For this half of our two-part Tacoma tech, we started with an '07 Crew Cab longbed 4x4 with puny tires and steel wheels. Competitive Edge Motorsports in Riverside, California, was in for a surprise, since this truck was getting a fresh-off-the-assembly-line 6-inch Tuff Country suspension. While the kit was tested on a vehicle at Tuff Country's facilities, this was actually the first one they shipped. The kit was so new, there weren't even instructions written yet. To complement the truck's new suspension, Walker Evans wheels and BFGoodrich's newest off-road tires offering were selected for duty.
Follow along, as we show you how Eryn Benell and Wayne Hicken made it all come together, along with an Airaid intake and Flowmaster exhaust to elevate this truck's performance.
The fresh-off-the-line Tuff Country lift included taller knuckles, drop brackets, rear add-a-leaves, shocks, lift blocks, and the optional Sway-A-Way Racerunner coilovers. | 
Eryn removed the wheels and front mudflaps before removing the dust cap on the front hub. Once the cap had been removed, Eryn took out the cotter pin and released the front driveshaft from the hub. |
An impact wrench was used to loosen the upper ball joint, after its cotter pin was removed. | 
With the front skidplate out of his way, Eryn unbolted the sway bar. |
With two bolts removed from the lower ball joint, Eryn could then remove the knuckle/hub assembly. | 
Three bolts held the top of the factory coilover in place. Eryn used a ratcheting wrench to free it. |