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Official 1995.5-2004 5lug tacoma lifted/lowerd suspension guide and general info

Discussion in '5 Lug' started by Sperrunner, Apr 21, 2018.

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  1. Aug 18, 2021 at 3:17 PM
    #161
    z_thompsonpa

    z_thompsonpa Well-Known Member

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    2000 Toyota Tacoma Ext Cab SR5 Stepside (5-lug)
    Doetsch Tech 3.5" Spindle Lift Fabtech FTS-7078 Front Shocks Bilstein 5125 Rear Shocks Daystar Front Coil Spacers Fabtech and ProComp Rear AALs 15x8 Black D-Window Steelies 4.0 BS Energy Suspension Front Poly Sway Bar Bushing & Endlink Kit Powerstop Brake Rotors Amber Corner Blinkers & Clear Fog Lights 2001+ Power Mirrors Keyless Entry & Alarm Pinch-weld mod Big 3 Electrical Upgrade w/ 1000A Battery Custom Led High Mount Brake Light 2001+ Rhino-Lined Fender Flares Gentex auto-dimming mirror w/ Compass and Temp 3rd gen 4Runner Map Light Console
    I am running spindles and 15x8 4in BS. There's a little more clearance inward towards the top of the spindle (bj where the uca attaches). I noticed with 31x10.5r15's that the tire would hit first. Going wider ie: 12.5 is going to require less backspacing or possibly a 17in may clear upper ball joint to allow more backspacing... not certain however.

    I rubbed with 29's 235-75r15s and only daystar spacers. It also depends if you have 2wd fender or pre-runner fenders. I had one of each... :)
     
  2. Aug 18, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #162
    z_thompsonpa

    z_thompsonpa Well-Known Member

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    Doetsch Tech 3.5" Spindle Lift Fabtech FTS-7078 Front Shocks Bilstein 5125 Rear Shocks Daystar Front Coil Spacers Fabtech and ProComp Rear AALs 15x8 Black D-Window Steelies 4.0 BS Energy Suspension Front Poly Sway Bar Bushing & Endlink Kit Powerstop Brake Rotors Amber Corner Blinkers & Clear Fog Lights 2001+ Power Mirrors Keyless Entry & Alarm Pinch-weld mod Big 3 Electrical Upgrade w/ 1000A Battery Custom Led High Mount Brake Light 2001+ Rhino-Lined Fender Flares Gentex auto-dimming mirror w/ Compass and Temp 3rd gen 4Runner Map Light Console






    Daystar spacer lift and new shocks - Before and After with 235-75r15 15x8 4in BS. The driver side (shown) is the prerunner fender. The passenger side is not shown bc it was smashed in both photos... lol
     
    dasitmane420 and Dirty Dude like this.
  3. Sep 7, 2021 at 9:39 AM
    #163
    mikel107

    mikel107 New Member

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    Hey all, I read thru the whole forum and I and I just wanted to make sure i'm getting this right. my taco has had a squeaking problem ever since i bought it and im finally getting around to fix it but i also wanted to lower it so im trying to research all the right parts.
    starting with the ball joints: moog-packagedeal083 | Front End Steering Rebuild Kit | 95-04 Toyota Tacoma (moog-suspension-parts.com) i'm confident with these since their the only one's for 2wd.
    up next the lowering kit sold by lce DJM Complete Lowering Kit 3" Front & 4" Rear For 1995.5-2004 Tacoma (lceperformance.com) i crossed checked with the DJM website and its actually cheaper to buy it off the LCE site my question is are the shocks offered along the with the kit the best option? im not trying to break the bank but all i see is talks of the Bilstein shocks. aslo what's the main difference between the steel and aluminum blocks?
    and lastly the helper springs as of now i have only looked at the LCE kit: EZ Lvl Hlpr Spring Kit 1500lb. (79-04)P/U,Taco,4x4 (lceperformance.com) if there is something better and cheaper than these im all ears! if i have missed something please do tell me. THANK YOU all for your time!
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2021
  4. Sep 28, 2021 at 7:56 PM
    #164
    Dirty Dude

    Dirty Dude Well-Known Member

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    Dirt, miles, and wear.
    Do you recall which part of the tire hit what?

    I just got some 235/75R15s, V6 coils, and just ordered Daystar spacers and plan to run 15x7s rather than 15x8. I might have to run the tires & wheels for a little while before getting all the lift parts installed.
     
  5. Oct 8, 2021 at 6:41 AM
    #165
    Dirty Dude

    Dirty Dude Well-Known Member

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    Dirt, miles, and wear.
    Another question I hope isn't already buried in this thread: will one of those same tires on a stock 15x6 rim fit in the spare tire well? Guess I should have asked before buying five of them.
     
  6. Oct 14, 2021 at 8:25 PM
    #166
    DualSport_orDie

    DualSport_orDie Member

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    Hi everyone,

    I'm adding a lift to my 2000 Tacoma 5lug xtracab and when I got the extra 2inch spacer, I found that the stock U bolts aren't long enough to accommodate the additional spacer. As you guys probably know the U bolts go over the diff/axle housing as opposed to over the leaf springs because on this model the leaf springs rest below the diff.

    My question is where do I buy extra long U bolts that can accommodate the additional lift/spacer?
    Not the U bolts that go over the Leaf springs but extra-long U bolts that would go over the diff.

    In the picture, I'm going to add an extra spacer block on top of the original, which is why I need longer U bolts

    12F5AFC6-BA8D-4570-ADE2-A487664CEF63.jpg
     
  7. Oct 14, 2021 at 8:40 PM
    #167
    GHOST SHIP

    GHOST SHIP hates you.

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    If you want to lift the truck you can just remove that spacer. It’s a lowering block so removing it would actually lift your truck. If you try to add another block on top of it, you’ll just be lowering your truck more and make your suspension ride like shit.
     
    blu92in99 and eon_blue like this.
  8. Oct 15, 2021 at 7:50 AM
    #168
    BikerinBlak909

    BikerinBlak909 Well-Known Member

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    96 LT 5 lug
    JD Fab LT kit 3" lift spindles Fox 2.5 x 10" dual rate Deaver F67 SUA, 9" shackles 8.4 prerunner rear end with 4.10 33 AT3 wildpeaks McNeil Fiberglass fenders PRP comp seats Doug Thorley long tube header K&N CAI
    Lift blocks lift trucks with leaf springs mounted over the axle. 5 lugs have leaf springs under the axle and putting lift blocks on will actually lower the truck.

    As far as U bolts you get them from ruffstuff kartek Deaver. I've seen some at pepboys and napa
     
  9. Nov 8, 2021 at 10:51 PM
    #169
    MarMarSux

    MarMarSux Active Member

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    Dead mice out of blower mod
    @z_thompsonpa (or anyone else running the spacer lift), how did you reconnect the uca to the knuckle after you got the spacer in.

    was able to get it all back together, but it was all so compressed that the uca lost all range of motion.

    Also looks like you are running fab tech shocks. Maybe I’m just crazy, but I couldn’t get the new shocks in through the bottom of the LAC. The new Fabtech shock is just wider than the opening in the bottom of the lower control arm
     
  10. Nov 10, 2021 at 8:43 PM
    #170
    MagnumHelms

    MagnumHelms Member

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    I am in the process of replacing my entire suspension through my research I figured this would be good in this post:


    Basically shows different spring coils that may be able to be used and their specifications,

    keep in mind your spring length fully extended should not be longer than your fully extended shock. Otherwise if your vehicle is suspended or has full rebound your shock will take the brunt of the impact, opposed to the spring. ( Im wrong, travel limiters exist)

    Simple terms: Shocks need to be longer than springs (still wrong)

    Spacers add to your full spring length! Take that into consideration, you need a longer shock if:
    Spacer+ free length spring > shock extended length.( I am also wrong)
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2021
  11. Nov 12, 2021 at 8:25 AM
    #171
    Dirty Dude

    Dirty Dude Well-Known Member

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    Dirt, miles, and wear.
    Stock suspension has rebound travel limiters under the UCAs. Spring length doesn't change how far they can droop.
     
  12. Nov 12, 2021 at 3:10 PM
    #172
    MagnumHelms

    MagnumHelms Member

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    Now I know haha. Ill strike that out. Follow up question, why then was I told by Performance Lifts that adding a spacer to my stock spring would make everything too long for their shocks? Cause if the limiter is already set it just seems impossible for that to be true, suspension would be stiffer but not over extend the shock.
     
  13. Nov 12, 2021 at 6:20 PM
    #173
    Dirty Dude

    Dirty Dude Well-Known Member

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    Could be CYA on their part.
     
  14. Nov 17, 2021 at 6:08 PM
    #174
    MagnumHelms

    MagnumHelms Member

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    Good news, old man emu shocks 880 fit. The add about an inch to stock lift. Spring rate is much higher (500lb/in vs moog at 420lb/in)
    It can be done without a spring compressor, I highly advise against it. You will need an inch more of compression to get it in to a fully extended control arm (swaybar and tie rod disconnected) I used some pry bars, and a ratchet strap horizontally as a safety incase it shot out at me.
    Also found out that a spacer can be used, its just difficult to install. I did not use a spacer.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2021
  15. Nov 17, 2021 at 10:06 PM
    #175
    MarMarSux

    MarMarSux Active Member

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    Dead mice out of blower mod
    35A86977-D436-4726-A9D7-E6446CFE9B6C.jpg 36F56576-EE19-421A-AE0F-0934FAD228D6.jpg

    Just finished my Fabtech spindle lift. Looks pretty great now! Anyone in the Seattle area should check out Stew’s Garage in Kirkland, it’s a “be your own mechanic” shop with all of the tools and toys, so cool.

    The tires are 235/85/r16 wranglers. They are used and a bit worn, but fit pretty well with minimal rubbing only at full lock.

    Like an idiot I tried the fat bobs spacer and aal lift first(which was a fucking nightmare to install with basic tools) and immediately took the spacers back out and ordered the spindles. They just didn’t offer as much height as I wanted. I also did Fabtech shocks on all four corners.

    I’m about to get some new tires on it and get an alignment. Gonna get some open country at3s.

    One question, what size tire will fit on the spare mount?

    oh, and here’s a before picture:
    7882D9F7-F5A6-44A2-9620-C7F52C239C57.jpg
     
    z_thompsonpa and Das it mang like this.
  16. Nov 17, 2021 at 10:16 PM
    #176
    MagnumHelms

    MagnumHelms Member

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    At3s Same size as the wranglers?
    Did you keep the AAL in? 235/85r16 ! My 235/75r15 still graze my bumper.
     
  17. Nov 18, 2021 at 8:27 AM
    #177
    MarMarSux

    MarMarSux Active Member

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    I might go a smidge smaller with the at3s. I’m thinking/hoping if I go a tiny bit narrower I can keep the total height, about 30.5” and reduce rubbing without more modifications like cutting.

    As is the rubbing is minimal and I don’t want to reduce the height gained through the huge tires.

    I did keep the aal in, it did a great job creating the height I wanted in the back.

    Here it is next to a 3rd gen 4x4(stock I think?), the ride height/ground clearance is nearly identical!
    246FF467-228D-4735-B6BD-657A371D2500.jpg 2BC54E90-0EDE-4722-917E-D3A050DABCAF.jpg
     
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  18. Nov 18, 2021 at 8:52 AM
    #178
    MagnumHelms

    MagnumHelms Member

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    So here I am running 235/75r15 on my “stock” suspension which apparently was completely shot.
    I added

    Up front:
    Fabtech spindles 3”
    Fabtech shocks
    Old man emu 2880 springs (supposedly 1”)
    Rear:
    Fabtech shocks
    General springs 90-183HD leaf springs (3/1)
    Fabtech 2” lift shackles


    Now my front is sitting higher than rear. I ordered a AAL incase this happened, so I'm gonna throw that on there and see if i level out

    before:
    C1BC1DE2-B725-4D3D-B5F6-5A32119ACB9C.jpg

    After:
    844C1E63-E89F-41CB-A9D3-5D32A54B46C0.jpg
     
  19. Nov 18, 2021 at 8:55 AM
    #179
    Das it mang

    Das it mang Well-Known Member

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    damn i need to get the lift on my truck now, good job both of you! I managed 30x 9.50s on my stock suspension, but cut to fit. Plenty of options out there with a lil bit of creativity and effort!!
     
    MarMarSux likes this.
  20. Nov 18, 2021 at 1:26 PM
    #180
    MarMarSux

    MarMarSux Active Member

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    Are you running wheel spacers? You have a lot of “tire poke” for 9.5s?
     
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