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5 lug 95.5-04 Lowering info for newbs

Discussion in 'Street Trucks' started by Beefed Taco, Aug 5, 2011.

  1. Apr 23, 2020 at 7:14 PM
    #161
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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    A fine choice here, Batman approved even!!

    Yep, breaking a ball joint loose allows you to spread the control arms away from each other and let's you slip the spring out. Keep a jack under the lower arm or use a spring compressor to keep the spring from popping out as you do this. Or get some help if you are uncertain as this can get a bit deadly if done wrong!

    Definitely post some pics and let us know how it effects the ride and handling once you get it all installed! :thumbsup:
     
    TOY 96[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. May 16, 2020 at 4:52 PM
    #162
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    Nate
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    96 V6 5-Lug Enkei 92
    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
    Finally found the time for the install:

    [​IMG]

    3" Blocks in the Rear:

    [​IMG]

    New Springs and did the upper/lower ball joints and tie rods too:

    [​IMG]

    Have a problem with the diameter of the new front shocks being too large, even with the dust protector removed, to pass through the hole in the lower control arms?
    Need to call Belltech about this.
    So stayed with the stock front shocks for now:

    [​IMG]

    Just got it back from alignment yesterday.
    Also put on my new Enkei 92 Black 15x7 with BFG Radial T/A's 215/60R15

    [​IMG]

    I need to wash that blue protective stuff off the tires but I'm pretty happy with the results! :bananadance:

    TOY 96
     
  3. May 16, 2020 at 10:17 PM
    #163
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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    Truck is looking great @TOY 96 !!

    Those Bilstein's arent stock, and sure look new.. you sure you want to change those shiny pricey shocks out?!

    I'd return whatever shocks you got that dont fit unless those Bilsteins are way worse than they look.
     
    TOY 96 likes this.
  4. May 16, 2020 at 10:45 PM
    #164
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
    Thanks, I like the look as is.

    Do you think running the stock height shocks with 2" lowered springs will damage anything?
     
  5. May 16, 2020 at 11:34 PM
    #165
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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    From all I have read you should be just fine with stock height shocks and a 2" drop! :thumbsup:

    Have you taken it for a test ride and gone over some larger bumps yet at speed to be sure you're not bottoming out anywhere?
     
  6. May 17, 2020 at 2:47 PM
    #166
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
    Cool! Good to know.

    I'm gonna call Belltech and see about returning the front shocks. :thumbsup:

    I drove it about 20 miles on the freeway and no problems, I haven't hit any big bumps..... yet :fingerscrossed:
     
  7. May 17, 2020 at 10:02 PM
    #167
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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    Good to hear, I think you'll love them Bilsteins with your drop!

    I would return all the shocks if you got Bilsteins in the rear too looking that new too, those are about a $300 set of shocks and I think they probably handle nicer than any shock out there. Or send those to @Hooks98tacoma , he needs some shocks last I heard!
     
  8. May 18, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #168
    Hooks98tacoma

    Hooks98tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I ain’t gonna turn down free car parts
     
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  9. May 18, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    #169
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
    Blue crap is gone!

    [​IMG]

    I'll contact Hooks98tacoma to send out these Bilsteins for the Rear. :thumbsup: Somebody should use um!

    TOY 96
     
  10. May 18, 2020 at 6:07 PM
    #170
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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    @TOY 96 Truck looks very nice! Got some "vintage" touches with those 15" Ekei's wrapped with the BFG TAs. Got any further plans for your rig?

    Glad to hear @Hooks98tacoma is going to get some nice shocks out of the deal too! :santa:
     
  11. May 18, 2020 at 6:23 PM
    #171
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
    Thanks!!! Got some looks today at work. :woot:

    When I did the ball joints I noticed the steering stabilizer bushings are pretty worn out and I am missing some bump stops.

    So..... coming up next:

    Energy Suspension front sway bar bushing set - 8.5123R

    [​IMG]

    And

    Prothane Red Front Bump Stop set - 18-1301

    [​IMG]

    :thumbsup:

    TOY 96
     
  12. May 18, 2020 at 6:24 PM
    #172
    Hooks98tacoma

    Hooks98tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I bought the sway bar bushings on rockauto for $37. Same energy suspension
     
  13. May 18, 2020 at 6:45 PM
    #173
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    I ordered mine on Amazon Prime, bump stops too.

    Free shipping doesn't hurt :bananadance:
     
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  14. May 18, 2020 at 6:47 PM
    #174
    Hooks98tacoma

    Hooks98tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Heck yeah man. I’ve got a $50 Amazon gift card to use
     
  15. May 18, 2020 at 6:53 PM
    #175
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
  16. May 18, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #176
    Hooks98tacoma

    Hooks98tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I got the black. Wouldn’t look good under green. So I’m down 10 horsepower. Oh well...doesn’t really matter when it has a idle only skip.
     
    TOY 96[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. May 19, 2020 at 3:27 PM
    #177
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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    From what I understand, the black is graphite impregnated and doesnt squeak as much as red or standard urethane.
     
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  18. May 19, 2020 at 3:32 PM
    #178
    mtb_taco

    mtb_taco Well-Known Member

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    Sorry for the late response. They are bushwacker flairs and oem s-runner wheels. Preparing for some upgrades to suspension and engine. Will post photos once done.
     
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  19. May 19, 2020 at 10:48 PM
    #179
    TOY 96

    TOY 96 Well-Known Member

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    15x7 BGF Rad T/A 215/60R15 2" Drop Front 3" Drop Rear
    The Energy Suspension site doesn't list and differences in the specs between the Red and black, other than the 10 horsepower, but I'll let you know if I hear any squeaks. :thumbsup:
     
    Hooks98tacoma likes this.
  20. May 19, 2020 at 11:41 PM
    #180
    2Runner

    2Runner Well-Known Member

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