5 lug 95.5-04 Lowering info for newbs

Thanks a lot for the replay @2Runner , I do need to replace the shocks on my truck, they are totally done and my thought was that it would probably be better to use the Belltech ones than a stock replacement ones... A buddy of mine just installed some Bilstein B6 4600 on his stock 97 single cab and loves them.

 

The best prices I’ve found so far for the Belltech Springs and shock are from Jeg’s eBay store (they are cheaper there than in their website) and the block also on eBay from Chassis Techs store

 

Good hearing good stuff about the Bilsteins!

I think the Belltechs would ride really nice, but I noticed the details state they are for a 2-3" drop which you stated are only going for 1.5/2". Maybe a good idea to call Belltech to confirm these would still work out for your application.

Description pulled from Jegs Ebay store:
Street Performance Shock Set

• Front/Rear

• 2" - 3" Drop
  Includes:

• (2) 146-10101I Front Shocks

• (2) 146-2210HH Rear Shocks
  Import Truck & SUV 2WD Applications

• 2004 Toyota Tacoma (2"-3" Drop)

 

Yo, just signed up.
Had a 97 4x4 and a 13 4x4. Moved to a 14 lifted Tundra but got sick of having to park the damn thing.
Now I'm back in a 96 TACO and I'm a little embarrassed to say I never heard of a 5-Lug before owning one.
I want to level it and my knee jerk reaction is raise the front.... brain is still in 4x4 mode I guess.
I'm thinking of DJM 2" Aluminum lowering blocks - LB2LK
Any issues I should be aware of?
Thanks guys

 

A lot of people recommend steel block over aluminum. I bought steel ones. Aluminum can expand and contract due to heat

 

The DJM site says the steel ones are for "souped up rides" but your right about aluminum being affected by heat.

Think I'll play it safe and get the steel ones!

Thanks Hooks98tacoma

 

If you feel like waitin you can buy them at your local parts house. Advance auto I’ve seen them there before

 

Cool

Thanks for the info

 

Nice truck! Looks like you got some custom wheels and tires, not sure about your offset and tire size but if those are really tall tires I wonder if you may get any rubbing...

 

Thanks, it had Method 301 16x8 4.5 BS with Geolander 215/65R16 on it when I bought it.
Just trying to lower/level the rear right now.
Maybe go to a 15 or 14 wheel in the future......

 

The quick answer is this "may" not work! I'll explain what I can to help as much as I can..

Your clearance has to do with the tire diameter and wheel offset more than the wheel size. How tall your tire is, and how centered is it within the fender wells basically is what to look out for when lowering.

E.g Looking at the Tacoma World tire calculator tells me your 215-65-16 tire diameter is 27", compared to stock which would be a 205-75-15 which is actually 27.11" tall. So in essence you are running a larger wheel yet a shorter tire comparatively speaking.

The rule of thumb is you need a 25" tire for a 4" drop, so that would roughly equate to a 26" tire for a 2" drop, so you are really close and may just rub "occasionally" based on tire height. Keep in mind these are rough estimates and results vary all over the board. Let's move on since this is just half the equation...

Backspacing is a different measurement than offset, but here is a chart to convert your 8" wide wheel with a 4.5" backspace - shows us you have a 0mm offset.



Referring to my and using a stock SRunner wheel width of 6.5" and 30mm offset compared to you 8" and 0 offset, I see you gain 11mm clearance from the inside (inner fenders) but you actually have extended the wheel 49mm to the outside of the fender. You may have some wheel actually sticking out from the fender already in this case, but you are running a slimmer tire (205 vs 235) which may help a bit.

All this said, I dont know for sure but I would think if you drop the rear 2" with your current tire set up you may experience some rubbing over the bumps.

Or forget all I said above and toss it out the window.. for some real world testing and to prove the concept, how about loading up the bed with rocks or something heavy until you get a 2" drop and just take her for a spin?!

 

Wow! I'd hate to see the Long version answer if this is the quick one!

Dang, thanks so much for the detailed response. Tons of good info here.

Sounds like the 2" on the rear may be an issue..... I'm gonna give it a try and bump down to a 1" if I have too.

What ever configuration I go with will be temporary until I get some Wheel & Tire money.

25" overall diameter is the goal.

Thinking Enkei 92 Black 15x7, BFG Rad T/A 205/60R15?

I like the White Letter NASCAR look on the tires.

 

Hahha! My quick answer was "this may not work"..

then I added extra info to help you understand why and find something that works for you!

 

I emailed them asking about this setup and they told me...

“Hello,

Thank you for contacting Belltech.
We have not done a test fitting on the 95 Tacoma so I can't say if our parts will work on your vehicles platform.”

 

Sounds like a reason to stick with OEM replacement shocks that you know will work to me! Have you driven your buddies truck with the Bilsteins?

 

Yeah, I’m still doing some research about shocks, stock length ones with firmer damping like the KYB MonoMax are another option... and no, I have not driven my buddy’s truck, hopefully I get to do so soon

 

Got my 2" Steel block kit today from DJM! - SB2LK






Guess my Saturday just got filled up.


TOY 96 Build/Maintenance

 

Hope this works out pardner, let us know how it goes with PICS please!

 

I just swapped out my KYB Excel G for the Bilstein 4600's yesterday and will share my experience after a 2 hour fun drive on the freeways, streets, and my favorite canyon test & tune roads.

These are both gas charged shocks, though the Bilsteins definitely are a tad bit firmer when needed - less float over bumps at speed (which lets you relax more), more stable handling, and give a bit quicker turn in. The KYB's were old, but not totally shot with just about 20k+ miles. I would say they are actually quite comparable overall but if you want to push your truck to the limits this is where the Bilsteins make the difference in both highway speeds and quick turns.

Summary: The KYB's are about half the price though so if you are not into "spirited" driving I would highly recommend the KYB's to save some dough. For my usage, I am happy I paid the dollars and did the work! This is my "fun truck build" after all..



I didnt measure but it seemed to even raise the truck a tad, here is Trudy on one of my favorite local mountain rides yesterday.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Bilsteins, definitely ones to consider... Trudy looks good man!