Humming after lift

Have done a lot of searching and found a few threads about the needle bearing.
2011 Trail Edition 114,000 miles. Tires are stock size (265/70/17) Nitto Ridge Grappler and have been on about a year.
I've had a spacer lift on the truck for around 4 years, no problem and no noise. Decided to put a new lift with springs and shocks on. Had the Toytec/Bilstein lift installed, now a very loud humming win I drive.
I tested different driving and no change in noise.
I drove in 4 wheel drive and humming still there.I put the truck in neutral while in 4 wheel drive and no change in noise.
I drove in 2 wheel drive and also put the truck in neutral while driving and no change in noise.
The offroad shop that put the lift on said it's probably the tires. I told them they've been on about a year so I don't think it's them.
Every thing I've read about the needle bearing says when you put it in 4 wheel drive the humming stops. My doesn't. Any ideas ?

 

It doesn't sound like a needle bearing then.

The only thing that comes to mind would be your u-joints. With the lift, your driveshaft made a small change in angle which could potentially be causing your hum. Not for sure, but maybe start there.

Edit: just re-read your post and it says you had spacers on previously. Did you go the same height as when you had spacers on?

 

The new lift raised it about 1/2 to 3/4 inch higher.
If it is the drive shaft is it fixable or just live with it ?
Also is it safe to drive if it is the drive shaft ?

 

Greasing your u-joints/driveshaft/propeller shaft would be the first place I would start. That's the easiest, cheapest thing to do.

This video is for an 03-09 but the method is the same for your truck.

https://youtu.be/P-kwgAhyIX4

 

and no, you don't have to live with it.

Obviously there was some change as soon as you put the new lift on.

It's just a matter of narrowing things down until you find the fix.

U-joints are something that can hum and a different lift angle can potentially affect them. They're also easy to grease, so a good place to start. If greasing doesn't fix them, replacing them might be the next step, which isn't that bad either.

But this shit is hard to diagnose over the internet. I don't want to send you on a wild goose chase. Just giving one suggestion to try.

 

Thanks for you time on answering. Will start with greasing the drive shaft.

 

No prob. I know the shop that installed your lift wasn't much help when you told them about the problem. It might be beneficial to go down there, have them ride with you, and demonstrate the problem to them........reminding them it didn't exist before the lift.

 

Can you record the sound and post a clip here? How do your cv angles look, pics?

stupid, checked springs for tags hanging off? Could be something as simple as a tag on the new product humming with wind passing over it. Louder at higher speeds? Any change over bumps?

 

c v angles look pretty good. They put a differential drop on. Haven't a clue how to post pictures or sound clip. I'm not very good with computers. If it wasn't for google telling me how to spell words I wouldn't be typing this. LOL
Did grease the drive shaft and it did nothing. Going to have the wheel bearing checked next.
I'm not what you would call a mechanic, but was able to grease the drive shaft.
Have a appointment this Friday the 27th with the people that put the lift on.
Thanks all for the help so far.

 

Check the drain holes in your LCA. The 3rd gen Tacoma’s had an issue with humming at certain LCA angles. Turns out it was air moving over the drain holes causing a hum or whistle sound. A simple plastic plug resolves it.

 

Just a update to this thread. The passenger side wheel bearing was bad. They replaced both passenger side and driver side.
The truck drives great now and no humming noise. Thanks for all your help.

 

Glad you figured it out!