Need help with suspension on my dad's old taco

Hey all, this is my first post! I recently got my dads old Tacoma, it’s a 96 base model with extended cab and the 2.4l engine.

We recently had the head replaced as it had a head gasket leak about 4 years ago, but I finally had some money and decided to put money into it. My pops used to pick me up from school in this thing!

Anyways, I’m driving in and I realize I can feel every single rock on the road and curves in the highway feel a bit like I’m going to roll over. I don’t remember it driving this way… I was wondering if the suspension is the problem? My dad said he replaced the leaf springs and the shocks before it died but that was 5 years ago, it’s been sitting in the Florida sun for 5…

I wanted to know if there was a kit somewhere for the base first gens but I can only find kits for lifts and he 4wd versions.

I intend on keeping this truck and driving it across the country with a with a camper and supplies. Could the base taco handle dirt roads and some foliage or do I need to lift it and get some AT tires? Currently on some 215 70R14 hankooks. I also read that I would need strong rear leaves if I intend on having constant heavy weight in the back, is that true?

I’m new to suspension work in general, I’ve really only changed parts on the engine so I have no idea what to look for or what to look out for.

I’ve been lurking the subs for a while but I haven’t really found any answers to what I’m looking for, thank you all so much in advance.

 

Welcome to TW.

Post some pics & good luck with your classic.

 

Id start with new KYB shocks and see what happens

 

Thank you, will post pics in the daytime!

 

Why KYB shocks specifically? Also, would it help with my bumpy ride over other brands?

I get some wobble at higher speeds on the highways, I also think I need to upgrade my brakes, my mechanic told me they’re fine but when I tap my brakes I get a lot of air and really have to slam on them to get a full stop. Has anyone replaced the rear drums with calipers and brake pads?

im thinking of making my first mod after changing my fuel pump the rear brakes and calipers.

 

Always had good luck with them and they are cheap (I’m cheap, too).

$156 Front and Rear Newparts Shock Absorbers Kit for Toyota Pickup T100 4WD 86-98

https://www.amazon.com/Front-Excel-G-Absorbers-Toyota-Pickup/dp/B084Z5SDGF

 

Any new shock is likely to be better than what ya have currently. 4600's would be the most common recommendation (I would choose them over the KYB).

Brakes are a different issue- How they feel depends on a few things... Without knowing what else you drive, comparing 27-year-old truck brakes to a more modern vehicle, might not be the most ideal. Have you done a complete brake system flush? Fluid goes bad (gets water in it) and needs to be replaced. I always suggest using a Motiv Power Bleeder, as I have had excellent results with it over the 'ol fashioned way.

Some folks have changed the rear drums out to disc brakes, but it's not really worth the hassle. The back of the trucks are so light that the drums are fine. There are some conversion kits that take parts from an fj cruiser I think. Either way, the upgrade that is worth it is the Tundra brake upgrade. Essentially putting tundra front calipers, pads, and rotors onto a tacoma. plenty of threads/writeups/videos out there if you search.

 

Here she is! Beat up but she runs! Bit of a rough start in the morning, have to give her gas, but my fuel gauge isn’t reading so I’m hoping it’s just a bad plunger in fuel pump assembly…

I’m interested in upgrading the brakes because like I said, I plan to put work into the truck and using it for road trips with a camper and supplies. A good brake upgrade seems like the next step (with the seats coming soon after, the bench is awful!) because I think I’ll be toting an extra 600 pounds in the bed with the camper and tools. Paint job being my last upgrade.

Thanks so much for the tip Andy! I’ll look into some 4600s and I’ll see about bleeding the brakes, they’re so damn squishy. Would the tundra upgrade mean new drums in the back? Also, would I have to go to 6 lug and bigger rims?

 

ah- a 5 lug truck. There is a 5 lug sub forum where you might find more information about brake upgrades specific to that platform.

In general, the suspension and drive train from a 5 lug is not compatible with 6 lug (pre runner / 4x4) trucks. All my advice before is basically invalid.

For sure do your best to fix what you have with the brake system before you consider upgrades. Might just have bad pads and fluid.

It would also be advisable to add 5 lug to one of your truck descriptions so that other members can provide accurate info about your truck.

 

Gotcha, I’ll find the 5 lug forum. Thanks for the help.

 

4600s are the best choice for a 5 lug that will see gravel roads.

Next choice is kyb gasajust, both are better than oem and will handle the rough roads.

Start with simple things and decide from there, a 4x4 conversion is basically not achievable within reason on a 5 lug.

 

Thanks so much! I’m not looking to convert to 4x4 just trying to set my truck up for long distance travel and some light off roading like if I want to camp on some gravelly trails or even hit up the west coast and see the desert.

Definitely just want to make her road worthy and comfortable. Suspension is big for me just because I know im going to take some heavy-ish loads cross country.

Another big thing for me is just making sure my brakes are solid. I’ll drain the line as Adam suggested and report back. I also need to change the cluster as it stopped marking speed and miles lol.

Is the five lug forum the street truck forum? I can’t find a specific 5 lug forum.

 

Don't drain the brake lines- You'll fubar the MC. You need to bleed the old fluid out while keeping enough fluid in the MC to not suck air in. The Motiv Power Bleeder is a great way to move a ton of fluid without emptying the MC. I'll admit that getting it to seal can be tricky, but when it does, you'll be assured that you've got all the air outta the lines by the time you're done.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/5-lug.114/

 

Sorry for going dark, been working a lot and… Well…. This happened yesterday.



Lower ball joint snapped…. I trusted my mechanic and the guys that did my “alignment “ to let me know if I had anything to worry about and now that the truck is on the floor, I see what looks like some rubber bushings that are dried out.

uhhhh, I’m no expert, I’ve only done engine part replacement and brakes, but can you guys help me understand what it is I’m looking at here? Should I just replace my whole front end steering and suspension at this point or are there certain things that look grave at the moment?

 

Oh man. What you've experienced is a lower ball joint failure. They aren't as common on 5 lug trucks. Luckily it looks like you weren't going fast. But at this point, you for sure looking at new upper and lower ball joints, new tie rods, and maybe the rack. Although from the pic, the steering doesn't look too furbared.

 

Considering what just happened, make sure you do both sides when replacing the upper and lower ball joints and the tie rods.
FWIW, I have installed KYB Excel G shocks in my '97 Boxster, instead of going with the more expensive Bilsteins (more than twice the price) and I'm very happy with the selective firmness of the KYB's. They advertise that they are calibrated for firmer handling to make up for suspension wear and tear, so this might suit your truck very well. Bilsteins are great quality shocks, but the Excel G's are definitely equal to or better than OEM, IMO.

 

Good to know, my dad helped me change the broken ball joint and and said he’d gladly help me change the other ones but I’m in the middle of moving and my time right now is pretty chaotic.

what is the rack? Is it on this exploded view?