Looks pretty good! Please update as you get some seat time with the lift.


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I will. Just got my camping gear back into the van and it is nearly ready to go. Unfortunately work is very busy now so can't take time off for a trip while it is still relatively cool here in NC. Uwharrie national forest is a few hours west of me where I can use campgrounds and/or dispersed camping. Looking forward to it.

 

Nice, great looking lift. Please give an update on the handling as I am looking at the same project for my van. Thanks for posting.

 

No problems at this point. I drive it daily to the office. Thought I'd get away for a camping trip but workload is pretty heavy right now.

 

Made my first trip in my Traxda lifted 2015 AWD. All went well on forest service roads around Black Mountain NC (Pisgah NF) and no issues to report. Started snowing on me on top of Mt Mitchell after the temperature dropped to 32F on my ride up to the summit. The van handled the service roads well and actually achieved my highest fuel economy yet on the way home at 28+ mpg. I am starting to think about +1 or +2 tires.

 

I had Traxda kit done last year, ~2" all around. H&R DRS spacers 15mm/front, 20mm rear.

Just upsized tires slightly, from 235/55/18 to 235/60/18. Fits wheel well/gap very nicely. Retained 235 on OE 18" wheel, had no desire to go wider given appearance w/ spacers, plus narrower is better in snow.

I think this combo hits a good sweet spot. If you want Journeys 3.5" lift, you might consider larger spacers or tires.

 

235/60/18 or 235/65/18 are the sizes I am considering. Hadn't really thought much about spacers. Are they necessary with +1 or +2 tires?

 

Once someone on this board noted the "sunken" wheels, I saw it on mine and couldn't unsee it. The 15/20mm are pretty moderate and push the wheels out to a good place. For H&R spacers, going beyond 20" meant leaving "DRS series" for "DRA series", and using two sets of bolts. I just preferred simplicity using one set of longer bolts.

My preferred tire has 235/60/18 in V-rated, but 235/65/18 drops to H or T. Since OE was V, I wanted to stay w/ V. Looking at the new 235/60/18, its fits the wheel well nicely so no regrets. Hard to say if that extra ~1/2" on 235/65/18 might cause any fitment issues.

One other factor - I ditched RFT long ago, now carrying spare 155/90/17 - 28" diameter. That's 99.3% of 28.2" on 235/55/18, and 96.2% of 29.1" on 235/60/18. But only 93.3% of 30" on 235/65/18. So just another factor.

 

No problems to report, about 1500 miles and a few camping trips in national forests.

 

Okay, first issue. My hydraulic lift will now not raise the van high enough to rotate tires.
What lifts are you guys using for your lifted Sienna's?

 

You can try those 2"+ pucks for the lift.

 

I am going to buy a 3 ton Daytona at Harbor Freight. 20" lift.

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I noticed Traxda has a promo code option when ordering — anybody know if they periodically run sales/promotions?

 

I don't know about the Traxda site, but Darkside Motoring is currently selling the kit at a significant discount. Here's the full kit: Traxda Leveling Kit 2011-2020 Toyota Sienna - 2" Front / 1.8" Rear 906025

Traxda sales actually suggested Darkside to me.

Just spoke with Darkside, and they said the kits are shipped directly from Traxda. Though from what I can tell, shipping is about $5 more going through Darkside.

 

Does the Traxda lift kit fit the 2021 Sienna? Their website doesn't show anything for a Siennas that are newer than 2020.

 

Are the end links you used needed because stock links become too long when blocks are installed? I currently ran into this issue and my van is at the shop now. We ordered a new set of end links (not the same ones you used but hopefully they work). Ill update on how install goes!

 

The stock links are too short. The longer Highlander Moog links add 2" to compensate for the 2" higher sway bar after the Traxda install.

 

Hello,

i ran into the exact opposite on my 2011 Sienna. The OEM links were too long and I had to get 2” shorter ones.
Edgar

 

Fascinating. I wonder how that would be possible given the Sienna suspension geometry.

 

Fascinating. I wonder how that would be possible given the Sienna suspension geometry.

Based on the diagram, which matches what I saw when I crawled under my van:

My guess is that the spacer on the strut raises the body (A) and therefore raises the sway bar end (B) by the same amount (the sway bar is attached to the body). This reduces the distance between (B) and strut attachment point (C). So, a shorter link is needed to span that distance.

 

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Is the traxda kit something that can be installed at home? I'm fairly handy. Any out of the ordinary stuff?

 

I am considering the same. I have access to a lift. Sounds like you might not have to borrow spring compressors unless you are doing additional work. You WILL need to get the vehicle aligned after. There are a couple videos this guy did on changing out the front struts/rear shocks, which is basically what you do to install the Traxda kit and that made me feel more comfortable commiting to the project. While its all opened up, prob going to throw on a new strut assembly and new rear struts since its going to be accessible. Also, while the vehicle is on the lift, going to pop in the AirLift 1000 to compensate for when we have a heavy load in teh back of the van.

 

I just had the Traxda kit installed on my 2015 Sienna XLE AWD. I considered doing it myself but have a broken bone in my wrist that is still healing. The mechanic had some struggles with the rear springs, and he had a spring compressor to help him. He said I probably would not have gotten the rear spring lifts in at home without pry bars and some help. I had new KYB Excel-G shocks and struts installed at the same time since I have 96k on my van. Drives great and I'm really happy with the choice so far. It's a tiny bit more firm of a ride in the back, but the new shocks refreshed the ride overall.

 

That looks awesome, exactly what I'm looking for. Did you replace the rear coil springs as well or just the front spring strut combo and rear strut or whatever it's called?

 

Can you show us a picture of the Traxda shock extender installed on your Sienna? For some reason I am having a hard time picturing it.

 

Sure...Here is the passenger side rear shock extender. Let me know if you need additional pic(s).

 

My Traxda kit is still performing well. Tomorrow I am having a set of Defender 235/60R18 tires installed.
Last month took it to South Dakota.
Points for anyone who can tell where this pic was taken.

 

My Traxda kit is still performing well. Tomorrow I am having a set of Defender 235/60R18 tires installed.
Last month took it to South Dakota.
Points for anyone who can tell where this pic was taken.

View attachment 59568

Nice! I like the awning! Next week or so I'm trading out my Yoko G015 tires (that wore out pretty fast) with Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires (235/60R18) I want to put a Thule 859XT roof basket on, along with a few other aesthetic mods.

 

Now I get it. Thanks for posting the picture.

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Last time I checked traxda wanted to charge me $98 for the shock extenders. They do seem to be a good solution, though

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I bought the whole kit with them.
Kit #906030 – 2004-2020 Toyota Sienna – 2″ Front/1.8 ” Rear +Sway Bar Links & Shock Brackets
$391.91

 

That's too bad, although I do not see why rotating the shock 90 degrees would cause a failure lie that.
Yes, two extension spacers were included with my kit that had the effect of extending the shocks travel about 1/2" iirc.
Although sometimes I still hit the limits of travel while going over large bumps in the road.
Here is a pic of the spacer and the amount of thread showing after installation.

 

So my "plan B" for the repair is to put on Monroe shocks (37301 Monroe OESpectrum Toyota Sienna) in the back. They spec out at ~0.44"+/- longer when fully extended. I was going to remove the shock extenders and just go with the longer shock and spacers like you show. Shocks are being delivered today and I should be able to get to work on it either tomorrow afternoon or possibly Saturday.

 

 

Could someone please explain the need for extenders? My lift is 2 years old, no issues yet with factory shocks.

https://traxdaliftkits.com/product/kit-906027/

 

Is what you've listed, what you do have or what you don't have?