[Bergger]

Okay so I just installed my SAWs. It was a lot easier than I thought. Cranking the coils up was harder than putting them on. So I'd like to have 2" of lift. I figured I'd start with 2" of thread showing then adjust from there. I took measurements before and they were 12" from the top of the center of the wheel to the bottom edge of the fender flare. When I lowered my truck off of the stands and measured both sides were 15 1/2"!! I gained 3 1/2" of lift with 2" of thread showing. This is more than I want for obvious reasons, don't get me wrong it looks cool as hell but I don't want to destroy my cv's. I guess my question is will they settle with a little driving around? If anyone else has installed these how much thread do you have showing and how much lift did you gain? I have a stock bumper with a warn trans4mer grille guard, no winch on it so not too much extra weight up front

Thanks

 

[mudferret]

Count on the lift you get being roughly twice that of the amount you crank the coils up; related to the geometry of our suspension.

 

[synovus]

Okay so I just installed my SAWs. It was a lot easier than I thought. Cranking the coils up was harder than putting them on. So I'd like to have 2" of lift. I figured I'd start with 2" of thread showing then adjust from there. I took measurements before and they were 12" from the top of the center of the wheel to the bottom edge of the fender flare. When I lowered my truck off of the stands and measured both sides were 15 1/2"!! I gained 3 1/2" of lift with 2" of thread showing. This is more than I want for obvious reasons, don't get me wrong it looks cool as hell but I don't want to destroy my cv's. I guess my question is will they settle with a little driving around? If anyone else has installed these how much thread do you have showing and how much lift did you gain? I have a stock bumper with a warn trans4mer grille guard, no winch on it so not too much extra weight up front

You shouldn't have had to adjust them. They come preset from the factory for 2" of lift, if I remember correctly. Re-adjust them back to 2" of lift. Drive it around for a week or two, then remeasure. If they've settled and lost some of the initial lift, then adjust them back to your desired 2".

Edit: Also, using the amount of threads showing is not an accurate way to determine the amount of lift. Measuring with a tape measure from the center of the hub to the bottom of the fender flare is.

 

[Bergger]

I didn't think the SAWs came preadjusted at all. I lowered them to 1" of thread and am now down to 2 1/2" of lift. I'll lower it to 1/2" of thread and check it again. Man that spanner wrench that came with the SAWs is a piece of junk. It's already bent and is making the adjusting a PITA! I hope I can finish with out breaking it. Thanks for the replies. I'll be putting on the OME rear on Sat and will post pics when done.

 

[synovus]

In case that spanner wrench does break...

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7545

 

[CYi5]

i didn't think the SAWs came preadjusted at all. I know the Donahoes come set at 2".

 

[Bergger]

I finally got it adjusted to just a hair over 2" of lift, drove it around town a bit and it is still at the same height. I really chewed the hell out of the adjustment collars on the SAWs. That was due to the spanner wrench getting bent and then scratching the collar. I finally ended up putting the spanner wrench in and the putting my jack handle over it for leverage. the handle fit perfect and made the job way easier. I wish I had figured that out earlier, would haved made it quicker and save some damage to my hands. Anyway the SAWs look great and drive great. Once I get the rear end done I post pics.

thanks

 

[Breathegood]

Unless you have a heavy winch bumper, don't expect a lot of settling of the springs. I've had my SAWs on for 16 months (675/15 coils) set at 2.5" of lift, and have had less than a quarter inch of settling since installation. Ride will improve a little over time, but my center hub to fender flare measurement has not changed.

 

[Bergger]

Unless you have a heavy winch bumper, don't expect a lot of settling of the springs. I've had my SAWs on for 16 months (675/15 coils) set at 2.5" of lift, and have had less than a quarter inch of settling since installation. Ride will improve a little over time, but my center hub to fender flare measurement has not changed.

That's good to know. Have you had any cv issues with them set at that height?

 

[Breathegood]

That's good to know. Have you had any cv issues with them set at that height?

Actually, last weekend when I was under the truck changing the oil, I did notice a small wear groove on the innermost fin of the inner CV boot on the passenger side. It hasn't worn all the way through and I don't know how much longer it will go, but my intent is to make the swap to mannual hubs sometime this year anyway. If the boot fails in that time, I'll just get it done that much sooner. I may lower the passenger side down a little, but I'm already ass-high and don't want to go down too much. Other than that, I haven't had any issues at all with the SAWs. The dealer told me they couldn't get the camber aligned to spec last week because of the "aftermarket lift", but I've had two previous alignments from other shops without any issues.

 

[Bergger]

Actually, last weekend when I was under the truck changing the oil, I did notice a small wear groove on the innermost fin of the inner CV boot on the passenger side. It hasn't worn all the way through and I don't know how much longer it will go, but my intent is to make the swap to mannual hubs sometime this year anyway. If the boot fails in that time, I'll just get it done that much sooner. I may lower the passenger side down a little, but I'm already ass-high and don't want to go down too much. Other than that, I haven't had any issues at all with the SAWs. The dealer told me they couldn't get the camber aligned to spec last week because of the "aftermarket lift", but I've had two previous alignments from other shops without any issues.

I just got an alignment today and they had no problem. Mine are set at 2 1/8"over stock so I think I'll be okay as far as the cv's go. A question about the cv's. Is it the just boots that get torn from the angle or does it mess up the whole cv joint? If it's only the boots I've seen some advertised as "high angle" boots that may help. But if it does become a problem over time I may just go with a manual conversion myself. My first tacoma came from the factory with them, I wish they still had that option.

 

[hytenor]

I just got an alignment today and they had no problem. Mine are set at 2 1/8"over stock so I think I'll be okay as far as the cv's go. A question about the cv's. Is it the just boots that get torn from the angle or does it mess up the whole cv joint? If it's only the boots I've seen some advertised as "high angle" boots that may help. But if it does become a problem over time I may just go with a manual conversion myself. My first tacoma came from the factory with them, I wish they still had that option.

the joints themselves can handle just over 3.5". upper ball joints, that much or less. The inner boots are the problem. you can swap them out for high-angle boots from a couple different sources for around $50/axle.

keeping the boots clean will help prolong their life. spray them with silicone every now and then after cleaning them.