How do I tell if my truck has a lift kit and if it was done correctly?

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum. I check the search but didn't find anything that answer my question.

I just bought a 2005 Tacoma 4x4 TRD (access cab). It seems to sit higher than I would expect. Furthermore driving over slightly rough terrain, its suspension did not seem to perform as I expected it to. I am suspecting that at some point someone added a lift kit and did it them self.

What is a go way to tell for sure that it is lifted and that it was done correctly.

Thanks,
DragonSama

 

Post some picks of your front and rear set ups.

 

Welcome to TW. Post some pictures of the front coil springs/shock suspension and the rear leaf pack and shock

 

Snag a picture of behind the front wheel, where the coilover meets the upper bucket by the upper control arm and a pic of the rear where your axle and leaf spring bolt together, shock in there too if you can get the angle right.

*edit* what they said ^^

 

here is some measurements from the center of the hub to the fender.
front is approximately 24"
rear is approximately 25"

I have attached some pictures of the front and rear passenger side suspension.

 

Post a picture of the top of the front shocks.

 

also the tires are 285/75 R16.

Attached is an image of the top of the front suspension.

 

Based on what I see I don’t see anything indicating a lift. Maybe higher rate coils were installed at some point but everything looks pretty vintage as well. I agree it does seem to sit a little higher than what I’d expect to see from stock. No block in rear but maybe a single add a leaf in the back?

 

Pretty rusty ...... it is an 05 .

 

Looks stock underneath to me too. .... and it looks like it has a lift.

 

^^^^^ this. There is no lift on that truck per say.

 

I want to thank everyone for your responses. I have some work cut out for me.

Thanks again,
DragonSama

 

Those coils look thick as hell to me, although I could be wrong, or it could just be the angle.

The rear looks to have a cracked 3rd leaf one way or another, whether it's a factory/TSB 3+1 or a 2+1 with a single AAL that cracked. You can run the VIN and see if it maybe has the leaf spring recall still outstanding.

 

Given these numbers, I would say the OP has a lift especially to run 285s without rubbing. Likely unknown coilovers and the rear pack has been replaced or an aal added because 05 tacomas came with a 3 leaf pack, not 4. Regardless, you have rusted worn components and leaky shocks which will have to be replaced anyways.

 

Thank you Wattapunk. The suspension does need a lot of work. Luckily I have a 2000 mustang that I can drive while working on the tacoma.

 

Front coils are 100% thicc probs a better spring rate, that third leaf in the pack is indeed a 2” AAL, the leaf is squared at the end, cheap add a leafs come like that.