1st Gen 5 Lug Front Suspension

I took the plunge and bought a taco. It is a high mileage 2000 SR5 2W. Almost no rust underneath and it seems like it has been taken care of.

The problem that I can't find a good answer on is what to do about the front suspension. It has almost 270k miles on it and I'm 90% certain it has the original suspension. The leaf springs ride flat without any load and the cab still rides lower than the bed.

All of the products I have found are either specific to the 4w configuration, or are just spacers on the front. Right now it seems like the only path is fresh leaf springs and then level the front with spacers. Am I missing something?

Thanks

 

I have answered suspension stuff like 5 times in the last week in the first gen section. U can scroll and find them.


Essentially u can add v6 coils and a spacer to lift the front back up if that's what u want is a level. U need to post pics of ur springs for me to tell u if u can just use a shackle to lift it up or if it needs fresh springs


Moog 81070 is part number for v6 coils. It'll give an inch of lift if u have the 2.4l, stack the spacer with it for another .75 inch. Can use lift spindles later if u want another 3 inch lift, but it'll widen ur track width 2 inches each side

 

If you're not looking for lift, but just a refresh to OE specs, new springs and shocks will be a good start.

 

Yes.
81068 is stock 4cyl coils. Get some kyb shocks they work great and are half price of billies

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...b2ABMhlR1QnY9QLTa14KOdBG9I6ozfOxoCSFMQAvD_BwE

 

Reference here if u want to lift and put bigger tires. This guy did it all. U can fit 31s stock with clearancing, but be wary of the stock lbj bracket which is weak.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oh-boy-let-me-tell-ya-bout-my-1995-toyota-tacoma.599854/

 

Alright thanks. My goal is to use it as a work truck rather than lift it. I added some pictures

 

I just did my front end recently and I'm very happy with the result. My factory coil springs up front were sagging so much that when I installed the 2" lowering springs , I only dropped about an inch. I went the lowered route but you can just replace with stock springs and the front end would probably raise up from where it's currently at.

In additional to replacing the 21 year old springs, replacing all the front suspension bits too will help restore that nice ride and handling. Yes, you can buy bushings and press them out of your control arms and then press in the new ones or you can avoid all of that crap and buy new control arms which come with bushings already installed.

Below are all of the MOOG parts needed (not including springs) to replace the front suspension.

Upper Control arm RK620354 (includes ball joints)
Upper Control arm RK623055 (includes ball joints)
Lower Ball Joint

$36 K90260 Front Left Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

K90260
Lower Ball Joint

$34 K90261 Front Right Lower Suspension Ball Joint for Toyota Tacoma

K90261
Outer tie Rod End ES80309 (need 2)
Inner Tie Rod EV409 (need 2)
Lower control arm RK642948 (does NOT include ball joints)
Lower control arm RK642949 (does NOT include ball joints)

 

Have u seen any links on Amazon for moog upper and lower balljoints together? I'm thinking about doing them all when I put my new coil springs since it'll be apart anyways. Difficulty wise for the bj's too? Thanks in advance brotha!

 

Those spring don't look flat yet. If u gonna use as a work truck and will have the bed full and heavy alot I'd recommend an aal. It will be stiff as shit tho if u don't have the bed weighed down as an FYI. That or use a shackle lift to get 2 more inches in the rear. That way when ur beds loaded u will sit nearly stock.

 

Is that the factory leaf pack? I thought 5 lug only had 2 leaves and the overload at the bottom. Yours have 3?!

 

Front coils don't look tired either. Do u want more lift in the front? If not then leave those for now and just get kyb shocks from Amazon 30 bucks a piece. They are great

 

Oh shit, yeah I think he already has an aal or new springs ur right I only have 2 and the overload. Well my dude ur trucks already set, buy some wheels and tires and shocks and run it to the ground like every other toyota lol

 

Alright great. In that case I'll just bust rust and have fun. Thanks guys

 

Anytime. Don't worry how "low" ur taco is. U have a 5 lug, not 6. We ride naturally at this height, making for good work trucks like in ur case

 

No, I haven't seen that. I just bought them all separately. Amazon was by far the cheapest. They weren't that bad to do. Top is cake. I'm not sure about the bottom though. I had everything all apart when I did mine but it should be pretty easy too. It's easiest to remove the rotor/hub first so it's out of the way.

 

If anything, the shocks probably need replaced and check the ball joints, inner tie rods and outer tie rod ends. When I did mine, the outer tie rod ends were still super tight. The inners were toast. The ball joints were just OK. They could have gone longer but certainly didn't hurt anything to replace them.

Judging by the height, it does look like your springs might not need replacing yet.