Fantastic 2007 Toyota Tacoma - Fantastic Four Tech

We began our morning at Eliminator Motorsports in Santee, California, where lead installer Dale opened up the Advanced Flow Engineering (aFe) intake box and checked its contents. The performance air intake includes a high-flow filter, metal heat shield, plastic tubing, and all of the necessary mounting hardware.
We began our morning at Eliminator Motorsports in Santee, California, where lead installer
The factory intake box was removed, along with the restrictive convoluted ducting, and engine cover.
The factory intake box was removed, along with the restrictive convoluted ducting, and eng

A nice part of the aFe kit was the inclusion of the factory MAF sensor. Here, Dale screwed the factory MAF into the new aFe plastic tube.
A nice part of the aFe kit was the inclusion of the factory MAF sensor. Here, Dale screwed

Answering the call of dozens of readers who wanted to see more Tacoma tech, we went big with this story. Starting with an '07 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner 2WD with the 4.0L V-6, we contacted Pro Comp for one of its new 6/3.5-inch Stage 2 lift kits with premium MX 2.75c coilovers in the front, strong lift spindles, and MX6 adjustable shocks in the rear. This kit allows the midsize Tacoma to clear fullsize 35-inch Xterrain M/T 3 tires and we ordered those from Pro Comp Tire. Bolted onto 18-inch KMC Hoss wheels with simulated bead locks, the 35-inch tire combo screams custom, especially on the Tacoma. For added power, an Advanced Flow Engineering (aFe) intake was quickly bolted on and a MagnaFlow performance exhaust was installed.

With these simple upgrades, the Toyota took on a whole new persona. Having the right shop wrench on your ride is always important, which is a big reason why we drove down to Eliminator Motorsports in Santee, California, and spent some time photographing the install. Check out the before and after pics and get ready to be impressed.

FROM THE DRIVER SEAT
Several factors lead to the extra time and extra hassle of this install. Mis-boxed wheels were a nightmare and then when we thought we had the solution, the wheel hub diameter was too small. Once the lift spindles were in place, we couldn't put the factory 16-inch wheels on the truck and drive home. Getting dropped off at a rental car store wasn't fun, then spending the extra $50 wasn't real pleasant either. Luckily for you, we made all of the mistakes possible. Do your homework first: make sure the parts ordered will work for that specific application. The Tacoma does ride nice and the 35-inch tires aren't as loud as they could be. Keep in mind, this is the Stage 2 kit that is more expensive than the non-coilover option. If $3,200 isn't in your budget, the Stage 1 kits goes for about a grand less. We wanted to show you just how cool the Tacoma could be, though, and went big.

Overall, the truck looks awesome and the added functionality was worth the price in frustration.

PARTS USED
AFE Intake 54-11352............................$299.96
KMC Hoss Wheels 18x9-inch......................$1,077.40
KMC Powdercoated Simulated Bead Locks..........$552.00
MagnaFlow Exhaust 16625........................$473.12
Pro Comp Supensions 6/3.5 Stage 2 Lift Kit.....$3,236.26
Pro Comp Tires 305/70R18 Xterrain M/T3.........$1,596.64
(All prices from Eliminator Motorsports)

Total..........................................$7,235.38
Labor Cost and Alignment.......................$1,230.00

Unfortunately, the new metal heat shield would not sufficiently clear the power steering reservoir, so Dale pulled out his disc grinder and trimmed off a small corner for added clearance.
Unfortunately, the new metal heat shield would not sufficiently clear the power steering r
With the heat shield bolted down and the weather stripping in place to seal the box to the hood, Dale was able to mount the new aFe intake tube and high-flow filter.
With the heat shield bolted down and the weather stripping in place to seal the box to the
After securing the vacuum hose and reconnecting the MAF sensor wiring harness, the factory Toyota engine cover was reinstalled and the engine was ready for better-breathing.
After securing the vacuum hose and reconnecting the MAF sensor wiring harness, the factory

Moving to the suspension part of our Fantastic Four, Dale placed the Tacoma on the lift, removed the wheels and tires, and began the tear down.
Moving to the suspension part of our Fantastic Four, Dale placed the Tacoma on the lift, r
Dale inspected all of the parts prior to dismantling the suspension. This was in order to help him locate all of the electronics, such as this ABS sensor located on the spindle.
Dale inspected all of the parts prior to dismantling the suspension. This was in order to
He then removed the brake calipers, rotors, wheel bearing and hub assembly, sway bar links, tie rod end links, and then unbolted the spindle from the lower control arm.
He then removed the brake calipers, rotors, wheel bearing and hub assembly, sway bar links

With the spindle free, Dale was able to gain access to the factory coilover and remove it. Next up, Dale pulled the lower control arms free.
With the spindle free, Dale was able to gain access to the factory coilover and remove it.
Here, you can see the Pro Comp Tacoma lift kit. Included in the stage 2 kit are MX 2.75c coilovers, heavy-duty steel drop-down brackets, reinforced lift spindles, rear MX6 adjustable shocks, an add-a-leaf, blocks, and hardware.
Here, you can see the Pro Comp Tacoma lift kit. Included in the stage 2 kit are MX 2.75c c
Dale began the suspension assembly by bolting on the forward lower control arm drop-down bracket.
Dale began the suspension assembly by bolting on the forward lower control arm drop-down b

Several holes were required to be drilled at this point. This common lift kit step ensured the new brackets were securely mounted onto the frame substructure.
Several holes were required to be drilled at this point. This common lift kit step ensured
Another hole was drilled onto the front of the drop down bracket to provide lateral support to the bracket. Each nut in the kit had an extension on it to make tightening the hardware easier.
Another hole was drilled onto the front of the drop down bracket to provide lateral suppor
With the large drop-down brackets tightened and the new holes filled with bolts, Dale installed the factory lower control arm.
With the large drop-down brackets tightened and the new holes filled with bolts, Dale inst

Pro Comp's lift kit reuses the factory bump stops, but it extends them down by using a spacer. Here, Dale installed the longer spacer.
Pro Comp's lift kit reuses the factory bump stops, but it extends them down by using a spa
After bolting the Toyota-specific strut cup to the top of the Pro Comp MX 2.75c coilover, Dale bolted the coilover in place. Since Pro Comp's coilovers are tuned at the factory, no adjustments were necessary for optimal ride and handling conditions.
After bolting the Toyota-specific strut cup to the top of the Pro Comp MX 2.75c coilover,
Side by side, there is no real comparison for spindles. The emaciated factory Toyota spindle looks like a toy next to the new burly Pro Comp lift spindle. After the upper ball joint was loosely installed, the bottom control arm and hub were reinstalled.
Side by side, there is no real comparison for spindles. The emaciated factory Toyota spind

Dale had some help in mounting the sway bar, which was dropped down with spacers to properly align with the new spindles. The end links were then secured to the spindle.
Dale had some help in mounting the sway bar, which was dropped down with spacers to proper
Things were quickly going back together at this point, which is when Dale reinstalled the brake rotors and calipers.
Things were quickly going back together at this point, which is when Dale reinstalled the
Pro Comp's lift spindles also made provisions for the ABS sensors. Here, Dale installed the sensor and checked the wiring to keep it away from moving parts.
Pro Comp's lift spindles also made provisions for the ABS sensors. Here, Dale installed th

Drop down brackets were then installed to help the brake lines reach the caliper.
Dale knew that aligning the Tacoma with the lift was going to be a problem, so per the Pro Comp instructions, he trimmed 3/8-inch off the tie rod end, then secured it to the lift spindle.
Dale knew that aligning the Tacoma with the lift was going to be a problem, so per the Pro
Buttoned up, the front suspension looked ready for the trails with its new lift spindles and big coilovers.
Buttoned up, the front suspension looked ready for the trails with its new lift spindles a

Finishing up the front, Dale installed the parallel lateral impact bars to the crossmember and rear drop down bracket.
Finishing up the front, Dale installed the parallel lateral impact bars to the crossmember
Looking underneath the Tacoma, serious hardware means serious fun to us.
Out back, the factory U-bolts were removed, the leaf spring pack was clamped, and the retaining bolt was removed.
Out back, the factory U-bolts were removed, the leaf spring pack was clamped, and the reta

With the add-a-lead in place, the new retaining bolt was installed and the excess threads were cut off.
With the add-a-lead in place, the new retaining bolt was installed and the excess threads
Lift blocks and MX6 adjustable shocks completed the rear suspension lift.
Helping keep driveshaft vibrations to a minimum, these spacers were installed in between the driveshaft bearing.
Helping keep driveshaft vibrations to a minimum, these spacers were installed in between t

After a full day of work, we thought it was time to ride in style. We thought wrong, as the 18-inch KMC Diesel wheel boxes were filled with 17-inch wheels. This is a big problem when you have 18-inch tires ready for mounting. After an exhausting search to track down 17-inch tires for the shoot, we ran into our second problem. Tacoma trucks have a large 60mm hub bore and the KMC wheels had a much smaller hub. We were really screwed.
After a full day of work, we thought it was time to ride in style. We thought wrong, as th
At 6:30 p.m., it was impossible to find the right wheels and tires to complete the shoot, so the truck stayed on the rack, and we headed for a rental car store. One credit card swipe later, we were on our way home in a Suzuki. Super.
At 6:30 p.m., it was impossible to find the right wheels and tires to complete the shoot,
Bright and early the next morning, we drove to the San Diego Wheel Pros warehouse and picked up the right hub diameter wheels. Once the wheels and tires had been mounted and balanced at Eliminator Motorsports, Dale performed a computer alignment to complete the install.
Bright and early the next morning, we drove to the San Diego Wheel Pros warehouse and pick

The 18-inch Hoss wheels were not the original style choice, but they did look good mounted onto the new Pro Comp Xterrain M/T 3 tires, sized 305/70R18. Thirty-five inch tires on the Toyota looked great, while the black powdercoated simulated wheel bead locks added to the off-road look.
The 18-inch Hoss wheels were not the original style choice, but they did look good mounted
We didn't have the MagnaFlow exhaust at the time of the suspension install, but once we did have it, a short drive to CarrTech Muffler, reachable at (949) 951-6143, in Mission Viejo, California, completed the Fantastic Four treatment. Once there, Chris removed the factory exhaust in one piece, by removing the two bolts from the head pipe and popping the hangars free.
We didn't have the MagnaFlow exhaust at the time of the suspension install, but once we di
The new MagnaFlow exhaust is much larger in diameter than the Toyota exhaust, and the straight-through muffler should free up some ponies.
The new MagnaFlow exhaust is much larger in diameter than the Toyota exhaust, and the stra

Chris installed the head pipe, then he inserted the muffler into position.
After he slipped the tailpipe into the hangar, Chris used a muffler stand to get everything perfectly aligned before tightening down all of the clamps.
After he slipped the tailpipe into the hangar, Chris used a muffler stand to get everythin
This is what the polished exhaust tip looked like after the mud-bogging trip.

SOURCE
Advanced Flow Engineering (aFe) 191 Granite St. Corona CA 92879	Magnaflow Performance
Eliminator Motorsports eliminatormotorsports.com	Pro Comp Suspension
KMC Wheel Co. 1455 Columbia Ave. Riverside CA 92507 Dept. TR	Pro Competition Tire & Wheel Co.