01 Tacoma 5 lug lowering question.

Current truck is a 2001 Tacoma S-runner. Truck has 2"-3" lowering blocks in the rear. I am wanting to do away with them but want to keep a little of the lowered stance. I assume I can buy and add-a-leaf and shove in there to keep some drop and add some life to the factory springs. Does anyone have knowledge of this has being done? I looked around and haven't been able to find any answers. Thanks in advance!!

Listed below is a link where I found a pair of add-a-leaf.

https://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/toyota-tacoma-5-lug-rear-add-a-leaf-lift-kit-2wd-1995-2017-p7921.aspx

 

why not just put in smaller blocks?

add-a-leafs just make your ride stiffer.

what's your plan for the front?

 

Reason for wanting to add a leaf is to put some life into some factory 01 springs with "almost" 300k .

Also plan on adding a topper as soon as I come across one so will be adding a constant weight.

 

as a band-aid fix, sure that'd "work" to give you some lift, until you add all the weight, then you'd be back to what you have now. but you're talking about lifting a lowered truck, rather than just "less lowering".

I'd still say remove some of the lift by using smaller blocks. Heck, you could probably cut them down on a bandsaw, lol... blocks tend to increase things like axle wrap, so having smaller ones (or none at all) would be better all around anyway.

IMO, just save up for new springs. That way, you can get exactly what you need to carry the exact load you need, and they'd be designed to have the proper lift/lowering you need without bandaids like blocks or aal's...

 

I don't use blocks. Since you have an 01 find a set of 4x4 leaf springs from a 98-2004. This will allow you to do the "s-dad mod" if you look on customtacos there is a write up. Basically you used the 4x4 leafs with the 2wd overload flip to upside down and this will lower the back 3" and maintain a good ride and no axle wrap under acceleration.

 

@ OP i plan to lower my taco as well, what kind of lowering system you got? did you go through LC Engineering for it?

 

I got just under 3" drop in the rear by having Deaver de-arch my factory springs to my own specs. They told me they almost never replace leafs due to just age, what is wrong with yours other than the ride height?

Do you have a drop on the front, if not maybe this is messing with your stance and giving the impression of worn rear springs? Pics would be nice of course!

 

Really only Belltech, DJM, and Chassistech makes lowering "kits" for these trucks nowadays.

Belltech will give a 2-3" front coil/rear blocks with the plushest ride. You dont need the kit with shorter shocks to save cash.
DJM gives you a 3-4" drop with a bj flip and blocks. They charge you extra for control arms you dont need also.
Chassitech has a 3-4" drop with front coils, these are known to ride stiffer compared to the others mentioned.

Ebay seems to have the best deals when I was shopping for these parts.

Hope this helps get you going!

 

I purchased the truck the way it sets. No bj flip but it does seem to have an aftermarket coil in the front. I ordered new Moog coil spring up front (which I assume will lift the front back up) and bought kyb shocks to go around. I am thinking about doing the deaver add a leaf and take out the blocks since I am experiencing some axel wrap. Sure I will lose +/- 1” of drop but in the end I feel like it’s the most economical way to get it done.

 

damn clean lookin trucks lol. how much for the ebay ones? LC charging like 300 for a 3' in the front and 4' in the rear lowering it.

 

What wheel tire combo are you running? These hideous black AR wheels were on the truck when I bought it. I like the look of a factory wheel, clean and simple.

 

Is your plan to be back to "stock" height? How does the truck ride currently and what are the plans for the truck? I ask only because you can get it at a 3/3 drop and it would ride and handle great with some good parts and weekend of work.

 

Not looking to get back to stock ride height. I will be taking the rear blocks out, they are 2” or 3”, and putting in the deaver aal in (hoping this gives stiffens up the rear and hoping it puts me around where it is now or adds some north end rake). I’ll be putting the new moog coils in with new shocks to go around. As far as the front goes, there is aftermarket drop coils in there. Not sure how much drop they provided. I’m sure with the new moogs I will go up slightly in the front.

Front shocks are blown so bounces everywhere atm, rear seems pretty soft. Hope to eventually run across a leer are are slick top to put on the back, this is one reason for the aal.

 

2012 Lexus IS250 wheels however they do not just bolt on, see the details on this thread I started regarding factory wheels. A lot of info on that whole thread to help your search.

 

I quickly found you a Belltech 2/3" drop kit for $200 shipped. This is the route I would go. Not quite as much drop as a 3/4" but still get a nicer stance, a more usable truck height, lower center of gravity for better handling, and a daily drive-able ride.

Or if you are more into as much drop as feasible at the cost of a rougher ride you can grab the 3/4" coil block drop for $227 shipped.

Add to the cart NOW!!

 

Seeing your super sweet SRunner the front does not appear to have too much drop if any from what I can tell in the pic.

I would start off just removing the rear blocks and see where this gets you ride wise and stance wise. This would be the most economical approach and you will learn a bit about how the truck rides and looks without the blocks.

Then you can go on changing from there depending on how it comes out or what you would like to improve on further.

 

Thanks for the info here. I found a set last night with tires that is super tempting to go grab. Just have to find a machine shop and see what they will run to bore them out.

 

At what point are shorter shocks needed? I just replaced all 4 shocks and am thinking I should have lowered it a bit at the same time, but if its a negligible benefit then Ill just run the MonoMax shocks I just installed.

 

Definitely would like to see pics if you get new wheels and/or remove blocks on your truck! I would suggest to also consider the XRunner as OEM alternate wheels for your SRunner since they have a 35 offset that would bring them out a bit further and align nicely with your fender flares.. I just think they would look awesome on your black SRunner!

Google Map "wheel machine shop" that's how I did it anyhow. Think I paid about $25 per wheel to bore and remount tires.

Good luck on your upcoming upgrade!

 

You are ok to use your stock length KYB's at least up to a 3/4" drop from what I have learned from the World of Tacomas.

I am at ~3" drop without issues on stock length Bilsteins.