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Comprehensive 5-lug 2nd gen lowering info.

Discussion in 'Street Trucks' started by tcBob, Nov 4, 2012.

  1. Nov 4, 2012 at 8:12 AM
    #1
    tcBob

    tcBob [OP] Gringo Bandito Moderator

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    5 lug base and X-Runner (XR), front suspension.

    -3" (base and XR) DJM upper/lower control arms.

    Fits all base and XR models.
    The lowest price I've found is $410 shipped from Tony (DJM Direct) on X-Runner Underground (XRU).
    They work by moving the all of the mounting points up 3" via replacing upper and lower control arms (UCA and LCA).
    You will need new ball joints or transfer your stock ball joints to this kit.

    177ad2be_15f029ee2a10b3986026ddaf76e159112eca9458.jpg

    I like the MOOG Problem Solver ball joints because they are greaseable.


    66a5657b_fecd709de649f3d902391ce43330abcb0da2ddb3.jpg

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    Adjustable control arms.

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    -2.2" (base) or -1.7" (XR) XII coils

    These coils drop the base model 2.2". 1.7" from the coil and factor in .5" from the stock height XR coil.
    Remember these were designed to drop the XR, so you must account for the height different from stock XR coils to stock base model coils.
    They work by shortening the coil and increasing spring rate via replacing the stock coils.

    Pictured: old skool Sittin Sic 1" drop coils (850 ppi).

    055b1581_030de0c9254b310248fbf7a46f24ac3f04159947.jpg

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    -0.5" (base) or 0" (XR) XR Bilstein struts.

    Stock for the XR, they drop the base model 0.5" and stiffen the front.

    IMG_20120101_140851_e7f87b9d2027c1a976e600052b6560037ec9a63d.jpg

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    -1" (base and XR) Spindle drop spacer.

    Fits all base and XR models.
    The spacers can be made available from .5" to 1.5".
    Most commonly used are 1" drop spacers.
    Good luck finding them, I had mine made by Phil Dammit.
    They work by moving the spindle and UCA farther from the LCA by spacing the LCA and bottom of the spindle via the addition of aluminum spacers and longer bolts.

    DD4D70CB-44E0-4A2C-83AE-E3B70A89ACFF-732_7200942689ad5b79a076b53df81d6a4a5a216c86.jpg

    Install between part 5 and part 18.

    F802050_928286819d511b74ebc9c5aca1b9d562c4a66397.gif

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    -2" (base) or 1.5" (XR) SOS drop kit from TundraRacing.com

    Will fit all base and XR models.
    Designed to drop the XR 1.5" then account for natural difference in spring height to get 2" for base models.
    Basically what you're getting is a lower spring spacer.

    xrunnerdropkit_2682f216c1640aa4eccd0fd9cdbeceee28b7cb3f.jpg

    CIMG0941_68e32d77d35eff66db0499474a32882c3e48e6d0.jpg

    Install between part 6 and part 9.

    F802050_928286819d511b74ebc9c5aca1b9d562c4a66397.gif

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    Sway Bars

    These XII Performance sway bars are thicker than stock and reduce body roll.
    Note: base models do not have a rear sway bar.

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    If you are using lowering springs and spindle spacers the top nut on the strut stem will not thread down and secure the strut to the tower.
    You will need to stack washers or fabricate spacers.

    Before:

    274D10A7-8937-4D53-91FB-DBAB8A23B162-522_beff5db5a02cbb5ab84349c4d2408ea08bfe938b.jpg

    After:

    44BA699E-FE63-4BC0-8593-789EE5E69DF9-333_2e55c62a0c8518933079d6336fbdc03323c24479.jpg
    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

    In the air: DJM arms, 1" drop coils, 1" spindle spacers, XR Bilstein struts; equalling 6" drop and camber maxed out at 3* of negative camber.

    6FC97039-78CB-4CA5-98CE-7A8FBD6DA683-732_4250be92dddb3a5cb054a64b524deb7eb4345089.jpg

    On the ground:

    100_3110_ef195ffb2d93b9d10251583c25637868d609ca3e.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 5, 2014
  2. Nov 4, 2012 at 8:22 AM
    #2
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

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    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)
    lol wtf dude^
     
    otherphone likes this.
  3. Nov 4, 2012 at 8:33 AM
    #3
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

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    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)
    I have been on tw today for almost 14 hours on and off TODAY. Welcome to you
     
  4. Nov 4, 2012 at 1:23 PM
    #4
    dually

    dually Low and slow

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    Mods, please make sticky....
     
  5. Nov 4, 2012 at 1:27 PM
    #5
    dually

    dually Low and slow

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    No not really.. Possibly link 'how to's' or make your own!

    oh, just checked my itinerary i'll be there till the 10th, we'll have to grab a beer.
     
    pinktaco808 likes this.
  6. Nov 4, 2012 at 1:51 PM
    #6
    dually

    dually Low and slow

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  7. Nov 4, 2012 at 1:53 PM
    #7
    dually

    dually Low and slow

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    Looks as though they sit on the bottom perch.
     
  8. Nov 13, 2012 at 3:17 PM
    #8
    Kavik

    Kavik Kavik

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    Lowered: 3 inch drop blocks (Beefed Taco),Satoshi Grill, Morimoto bi-xenon H1 Retrofitted headlights, Flowmaster exhaust, Blue LED interior and exterior, blue LED dome light, Anzo black LED taillights, Hifonics Brutus 1100w Mono Block, Bazooka 300w Amp, LED license plate lights. Lifited: Fat Bob's rear shocks, Fat Bob's 3" spacer and rear AAL, Nitto Terragrapplers, weldertaco wrap around rear tube bumper, TrailWorx Fab tube front bumper
    This is awesome! I like seeing the options all in one place. Great work!
     
  9. Nov 13, 2012 at 4:53 PM
    #9
    weazleburger

    weazleburger Well-Known Member

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    excellent work ryan!
     
  10. Nov 14, 2012 at 12:40 PM
    #10
    07TacoRidah

    07TacoRidah SHHHH, this is interesting

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    has anyone figured out the BPV issue yet? It's starting to bug me a little (feel stupid when I brake too, looks like I'm being all dramamtic with my stops :( ).
     
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  11. Nov 17, 2012 at 9:44 PM
    #11
    Mr.Schertz

    Mr.Schertz Well-Known Member

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    so if I want a minimal drop but a little added performance on handling go with bilstien shocks and struts for a .5 in drop?
     
  12. Nov 19, 2012 at 6:11 PM
    #12
    Kavik

    Kavik Kavik

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    Alright I found the QA1 on paradise racing but I am unsure of which ones to get. Is there a specific part number I can search?
     
  13. Nov 20, 2012 at 9:14 AM
    #13
    Kavik

    Kavik Kavik

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    Hmm, I searched the site with that part number and it didn't pull up anything, I will try again or maybe I will just call up after I get off work.
     
  14. Nov 21, 2012 at 8:33 PM
    #14
    Mr.Schertz

    Mr.Schertz Well-Known Member

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    wheres the best place to get the bilstiens? Are they easy to install?
     
  15. Nov 25, 2012 at 6:17 PM
    #15
    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    4.5/5.5 drop, DJM arms, QA1 coilovers, 6lug leafs, QA1 18-way, rear swaybar, Batwing Big brakes, high flow cat, indy/hurst shifter, memphis amps, focal 3-ways, Eclipse AV unit, SunDown 10" custom box, TRD bucket swap.
    Nice reference hell of a coverage of the dropping method. If anyone needs drop spacers let me know.
     
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  16. Dec 29, 2012 at 12:49 PM
    #16
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco Well-Known Member

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    Beefed Taco 3" Lowering Blocks DJM 3" Front Lowering Kit Custom C-Notch Intermittent Wipers LED tail lights
    Some info that might be helpful to add to the already super-helpful 1st post in this thread... ;)

    The part number for the MOOG ball joints for a 2005-2011 base model Tacoma is as follows. I'm assuming nothing has changed for 2012-2013?:
    DJM now sells their lowering kits with the ball joints already pressed in. I don't know what brand they use, but the photos show that they are grease-able. Considering DJM only charges <$100 more for kits that include the ball joints, that's a money and time saver if you're not going to use your OEM ball joints:
    I'd so like to go the route of getting the front control arm kit with the joints already pressed-in, but I'm thinking that having the control arms sand blasted and powder coated might be a good idea since the DJM finish has a tendency to flake-off pretty quickly (in my experience).
     
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  17. Dec 29, 2012 at 1:15 PM
    #17
    Phil Dammit

    Phil Dammit Well-Known Member

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    Big thread on xru about powder flaking and 1st gen fatigue/failure on the calmax arms. Just got my set, plan on beefing them up and repowder coating them.
     
  18. Jan 17, 2013 at 11:19 AM
    #18
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco Well-Known Member

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    Beefed Taco 3" Lowering Blocks DJM 3" Front Lowering Kit Custom C-Notch Intermittent Wipers LED tail lights
    I'm a little confused here... why would a truck see a 0.5" drop due to shocks? Why would a shock help correct the "Tacoma lean"? The weight of the truck is resting on the leaf springs, not the shocks. Am I missing something? :confused:

    I would think that in order to correct the lean, one would have to use different sized lowering blocks.

    I'm guessing the one shock is longer than the other to help the shock better control the heavier side of the vehicle (gas tank and driver), but I don't think it has much to do with ride height.
     
  19. Jan 31, 2013 at 3:26 PM
    #19
    Bizarroterl

    Bizarroterl Well-Known Member

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    You forgot the Hellwig rear sway bars. :(
     
  20. Jan 31, 2013 at 3:29 PM
    #20
    Hot Taco

    Hot Taco Well-Known Member

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    Swaybars don't have much to do with lowering a truck ;) "Suspension performance modifications" would probably be another topic.
     

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