diff housing move how you want it to, rather than have the shock pulling on the components you need to line up again.

[@SqueakyChase]

Ray, you have superb 'reach around' technique.

[@philipershler420]

Not only that but he has ‘ambidextrous reach around’ technique. 😃

[@Beckydog]

Hey Ray? I’ve been watching you since the beginning, and? I just want to say that not only have I learned more than I ever thought from you, but saved plenty of money on ‘dealership upsell’ rubbish. thank you!

[@angusbuchan.]

good to see that the lesson learned for the second shackle having over-torqued the first ones with the ratchet before setting the actual torques.

[@ginog5037]

I just luv it when hacks and weekend warriors know more than the engineers. If it was that easy, it would be an option. Oh wait, it is the TRD package! Ray, do a follow-up when they blow the OEM shocks or complain that the ride sucks...

[@kenj.8897]

Yup , shocks next . Next step up in length

[@tom0428]

Tacoma need a longer rear shocks, it's topping out when you brake.

[@Rocket39Smoke14]

That doesn't matter when your doing the lift just for the looks. 🤪

[@tom0428]

@@Rocket39Smoke14 what you mean it don't matter, it will destroy the shocks. it'll come back in 2 weeks cause it leak oil everywhere.

[@golf25radioman]

Those being the stock/factory shocks, probably could do with a set of longer travel ones. Front & Rear. Even if it is for looks only, the shock ending travel may contribute to ride quality issues. I'm sure Ray will mention to the customer. I wouldn't have thought of it had the differential not dropped enough to put the spacers in. Another thing I thought was those rear leaf springs may be what really needed upgrading, another leaf or something like that. Just an observation.

[@alvinmitchell6799]

@@Rocket39Smoke14 The short shock will tear the mounts and shocks apart every time the suspension cycles because they will top out. Having to long or to short of shocks will hurt ride quality because the shock will hit hard on every cycle.

[@victorbarajas1395]

Ok so, you mean that, Toyota have made a mistake, and installed the wrong shock? look, Ray did not replace them because is no need. we have to be more careful with the comments without knowledge guys!!!!

[@kevincampbell3173]

right side rear leaf springs are always a little stiffer because of the axel torque, they actually intentionally put more weight on the right rear wheel on a solid axel because the torque from the driveshaft makes the right rear wheel lift off the ground thus you get the "one wheel peel" most manufacturers bias the weight a little to the right rear tire for this reason.

[@jasonlindon3675]

That maybe true for some models but I know first hand the leaf springs on the f-150 come out of the same bin with the same part number and can be put on either side. I see it everyday at work.

[@mummabear01]

I always look forward to the Wife Unit cameo appearance.

[@michaelrobbins9679]

Yep... Last I saw.. she was doing an ash Wednesday prequel filming..

[@andries4561]

To calibrate air suspension on audis the official measurement is taken from the wheel wells, but to the hub of the wheel. Tire inflation does not distort that

[@TheWabbit]

I have a 2007 TRD, it has the 4.0 but I couldn't get the 6 speed,I barely could find the Tacoma. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned, besides all the free work from Dana that is. I had to put an A/C compressor and cat back exhaust in 2022, brake lines in the beginning of 2023, and rack and pinion at the end of 2023. For a vehicle that's been in Michigan I'm impressed with its rust perfection on the body. No rust yet. hopefully I can get 10 more years out of it. It drives like new. I jumped when that prybar slipped!

[@dalejones3862]

The shock will now be over extended Ray needs new longer shocks

[@BruceCoggins]

Yep, he should have realized that when he removed the U bolts and the differential didn't drop. Those shocks are maxed out.

[@victorbarajas1395]

No its not! where di you learned that the shocks will over extend? that is not possible and this is why, Ray did not replace them!! lets be good here and appreciate the work this channel offer us all!

[@cengeb]

@@BruceCoggins This is a dumb thing to do. Driveway suspension designers, then this junk is on the road, scary. the entire camber, caster is now all off, suspension, steering, is actually done factory for a reason, but a driveway nudnick knows better, here just raise this, shove some stuff in, i am an injuneer.

[@cengeb]

@@victorbarajas1395 the axle stopped moving down, the shocks where holing it, then pulled down with block, makes shocks over extended,

[@patrickdiehl6813]

The shocks had no vehicle weight on them, they are not "over extended.

[@atomicforcegaming2867]

'Javi Air' ... Clever, very clever. lol

[@KFish-bw1om]

I have a 3rd gen Taco. Boy am I glad I got an earlier model with a real keyed ignition. If this truck doesn't last me another 20 years I'm buying a used 2nd gen Taco to replace it.

[@jbell987]

Better than the lumber 2x4 blocks I see around occasionally.

[@Doodler-JL]

Had a 68 Torino and I had to deal with a leveling problem. Leafs in the rear and coils in the front. I placed carpenter levels on the driveshaft hump and replaced the shackles until the levels show level in all directions. Easy and effective (I was a kid and couldn't afford new leaf springs)

[@randybeard6040]

Yep, Levels generally never Lie...

[@charlesslack8090]

​@@randybeard6040 Oh contrair Randy, levels, even when working typically lie. On the rare occasion they are just Plumb standing about. Even rarer still is when they are searching for a new Angle!

[@DD-ew1ed]

Gas tank on left side and fuel causes the minor difference vs right

[@rottmanthan]

the 07 wrangler i had sat low on the front, that was common on the early jk's, the end of one of the front springs broke so i replaced them with springs out of a 4 dr which made it sit level.

[@Harry1s]

Ray your shop has really come a long ways. I remember your first vid with you walking in and talking about your plans for the shop. Great job!!

[@stansbruv3169]

I’m alright. Thanks.

[@jthonn]

Nice simple job. I always seem to learn a little something from your videos. I never did know that you are not suppose to reuse U - bolts. I have done that many times and I don't ever remember having a problem with it. I don't really know the reason.

[@csgergo80]

Check the bolts that came out of the passenger side, you can clearly see the ware on them.

[@bobby9195]

Good morning Mr Ray hope y'all have a great day. Push button turd? 😅😂 That was a good one 😂

[@StevenDaugherty-uo5cs]

Arguing about weather or not you can reuse the u-bolts is a moot point when you realize that the original bolts were too short to go through the base plates with the spacers installed. Thus the new longer bolts.

[@georgeweisbrod1876]

If you put a fulcum point under the pry bar such as a piece of wood , you woud have more vleverage and lift distance. Much like the hoops on a seesaw toy in playground to adjust for diffetent weight of kids.

[@jasondgandrew320]

I'm not normally the OCD type, but for some reason the rear ubolt on the left side being 3/16 away from the holding tab on top of the axle bothers the crap out of me!😬🤷

[@airlinephoto]

Always enjoy your videos Ray

[@excellentjb]

Uplifting is successful!!! You are the man Ray!!!

[@aaronbritt2025]

@10:05... The shock is at max droop. This means you should replace the shock with a longer one. They sell longer shocks for lifted Taco's.

[@dannyv2335]

My local shop quoted me $700 to install a spacer lift on my Tacoma. The think I can do it myself now

[@InssiAjaton]

If you have all the safety gear Ray has? And big enough pry bar, of course.

[@Drekulviin]

2 videos today, that's nice of you. 😍

[@BuzzKillingtonne]

Omg you made my spit my coffee out when you said "It's not a turd thats not what TRD means." and then immediately after said "Oh, it's a push button turd."

[@justinpaone2227]

every truck i have seen with a so called leveling kit, actually gave it a squat. and the only truck i've seen currently that needs this is the extended cab f150 because the front is so much lower than the back. you always wan't some rake. both for payload and towing.

[@michiganborn8303]

Damn! 68k miles on a 3 year old Tacoma? I only have 38k on my 2019 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x2. Only put 6800 miles on for 2023. The owner of this one must be a real road warrior.

[@snoops606]

We always tightened ours in a criss cross form

[@heckelphon]

Passenger side rear was 37.75 actually, so closer than you were thinking at 38!

[@jamessmith7691]

I found out long ago that new U bolts are the way to go when I blew the threads off one U bolt . I see on other channels they reuse the crap out of them. Good video.

[@krikkelol]

yes u are right, TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development

[@ivertranes2516]

True, true, but calling them turds is way more fun.😂😂 'Specially the reactions you get from TRD fanboys.😅😅😅

[@michaelw6277]

You’ll probably get a more accurate ride height measurement going from center of the wheel hub to the fender. That way your measurements aren’t impacted by tire pressure.

[@philsonnenberg6092]

Never have questioned Ray till now but.. that needs longer shocks to make full use of the lift. The axle should have been easy to lower the 1” without prying if the shocks were not at max length.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

That's not a Ray question, that's a 'What did the owner want done" question. Remember, they already paid someone else to have the front end lifted first.

[@philsonnenberg6092]

@@MonkeyJedi99 I get that. One of the main reasons most shops wont install customer supplied parts. A local shop I go to will still install customer parts IF you provide them with the EXACT parts list they tell you is needed.

[@williammcmillan6202]

A True Craftsman as you are should tool the ends of the u bolts or chamfer them like the were before cutting them off very sharp they are.😮

[@evicous9735]

I'm steady using my safety squints while watching you do this

[@paulocarvalho6480]

I'm surprised Ray didn't check tire pressures before installing the lift blocks. A little bit under pressure can give false readings.

[@rager1969]

If we're going for looks, the measuring at the wheel well is 100% the correct way, as we mere mortals will notice the differences that way.

[@Justindobb1984]

Ray man doing Ray man things as per norm. Keep em coming

[@RadioReprised]

I prefer a 2'' shackle to blocks....

[@rudavega1]

The next guy to work under that truck is going to be pissed when they slice their arm open on the cut and not filed edges on those u-bolts.. Kind of like the guy who snips the zip ties on an angle and leaves them long.. Otherwise love your channel and work ethic Ray.

[@Navajo-man]

Hi ray and wife unit and two young gentleman just finished watching video excellent job been watching for long time now sure learning a lot I enjoy even if it’s short or long remember it Educational to me and as always you all be safe 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jameshedrick605]

Seeing the trouble Ray had with getting the one side lined up is one reason i won't do leaf springs or replace the rear axle itself. Never did like doing that

[@jasonkarov]

Many Tacomas, at least older years have a squat on the driver side rear , typically due to a full gas tank on the same side

[@CatRPlrC16]

I like how Ray grinds with the sparks traveling away from him. Very wise, and rarely seen practice. (Sarcasm) 🤠🤣🍻

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Well, Ray neither wags his finger at us, nor uses heavy power tools while wearing sandals.

[@rickietatum4319]

had you left the bolts on the first side loose it would have been possible to move the axle without resorting to the use of ratchet straps.

[@Sarge084]

Would have been a good opportunity to fit airbags to the rear axle. I did it to my RV, a much smoother ride *and* I could raise or lower them individually to level out the habitation area so that the shower drained properly!

[@leybraith3561]

Funny how those post impact driver 'clicks' (16'30") happen sooooo quickly... even before the nut starts to turn sometimes ....reeeeee much better on second go (26'00"). Luv ya vids!

[@graemejoyes5730]

Why did you put a stand up the rear tow hitch? If the weight comes off the rear, the vehicle will tilt forward, not back.

[@tempeltonwalkowiak3907]

Hey Ray, TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development , focusing on tuning and performance for the automaker. TRD develops auto parts, performance products, and unique accessories for Toyota models across the country. Model-specific wheels, suspension upgrades, and superchargers are all products offered and developed by TRD.

[@Alex-ve1og]

More importantly, if you say it as a word I stead of an acronym it sounds like turd

[@mrajinj661]

You can use a level on the cab pinch weld.

[@littlered1880]

Hey Ray I noticed the left rear brake light is not working when you stopped for the remeasure.

[@joeywest386]

@5:35 ... if u r removing weight from the rear, shouldn't the extra lift support be on the front of the vehicle.??

[@Blackford86]

Do not ever stop young people from working these days😊

[@jaxsonhugh9334]

I was under the impression that when you bought a lift kit it came with the parts to do the front and rear.

[@danstover3458]

If you're unloading weight from the rear of the truck, wouldn't you want the jack stand under the front to avoid truck from tipping forward ?

[@paulfagan2964]

Angle grinder for the win!!

[@shaunkelly9053]

Put the jack stand under the leaf spring and lift with that.

[@randybeard6040]

Pretty Little Truck, Nice Color...

[@Psichlo1]

Nothing like an easy start to the morning.

[@RandyInouye]

Thanks for the spark show. It looked cool on my big screen TV.

[@howardrubin4916]

You need traffic lights in the lift stalls! Green is clear and GO!

[@Brendan_Keyport-WA7BMK]

Being from Tacoma, that taco bit is offensive... but true. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelrobbins9679]

I'm surprised the lift block did not have at least a °3 taper to adjust the pinion angle. Perhaps one or the other could be rotated °180 which would be a very not good RAY!

[@ahoytheremate1954]

the grabber looks pretty good any 1 seen it used there's vids on you tube and no pit required anybody ?? seen 1 used ??

[@rogerfleury3591]

45th! Happy HUMPDAY! To you Ray and the wife unit. Along with the plucky new employees. Roger in Pierre South Dakota

[@SimmyMetal]

Numpty

[@squiggyg.8415]

Since you made nut jokes. How do you know you’re too old to play golf… when you hit your balls with the putter 😎

[@bobbyabbott3035]

Going to be a rough ride the shocks are fully extended.

[@eddielasater1459]

Getting to see the wife unit is one of the highlights of your videos

[@sameftek9799]

Carolina Squat...... I love your videos, Ray.

[@kenflo1983]

This video really amused me with the southpark clip smart guy😂

[@KAS_Motorsports]

Slag hammer to tap the block towards the front of the truck.

[@oldshep2695]

Ty

[@aBigMeanie]

lol. wouldn't have bothered shortening the u-bolts. it's a pretty boy truck that's never going to see dirt. a deep socket would have sufficed.

[@michaelabbott511]

Looks like you have a great team going there, Dave ,Jusus , Wife Unit And of course YOU Mr. RAY, great video.

[@kristopherhalbmaier2790]

Curious, if you add aftermarket stuff like that do you give the stock parts back in case they want to put it back to stock someday?

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

Good question. I always thought a shop would at least offer removed parts unless there was a core charge or a safety issue involved like glass for example.

[@matthewholzinger1042]

Shops usually do not return parts to customers unless asked to. But in a modification situation like this, I don't know. I hope the subject was covered with the customer.

[@tylergrant7160]

Most shops I’ve seen when aftermarket “modifications” are made to a vehicle, the stock parts go back to the customer regardless of being asked unless the original parts being swapped out are trash i.e blow suspension/worn out no longer usable components

[@nosboR193]

hey Ray, I noticed the tail brake lights are out on driver side

[@wayneessar7489]

Brake.

[@nosboR193]

thanks for pointing that out@@wayneessar7489

[@jeffally9115]

That was easy to install ray

[@bryanalbright3019]

What about a 4ft. Level on top of the bed side .😅

[@MonkeyJedi99]

For the longest time, I have been watching with a whisper of a complaint about the parking lot in the back of my brain. I finally figured it out. It's a gravel lot. I live in New England, where plowing and frost heaves would turn that into an obstacle course within 1-3 years, but Ray's shop is in Florida, and it's fine.

[@robertejohnsonii8508]

That pry bar sliding gave me a bloody nose

[@jiminma50]

Thank you Lauren!

[@flyithere]

torque limiting extensions do not work with my electric impact only with air

[@martyh9309]

If the shocks were keeping the axle from hitting its lowest stroke they should be replaced with longer ones.😮

[@cjkokay]

Ray! You know it! 14:40 there is no guard on you grinder with cut off disc. You did ok with eye and ear protection but you missed fingers!😮

[@Grumpyoldman60-]

The threads on the OE right looked Galled

[@gazmack6196]

Quote of the year: Oh, it’s a push button turd. That made me laugh so much 😊 That has to be on the next Merch 🤔🤣

[@OldMadScientist]

IMO, instead of a lift block, the owner should have opted for an additional "helper" leaf spring added to the rear leafs. It would have lifted the rear between 1 and 1-1/2 inches, plus increased the overall payload capability of the truck.

[@976rick1]

That's what I was thinking. Spacer is just for looks. An add a leaf would have multiple uses.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

You're assuming that someone with a pickup truck would actually want to pick things up with it. In my New England experience, about 40-50% of pickup truck owners use it like a car. And about 10-20% refuse to put anything in the bed for fear of scratches and dings.

[@jdesaavedra0432]

That tonneau cover and shorty bed says this vehicle does not do truck things, so no need to add capacity.

[@RIRWINJR83]

@@jdesaavedra0432 But he has a 3 way hitch.....

[@darrengray2309]

The proper way to check ride height is from the guard to the centre of the wheel hub as the ground is not always level even concrete.

[@abitoffcenter383]

Not sure if anyone else has this problem. But that 1/2 inch would bother me. Not sure why. The wife says that it's just how I am. Things nobody would see, but I would know about, bother me. I'm 50 and have been this way for as long as I can remember. When I was an apprentice for someone that built NHRA Pro Stock engines. He told me one of the main reasons he took me under his wing was because of my attention to detail. Although sometimes I feel it's to the point of being a flaw.

[@hansjansen7047]

This is not the first time I've noticed that you don't take particular care at what length you cut off bolts

[@tonybarkdull1199]

With you being in Florida, when you inform us to the mileage on the Odometer, you COULD say 86,035 miles downrange, as they do at NASA