Skyjacker Lifts The Toyota Tacoma

129 1102 Toyota Tacoma Trail Talent After

If you have a second-generation Toyota Tacoma and you want to improve its trail talents, one of the best ways is to get some lift and larger tires under it. Recently, we desired to do just that on our TRD Sport-equipped 2010 Tacoma, so we installed a kit from the folks at Skyjacker Suspension.

The '05-and-up Tacoma uses a coil-on-shock IFS front suspension and a leaf-spring rear suspension. We opted for Skyjacker's Platinum Series coilover conversion kit (p/n TC530KS-H), which replaces the factory front shocks and coils as well as the leaf springs. The front coilovers are adjustable so you can select from 2 to 3 inches of lift, and the kit includes top shock brackets that are state-of-the-art and allow each coilover to pivot smoothly without binding through the suspension cycle. Each coilover shock is equipped with a 7075 aluminum alloy rod-end fitted with Teflon-lined stainless spherical bearings to allow maximum articulation without restricting wheel travel. The Softride coil springs are preset and formed from 5160H alloy, ensuring higher tensile strength and longer life. In the rear, the new springs have one more leaf than stock and provide 1.5 to 2 inches of lift.

Matt Dinelli at Attitude Performance in Arlington Heights, Illinois, completed the install while we shot photos. Here's a rundown of the major components and how the kit works.

Stock

Bottom Line
Our Tacoma came from the factory with P265/65R17 (30.5-inch-diameter) Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires, and we fitted the truck with LT285/70R17 (32.7-inch-diameter) Fierce Attitude M/T tires on 17x8.5 Fuel Octane wheels with 41/2 inches of backspacing. This combination, along with the lift, improved our front fascia-to-ground measurement from 17 inches to 21 inches and the rear hitch-to-ground measurement from 161/2 inches to 19 inches. That's a 24-percent and 15-percent increase, respectively. Approach and departure angles also improved. In stock form, we measured an approach angle of 33 degrees and a departure angle of 20 degrees. After the install, approach angle jumped to 42 degrees and departure angle to 25 degrees. That's a 27-percent and 25-percent increase, respectively.

129 1102 Toyota Tacoma Trail Talent Rti Ramp Skyjacker Suspension

Lifted

We also saw a modest improvement on the RTI ramp. Before the install, the Tacoma traveled 54.5 inches up our 20-degree ramp to earn a score of 388 points. After the install, it traveled 57 inches to earn a score of 405 points, which is a 5-percent improvement.

Ride and handling were very impressive. The truck rode incredibly well with the combination of the Skyjacker suspension and the Fierce Attitude tires. We drove it to the Four Wheeler Midwest Bureau from Chicago after the install and were amazed by the outstanding on-center feel of the steering, overall handling and smooth ride.

We did have to remove the front factory mudflaps and do some trimming of the inner plastic fenderwell to help create room for the front tires to travel without contact.

We like that the Platinum Series coilover shocks have a big 2.5-inch threaded body that helps to cool the units and we like that the Schrader valve is located at the top of the shock for easy accessibility and protection.

129 1102 Toyota Tacoma Trail Talent Skyjacker Adjustable Strut Kit

More Options
The kit we installed has a retail price of $1,270.91. Other second-gen Tacoma options from Skyjacker include a 2-inch leveling kit (Photo B, $134.25) and an adjustable strut kit (Photo A, $448.03). The adjustable strut kit reuses the factory coils and has nitrogen gas-charged shocks with 1.375-inch-diameter piston, velocity-sensitive valving, and heavy-duty electro-less nickel spherical bearings with PTFE-lined inner race.

129 1102 Toyota Tacoma Trail Talent Skyjacker 2 Inch Leveling Kit

You can get the strut kit with rear Softride add-a-leafs (as pictured in Photo B) or as a system with Softride replacement rear leaf springs.

BEFORE
The kit includes a pair of Platinum Series coilover shocks, upper shock mounts, sway-bar lowering blocks, leaf springs, U-bolts and all hardware. We also installed a pair of Skyjacker Hydro 7000 rear shocks.
The kit includes a pair of Platinum Series coilover shocks, upper shock mounts, sway-bar l
Installation begins on the front of the vehicle by removing the ABS lines from the upper A-arms, the sway-bar end links, outer tie rods, upper ball joints, lower shock bolts, and upper shock assemblies.
Installation begins on the front of the vehicle by removing the ABS lines from the upper A

To allow for easier access to the sway-bar mounts, the front skidplate was removed.
With the skidplate out of the way, the front sway bar was then disconnected from the frame.
With the skidplate out of the way, the front sway bar was then disconnected from the frame
Skyjacker instructions detail how to attach the upper mounts to the coilovers and how to adjust the coilovers to get you in the ballpark in regards to vehicle height. We found that 13/4 inches of exposed thread above the spanner nut set our vehicle close to stock height. Ultimately, we ended up adjusting each coilover to 3 inches of exposed thread to get the height we wanted.
Skyjacker instructions detail how to attach the upper mounts to the coilovers and how to a

Reassembly began with the installation of the new coilovers.
The last front factory component to be removed was the coil-on-shock assembly.
New aluminum sway-bar lowering blocks are included with the kit, and they are sandwiched between the sway bar and the Tacoma's frame using new hardware.
New aluminum sway-bar lowering blocks are included with the kit, and they are sandwiched b

The kit includes 9/16-inch washers that mount between the end links and the sway bar. These washers act as spacers to guarantee adequate clearance between the end links and the new coil springs.
The kit includes 9/16-inch washers that mount between the end links and the sway bar. Thes
All of the previously removed or disconnected components are then reattached. This is what the front suspension looks like in finished form.
All of the previously removed or disconnected components are then reattached. This is what
Out back, the stock leaf springs and shocks are removed, and the factory shackles are transferred to the new Skyjacker leaf springs.
Out back, the stock leaf springs and shocks are removed, and the factory shackles are tran

The axle is fastened to the new leaf springs via the new U-bolts and the Skyjacker Hydro 7000 shocks mount in the factory locations. Here you can see the completed rear suspension.
The axle is fastened to the new leaf springs via the new U-bolts and the Skyjacker Hydro 7
Wheel note: The recessed mounting holes in our Fuel Octane wheels were much smaller than stock, and the factory lug nuts wouldn't work. To remedy this, we purchased ET-style lug nuts (shown on right), which are much narrower. They also have a shoulder that travels further into the wheel to grab more threads.
Wheel note: The recessed mounting holes in our Fuel Octane wheels were much smaller than s
The last major step was to have the vehicle aligned. We had our alignment done next door to Attitude Performance at Dave & Jim's Auto Body. They were able to align the vehicle with no problem.
The last major step was to have the vehicle aligned. We had our alignment done next door t

SOURCES
Skyjacker Suspensions P.O. Box 1678 West Monroe LA 71294 318-338-0816 www.skyjacker.com	Attitude Performance 2349 E. Oakton ST. Arlington Heights IL 847-593-0505 www.attitudeperformance.com