For any of you who have been following the 4th gen lift thread that began discussing lefty's 2.5 prototype, I know I hit you all with a bunch of info and promises, as well as pics @ the end of last week. Well, after 3 sleepless nights working and moving in a far from positive direction, we have re-aligned my lift plans and are ordering the Rev-tek spacer kit on Monday. The air setup in the rear was successful, gaining about 3", but was very very soft and needed a second set of shocks to be fabbed and mounted for added support. We constructed one set of spacers out of a pretty dense poly-rubber, that wasn't dense enough, and my local metal working guy wasn't able to produce. So, I am going to try to get Wheeler in Oregon to overnight or 2 day air his revtek kit out to me in Montana on Monday. Runner is sitting in the driveway right now, with about 1.75" of lift from the front right spacer, and 2.25" on the left...a failed mission, a lot of wasted time and money got me no where, but I guess I tried. I've got a few brief statments and questions, and then I'll get back to everyone later in the week as all should be finished.

Call me ignorant, but I unscrewed and "popped" the ball joint open on the front left control arm??(I think) while trying to get more room to work while stuffing in the new spacers. I was able to re-seat all of the other joints that I unscrewed except that one, and it is making a pretty noticeable sound when I dirve it down the road...the nut is about halfway on...definitely not sealed as grease was able to squeeze out. I have to drive the vehicle about 8 miles to the shop this week, will this damage anything? Also, my track control, vsc, and a third 4wd light are all on in the dash...should they reset once I get the new suspension installed, after pulling fuses and disconnecting the battery, etc.?? My "Maint" light has also remained on in the dash ever since I installed the FIPK that I modified from the V-8 Tundra...any ideas here?

Well, now to the good part...I guess. Everything that I said was on the rig last week with the addition of the lift and Tacoma skid plate will be done by weeks end. I decided to send the 1.25" wheel spacers back to Cali, after I saw how my rig will look with the lift (for the most part), and am just going to keep the konig's and 285/65R17's for now as budget is finally catching up with me. I plan on bumping back down to 16" wheels and 285/75's around the first of the year...even though the current setup fills up the wheels wells pretty nicely...I was gonna yank the running boards after the lift, but actually think they still look good and will definitely diminish rock chips, etc. That's really about it. The tacoma skid plate actually bolts right onto the front tow hooks with the use of some washers as spacers to drop it down a little. Props to gadget with the new product...been browsing a lot this weekend. I feel like I am just a worthless informant to you guys, but really really appreciate all the help and info you provide...big ups to Yotatech, as Biggie would have put it.

I guess my main concern is the control arm...I hope it will be cool....just don't know enough about some of these things. Pics soon, I guarantee...hopefully you all are getting something out of this post...at the very least - I wouldn't recommend building your own suspension lift unless you are very versed on the subject. Patience is extremely underrated...Rev-tek bailed me out. I'm gonna shut up till thurs or fri, when all will be done. Thanks in advance for all the help. How bout them Marlins?!? Peace.

Billy