Lifting a 2002 2WD 5-Lug Tacoma???

Ok so I was planning on lifting my 2002 RWD 2.4L XtraCab that is the 5-lug version. I took a look at the front suspension, and the only way it looks to lift it would be a spacer type ring like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-0...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Is there any other way to possibly lift it a little higher? after all that is only 1.5" and doesnt seem like it would be much...


Also the back axle sits ON TOP of the leaf springs with a flat bottom plate welded on the round axle. putting a spacer would only make the axle higer aka lowering the tires. Can I Rotate the entire rear axle 180 degrees so the flat plates will be upward facing so I could mount them below the leaf springs? (see pics)

 

get whats called a flip kit they make a kit to put the axle on the other side of the springs. then you can block it as needed its gonna lift it like 2 inches just flipping it to the other side of the springs

 

yeah i would do a spring over in the rear, which is what mackattack07 said. It's actually pretty easy if you have welding experience. All you do is unhook the leaf springs from the axle, and move the spring perch from under the axle to on top of it, and reweld it on, jus make sure you have your pinion at the right angle when you do it and that the perches are welded in the same spot. You will probably need a longer brake line in the rear also along with shocks. But all in all it's pretty easy we did it on a friends of mine and we had it done in like 2 hours. Also if you want a little more lift (which i think if your springs are in good shape you should get like 3" maybe 4" of lift) you could get a new spring pack, or if you spring are a little bad just throw an aal in. I would stay away from blocks in the rear, they just prematurely dearch you spring and kill you load too.

 

Is there a way I can do it without welding? because i was wondering if you could literally just rotate the entire thing 180 degrees like drawn in the pic so the flat parts face up instead of down. I dont really have access to a good welder and would have to pay to get the current pinion? (flat part welded on the round axle) cut off and rewelded.

As for the front, there is no real mount for an AAL lift on the 5 lug? the spring is just sort of sandwiched between the control arms and the frame. It is not a bolt on shock and spring assembly on the top or bottom where you would be able to throw in those extenders. It looks like the only extension would be an extra little spacer ring between the frame and spring?

 

go to the junk yard and buy a prerunner rear setup

 

After a lot of reasearch, it seems rear lift is no prob. (though would still like to know if I could just rotate that axle 180 degrees)

But the front is Impossible!! I took the wheel off, and the swingarm only goes down so far. Even with the 1" rubber stops off, it stayed put and did not go down any further! Seems only thing is a flimsy little 1.5" spacer or $400+ lift spindles...

Any ideas as to modify the swingarm so it goes down further? would that be the shock or the swingarm bushing thats stopping it? (there was no other frame contact stopping it, only sway bar)

 

No you cannot just flip the axle over, because then the rotation of the wheels would be backwards. You would have to put it in reverse to go forward.

Did you unhook the suspension from the a-arm before you tried pulling it down? The shock is only gonna let the suspension droop so far before it stops. Spindles is the easiest way to lift the 2wd. Lift coilovers is the next easiest but I'm not sure if the 5 lugger has coilovers and I would not put a spacer lift on it.

 

yeah you def. can't just rotate you rear axle, well unless you want to put reverse cut gears in it, which is way more work then just moving the perches to the top of the axle. And what Southern01Taco said, did you unhook the shock when you tried to see how much down travel you could get, and spindles are the easiest and best way to lift a 2wd by far.

 

dont do lift coils on a 5 lug unless you get a custom lower ball joint bracket(the weakest part of the suspension in these trucks. spindles are your #1 choice by far.

 

X2

5 Lug do a spindle in the front. Anything else without a new lower arm is asking for trouble. Ive broke plenty of those things before I ditched the stock crap.

For the rear look at the Deaver AAL pack, Lift Shackles, or whatever. I actually have a bunch of rear lift stuff for sale right now if your interested. It was a great set up, loved it on the truck but it wasnt permanent in the plans for my build

 

I used spindles in the front and shackles in the back. Shackles are super easy and cheap for lift in the rear. there's a link to the build in my sig.

 

Yes if you lift it only do a spindle lift up front and a shackle in the rear. The spindles run anywhere from $300-$400 and the shackle should be under $100 Beefedtaco here has the shackles so shoot him a pm.

 

x3 spindle in the front, shackle in the rear super cheap $400 max and easy to install.

 

I paid $104 for my shackles from beefed and $389 for my spindles (Fabtech). I also did the install myself and I am really no master mechanic.

 

I have the doetsch spindles on mine, thats the only way out unless you feel like sas'ing it or giving it a long travel kit.

 

I have a 2wd access cab and I was wondering if I could go to a junk yard and buy a spring over rear differential and place it in my truck with no problem. would that be possible.

 

Theoretically, you could buy the entire rear axle and suspension setup from a PreRunner or 4x4 Tacoma of the same type as yours and swap it over. I don't know what years would fit your vehicle, as this is the 1st gen forum ('95 - '04), and your truck is a 2nd gen (or possibly 3rd, who knows). There are aftermarket SUA (spring under axle) setups that provide lift for the rear end, if that's what you're looking for. Try posting in the 2nd gen forum to see if anyone else has tried this approach:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/2nd-gen-tacomas.5/

Alternatively, check out the long-travel suspension forum, those seem to be the guys who run SUA most commonly:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/long-travel-suspension.113/

 

I know this is an old thread but has been very helpful. I'm putting 3" lift fabtach spindles on the front and shackles on the back. Just curious if any of you changed your rear shocks while doing this? The stocks ones are pretty much maxed out and they are worn out anyway.

 

You'll find good info in the 5 lug forum.

 

I like 5 lugs. My freference is stock or lowered but I think if i were trying to raise one I'd body lift, put a taller tire under it and leave it at that.

No one is going to want it afterwards if not returned to stock. I'd love to find a low mile reg cab not monkied with.