Help me figure out how to get rid of this awesome Trail Master lift

Hi there,
I posted some questions in the "What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition" tread regarding a Trail Master 6" lift and what needs to be done to get rid of it a go back to a UCA setup.

I an effort to not get that thread off track I figured I'd go ahead and start this one and keep this mess all in one place.

Also, this is my son's truck and he'll be going TDY for about 3 months on Saturday. I decided that I'll just do this project as a surprise for him while he's gone so I'll start gathering the needed parts and try to have the conversion done for him before he gets back. It'd be nice if he could actually take this thing out and do some wheeling as it's a really nice truck (except for the lift).

So, if anybody has done this before and can save me a bit of parts research, well, that would be greatly appreciated.

Below is currently what was said in the other thread.

 

sub'd, i have no help to offer... just here to figure out what the hell kind of setup this is lol

 

Lol... It's apparently the most awesome 6" lift you can do. The mighty Trail Master drop bracket kit. Rave reviews everywhere you read.

 

I found this thread. Not sure if it will help or not...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...db-kit-yes-it-can-be-done.88767/#post-1688191

 

Thanks Crap, I'm a visual learner so that does help.

 

Question: my stock '00 Prerunner should have the same front suspension as a '98 4x4, correct?

So, I should be able to use my truck as a reference for measurements and what not while working the '98, correct?

Also, anyone in AZ have a cross member they might want to get rid of? I'll cut it out if need be.

 

@SanClemTaco

This guy took off a db lift:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-on-35s-long-travel-in-process.237989/

Just get all the parts you need which are probably uca's and through bolts unless they cut a crossmember or welded anything in, and once you've got it, start tearing the front end off.

 

I see the pic of the suspension set up but what about any pics of the front end? Like of the cross member?

 

This. That will help give you advice.

 

Here's the best I can do for the moment. I'll have to drop the skidplate to get something better but no can do right now.

All 4 of the original LCA mount points are intact so that's a blessing.

Here's the left side rear LCA mount with the drop bracket bolted in place.


Here's the left side front LCA mount with the drop bracket bolted in place. Horrible pic but you can see it right above the CV boot.


Question:
From looking, I'm going to assume that the missing crossmember is in FRONT/AHEAD of the front diff? If so, have a friend that builds long travel, high end, custom buggies (think Glamis dunes) from scratch that should be able to fab up a crossmember with little effort.

I can't really see anything that goes directly under the diff, which would make sense to me.

I really need to get the skid plate off to really see how everything is set up

 

Thanks for the link. They all help in the long run.

Oh, bought some ready to go UCA's yesterday, so I'm good to go there.

 

Okay, found a couple of older pics when the skid plate was off. Not the best but shows things a bit better until I can get the plate off.








Looks like it's going to be quite the chore.

 

If your friend can fab up some good mounts for skid plates and stuff you might actually end up on top!

 

@Robmonster117 for some pics.

 

At one point in time a new crossmember could be had from Toyota in exchange for your 1st born. This was helpful to a few folks because all of the part was "there" as opposed to some portion being left on a donor frame. Main point, 1st see what is left on your frame. Also IIRC there was some adapter used for the power steering lines. This still left the pressure line under stress so give it a good look see when things are apart.

A good fab guy should have no prob with this one way or the other.

 

Yeah, we'll see how it goes. He's a pretty busy guy so I'd like to try and find a stock cross member first. If I can't find one within 30 days I'll hit him up for the fabrication. I'm definitely going to have him do the welding though. I can get everything ready and tack a new cross member in place but my welding is not the best.

 

Thanks Dirty. Will do on the PS lines and thanks for the tip.

It's going to be another week or two before I get it on stands and start tearing it down. I'm curious to see what was cut out and what's left. I'll be taking some pics and posting here as I go along.

 

Crossmember on my truck was never cut, the crossmember in question is the rear one where the steering rack mounts.

If this has been cut I'm not sure I can help. A new one would need to be fabricated and steering rack mounts found and remade

 

Get a copy of install instructions from trailmaster, start at the end and work backwards.