5 lug 95.5-04 Lowering info for newbs

I just got off the phone with a guy from Energy Suspension and he said this part, 8.5123 is not one of the select few that contain graphite in the black version.

He said body mounts and control arm bushings are the ones that may contain graphite in some applications.

 

Good to know - I always looked at the G in the part #'s which I was under the impression stood for "graphite".. More importantly though, did he confirm these red ones are one of the select few that give you 10 horsepower?!

 

I actually told him I was considering giving up the 10 horsepower for ones that don't squeak.

He said, "don't do that. The both squeak the same...…"

I guess there's a reason engineers are not sales or marketing people.

 

I will give anyone close my old leafs for free.

Kept them thinking (back in '09) that I would find a low mile 5 lug to drop but didn't, now looks like never.

Doubtful anyone in TX, will though. Just never caught on here, not in the '80s when 'MiniTruckin', nor CustomTaco days.

Anyway. Drop a line anyone rolling through. Right off I10.

 

Hey, Hooks98tacoma found some shocks locally and doesn't want mine anymore.

I'm thinking now of returning all 4 Belltech shocks and sticking with my Bilstein 4600's on the front and rear.

Do you think the rears will be ok with a 3" block drop?

 

I only know people keep the stock shocks with a 2” drop. Not sure about 3”. The main thing it to try it but maybe have some ready to put on if it doesn’t work out

 

Good thinking, I plan to run my Bilstein's with a 3.5" drop in the rear! May need a low profile bump stop back there to get some travel back..

 

Bump Stops:



Sway Bar Bushings:



End Links:



No squeaking...… so far.

TOY 96

 

Would the 3inch drop require shims? Cause I bought 3 inch blocks and it came with shims.

 

If there's a vibration in the driveshaft then yes

 

The kit I ordered did not come with them and I have been up to 90 mph…. I mean, 65 mph No vibrations so far!

443SP

After the problems I've have with the front shocks in this kit being too wide to fit through the hole in the lower control arm.

I should of bought this kit and kept my Bilstein 4600 shocks.

443

Same parts minus the shocks.


TOY 96

 

Anyone got recommendations for a solid bolt-on c-notch? Looking to go 5/6 very soon on my 02 xcab. TIA!

 

Hey TOY, nice truck! I noticed you only flipped the lower BJ. Is that what makes it a 2" drop? I flipped both upper and lower and I'm considering going back to stock because of how the roads are here but might consider just putting the upper back to stock and seeing how that works.

What did you do for the rear bump stops between the frame and axle?

 

Hey chuckyray,

To get 2" in the front and 3" in the rear, I used this kit:

443SP

Except the front shocks that were too big to fit through the hole in the lower control arm.

For the front Shocks I went with the Bilstein 4600’s I already had.




I'm running the stock Bump stops in the rear.





If I could go back and do it again, I would have bought this kit instead:

443

And stayed with the Bilstein 4600’s front and rear.


TOY 96

 

@TOY 96, Love how your truck is looking!

Did you end up with your Biltseins all around? And how would you describe the ride compared to how it was after installing your drop?

I gotta find some time to start working on my drop.. think I may buy some new leafs springs though to have re-arched vs re-arching my old semi worn ones. Just hoping to reduce some axle wrap that my old springs are giving way to on the more "spirited" launches, especially before I plop the supercharger IN. Too much traction with these new performance tires I guess!?

Trudy still waiting to get lower...


Front Deaver coils also waiting (2.65" drop and 25% more spring rate):


Let there be lowered Tacoma's!

 

Thanks, I’m pretty happy with the results.

I’ve haven’t swapped out the Belltech Street Performance rear shocks back to the Bilstein 4600’s. They ride fine but I’d like run the same ones all around. I guess I’m just a little OCD but my laziness usually wins out.

Before you start your drop, return any Harbor Freight Pittsburg Jacks you have for cash or store credit. I guess they had a recall because some failed and fell on people!!

If that wasn’t bad enough, then the replacement model jack got recalled too. Bad couple of months for Harbor Freight.

You don’t want Trudy coming down on your head!!

FYI

I was watching Tom's Turbo Garage and he was swapping a 5.3 LS into a 2002 Taco and calling it Project Firebolt. I should of waited until he got to part 15, because that's where he did the front suspension including the springs. He went to Coilovers but disassembly is the same.

Check it out!!!

LSX V8 Turbo Tacoma - Project Firebolt Part 15



TOY 96

 

Curious what tools yall are using for spring compressor? I borrowed a couple and they were both too big so I ended up using floor jacks.
Edit: A little sketched out using the jack method for my LBJ

 

Here is my Taco rides pretty good very smooth just need to firm up the rear, I have the 4x4 leafs to install.

Front:
Qa1 coil overs
Ball joint flip (going to change with spindle mod)
DJM upper control arms
All new ball joints
Energy suspension sway bar bushings

Rear:
4” steel blocks
Kyb shocks

 

What tonneua cover is that?

 

it’s a switchblade actually off of a second gen Tacoma just a few mods to make it fit