[TF-41]

Guys about a week ago I installed some Toytec shackles set at max height (1.5" lift) on my 17 TRD DC along with 6112s(max)/5100s rear. What I noticed is how I have anywhere between 1/2"-3/4" clearance now between the leaf springs and the TRD dual exhaust pipes where they cross underneath. At first I didn't see any issues until I took the truck for a spirited ride down some rough stuff. What I constantly heard is the leaf springs contacting the exhaust pipes during any sort of sharp rough recoil on the rear end. Needless to say it is f-ing annoying and I DO NOT like the idea of my pipes making contact with the springs and vice versa. On the road 99% on the time no contact is made but hit a frost heave/speed bump or a sharp rut and you definitely hear the *ting of the pipes hitting once again. I'm open to suggestions short of cutting off the pipes prior to traveling under the leaf spring. Not going to happen there.

I was thinking of either bending the exhaust hangers a bit hopefully dropping the tips down an inch?? or maybe getting some different exhaust hanger bushings which have an extended length to accomplish the same thing.

I cannot be the first person to ever complain about this as I know other people have installed Coachs +3s and Toytec Shackles set on max (1.5") on their TRD exhaust trucks. What I couldn't find it any info about it on this site. I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance here. I do not want to drop the shackles to the 1" setting either as I think the truck looks perfect with the slight rake to the rear right now. Thanks!!

 

[seikoh]

Interesting situation. I've got a 17 TRD DC w/ 5100s front and back and the TRD exhaust. I have a set of Coach +2s that I'll be putting on this weekend. I've also got a set of Firestone air bags though. Right now from leaf to exhaust I see around 2.75" of clearance w/ the air bags at about 20lbs. The +2s should allow me to drop to minimal pressure in the bags, I'm curious to see how that and the +2s effects the clearance.

 

[Watt maker]

I was looking at the same shackles and visited Toytec to look at them but they immediately told me they'll contact the TRD exhaust. It even states this on the webpage " **For vehicles with the TRD Exhaust, the exhaust will need to be modified to work with shackles." However, Ekstrom design told me that their +2 shackles will barely touch the exhaust, only when I'm extremely flexed out. Not sure why the difference between the two but I ordered the +2 CB shackles so I will see if that's true or not. I'm not sure how their +3 shackles would work with the TRD exhaust though. If all else fails, I'll sell the CB shackles and throw a 1" block back there. There was just a lot of positive reviews on the CB shackles so I went that way. They should be here this week.

I think you could possibly bend the exhaust hangers down a little and/or get longer rubber hangers to move the exhaust. I'm hoping I don't have to go this route as well, I don't really like the exhaust hanging too low.

 

[TF-41]

Thanks guys. I will most likely try bending down the hangers a bit but may also add some stiffer poly bushings for the exhaust. The stock rubber ones bounce quite a bit when I did some experimenting. Otherwise I think if I gained an inch more in space no issues will be existent anymore. When contact is made it isn't any sort of deadening "bang" but more of a *ting *ting sound which means contact is JUST happenning. I could only imagine coachs plus 3s would do the same thing. How couldn't they??? I know the coachs plus 2s are a bit shorter than the toytecs maxed out like I have.

 

[GreatAvalon]

Thanks for this post, OP. It's good to know for sure.

To the guys who are getting +2 CB...Please keep us posted on if there is any contact when driving on-road or off-road. I don't off-road, but still would like to know if the +2 shackles will limit me. Especially if hitting speed bumps at a high rate of speed

 

[Leks]

I just dumped my exhaust after the axle and rewelded the tip back on. Actually looks cleaner with no tailpipes.


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[seikoh]

Here's a follow-up after installing the +2s. TRD exhaust clearance went from 2.75" to 1.5" which makes sense since they provide 1.25" of lift. Brought the air bag pressure back down to between 5 and 10 psi. Rubber exhaust hangers do move around and flex a bit, probably a good 1/2". Also lost a fair amount of spare tire clearance, but that's to be expected as these things are beefy.

Ride is much better, you can definitely tell a difference. I went down to the local shopping center and had some fun hitting those big ass table top speed bumps with some force, didn't notice any metal on metal contact. Not sure if the air bags are playing a role at all. Some of the local patrons were probably wondering what the hell I was doing. Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.

 

[TF-41]

Nice. I can see from your pics the coachs +2s gave you a bit more clearance than the toytecs maxed out. But....I have the stance I want (1" rake) and will not consider swapping. As for ride, I did opt for the poly replacement bushings as well and I will definitly confirm a huge rear and ride improvement! No more shimmy shakes from the bed area or anything. I was hesitant at first reading about the upgrade for the poly and the possible difference it could make....oh it certainly does!!!

 

[tstieb]

I have CB +2s and TRD duals. Havent hit the leafs yet but also haven't wheeled much lately. Subd to see how everyone handles this.

 

[GR8White]

I just dumped my exhaust after the axle and rewelded the tip back on. Actually looks cleaner with no tailpipes.


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@Leks, did you dump a TRD muffler?

 

[GR8White]

Thanks guys. I will most likely try bending down the hangers a bit but may also add some stiffer poly bushings for the exhaust. The stock rubber ones bounce quite a bit when I did some experimenting. Otherwise I think if I gained an inch more in space no issues will be existent anymore. When contact is made it isn't any sort of deadening "bang" but more of a *ting *ting sound which means contact is JUST happenning. I could only imagine coachs plus 3s would do the same thing. How couldn't they??? I know the coachs plus 2s are a bit shorter than the toytecs maxed out like I have.

I've heard of the toytec shackles making contact somewhere else when on the 1" setting. People seem to love them because they're not as expensive as the CB shackles but that also goes to show you how much research and testing @Coachbuilder1 does on his products. Not to mention I know there are some people out west who use his shackles with TRD pipes and really wheel their trucks

 

[Leks]

@Leks, did you dump a TRD muffler?

Sorry just skimmed through the post. I don't have the TRD duals, it's just a magnaflow muffler swap.


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[TF-41]

I know the Toytec shackles will make contact with a bolt end coming down from the bed on either the passenger or drivers side on 1" setting. Mine are maxed at 1.5". Definitly no contact. It's just funny to realize how a .25" difference from coachs +2 and a Toytec maxed out (1.5") is such a difference as far as lead spring clearance. Again I would like to hear from guys running coach +3s and TRD exhausts and see if they have any issues????

 

[Currentking]

I have the +2 coachbuilders on my PRO and when the truck is in the air with suspension fully extended it does not hit the exhaust. It is mighty close but doesn't hit.

 

[Worktruck?]

on my truck, with OME 2.5" lift springs and 2" rear shackles (6" front lift/4" rear) and my factory single exhaust hit the leaf spring frequently. Had a local shop weld extension to the exhaust hanger on the pipe and it lowered the tailpipe enough so there is no contact. Total cost $35....

 

[GreatAvalon]

on my truck, with OME 2.5" lift springs and 2" rear shackles (6" front lift/4" rear) and my factory single exhaust hit the leaf spring frequently. Had a local shop weld extension to the exhaust hanger on the pipe and it lowered the tailpipe enough so there is no contact. Total cost $35....

But now is your exhaust hanging all out and low?

 

[Leks]

1.5" lift shackles, TRD exhaust and leaf spring issues.

on my truck, with OME 2.5" lift springs and 2" rear shackles (6" front lift/4" rear) and my factory single exhaust hit the leaf spring frequently. Had a local shop weld extension to the exhaust hanger on the pipe and it lowered the tailpipe enough so there is no contact. Total cost $35....

Hacksawed the tailpipe off myself. Muffler shop welded this tip on for free when they did the muffler swap.


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[Worktruck?]

$35 Solution

Its barely noticable, and since my truck sits pretty high now I think it looks right for the pipe to be a tad lower. Here are pics of tailpipe and modified mounting bracket.

 

[TF-41]

So anyways I bought two of these polyurethane exhaust bushing hangers off of eBay made from autobahn88. Some euro company. Obviously with poly it will be a lot more rigid than the floppy Toyota factory rubber ones which allow a lot of swing and bounce. Based on the factory TRD hanger design I can actually use both upper stems in the adjacent holes(frame mount) then drop the exhaust hanger into whatever clearance I need as all distances and hole diameters seem to be perfect. I measured the factory one and it basically drops the frame stem hanger from from the exhaust pipe an inch. This will allow up to 3". I'm hoping I will get away with just an additional inch to keep the pipes looking right as viewed from the rear of truck. I'll let you guys know how it works out....told me a week to recieve. Fingers crossed....

 

[TF-41]

All done. Took for a "hell ride" and no more contact with the pipes. Poly bushings are so much stiffer and as you can see I dropped the pipes about 3/4" on the second hole. The hole diameters for the hangers were perfect and the spacing for the top two hangers off the frame were right on as well. The pipes swing not even half as much as they did before with the factory Toyota bushings which were super spongy. 5 mins under the truck and done. The placement of the exhaust tips remained the same just about an inch lower from the rear panel (I honestly think it looks better on the lifted rear than so damn tight and tucked). So.... for anyone contemplating using the Toytec shackles on 1.5" lift with your TRD pipes...here is your $30 fix!!!! Guess I played Guinea pig on this one.