5 lug 95.5-04 Lowering info for newbs

I am on bags but I also have my ball joints flipped.

 

I finally installed the belltech 3” blocks. I also trimmed the oem bumpstops in the front bc I was bottoming out on certain bumps. So truck is now a 3/3 drop. Truck rides a lot better too. I’m probably going to swap out the rockauto shocks for some kyb gas adjusts or if y’all recommend anything else I’m all ears. here’s how she sits now

 

So I was looking around for 3” coil springs and came across this manufacturer that I haven’t seen mentioned here or on CustomTacos, which surprised me because they seem to have the most lowering parts I have ever seen for our trucks. They make spindle relocators, a 3” coil, lowering struts, bolt in adjustable coil overs, and even more. They also make lots of stuff for bagging and body parts too. Has anyone bought something from them?

x2industries.com

 

How much of a drop could I get away with on stock tires? Was thinking the Belltech kit would be fine as I have a standard cab and it wouldn't drop it much until i get tire/wheel money and decide what I want.

I've got about 3-3.5 inches of clearance as is, and decent space turn to turn.

 

hypothetically speaking if i wanted to run a super fat tire in the rear like 275 or more I would need a wider fender, maybe a spacer, and negative offset to make enough space for that wide tire correct?

 

Going to answer my own question incase someone else wants to know. Can drop a 5 lug 1.5" in the front and still run stock wheels and tires without any rubbing.

 

https://www.jegs.com/i/Belltech/146...&make=TOYOTA&model=TACOMA&submodel=BASE#qaTab


Would this lowering kit work for a base model 2.4 L Taco?
It says it doesn't but from what I've heard, it just won't lower as much as it would if it were installed on the 3.6L version.
Just wanted to see if I could get some confirmation before I drop 500 on the kit.

Has anyone used this kit before? I'm just looking for a bit of an upgrade in terms of drivability and want to make the truck look a little nicer too.

 

Youre thinking is right, it should fit just a little less drop due to less weight depending on your cab and engine. I take it your 2.4 falls between 96-04..

I run the Belltech rear blocks and they worked out fine. From what I understand the Belltech springs are the softer of the aftermarket drop springs available so would likely ride a bit nicer on the street accordingly. But you can get the other springs in a 3" drop if you want to go a bit lower and more performance oriented with a "harsher" ride. The lower you go the more this may cause interference with your tires rubbing depending on what diameter/width you are running.

The shocks are optional and you can get the springs and blocks separate to save dough, but if your shocks are shot it's a good time to replace them with these or KYB, Bilstein, etc.. More drop down the road can be had adding 2" drop spindles and thicker drop blocks and/or leaf spring mods. More drop may have you adjusting your bump stops too.

 

It’s pretty much stock painted it 4 years ago but not so sure how it would look dropped with how it currently looks

 

So I have a set of 4x4 leafs, and I can do the BJ flip. Do I need to swap my shocks? The truck has a slight rake to it now, will this even out or squat it? PFA.

 

I haven’t done it yet but you will need lower shocks these qa1’s have done other people good so I’m going with them

 

Hey that's my story highlight on my profile! Lol

 

. Do you have the specs on these? Extended length, compressed length?

 

Qa1 ts504

Extended Length (in.):
16.38
Collapsed Length (in.):
11.00

 

The best thing to do is get on the QA1 website and look at what they offer. Then put what their part number is into the summitracing.com search for which ever shock you wanna look up, select it, then scroll down to the specs. For some reason they seem to list more info on their site than QA1 does.

 

Hi all!

recently bought a 1999 Tacoma 2WD Reg cab and plan to lower it 3/3, if I understand the terms. I’ve got a pair of 1999 4x4 rear leaf springs and am doing the “S-dad” mod (removing the middle leaf and replacing the 4x4 overload leaf with the 2x4 overload leaf, flipped) which is supposed to yield a 3” drop, without blocks.

The front end appears to a bit more complicated.

I’m read about the ball joint flip or 3” drop springs, but not enthusiastic about altering the tie rod angles that much (I.e. bump steer).

I’ve also seen 2”+ welded spindle spacers, but they appear to need 17” or larger rims to clear. Welding steering knuckles is also a bit scary to me.

How about splitting the difference by using 1” spindle spacers and 2” drop springs? Not perfect, but it would yield a combined 3” drop and not compromise the tie rod angle (as much).

I haven’t seen this discussed before, but this might also be an option: I’ve had previously lowered other rack and pinion cars (Datsun 240Z/Porsche 914) and corrected bump steer by installing spacers under the rack. While I haven’t unbolted anything yet, it looks like the rack could be raised a bit on the Tacoma. The steering shaft u-joint to starter motor clearance looks like it would limit the amount of “lift”.

Any thoughts?
Great forum, by the way!

Marc in NorCal

 

Get proper drop spindles, not spacers, and you won't have to worry about bump steer.

My buddy Aaron makes them.

https://instagram.com/carswellweldedit

 

My new (to me) & soon to be lowered 5-lug.

04 2.4l 5-speed MT
Came w/ some aftermarket wheels.
I think it has aftermarket headers & exhaust (at least I think - sounds like it does)
Feels like a short shifter kit was definitely installed.
Bought from a local Toyota dealership but they didn’t give me much on its history.
Suspension seems to be stock.
Currently 16x8 on 235/60r16.

The plan was do a DJM Complete 3/3 lowering kit (includes steel blocks) and optional front & rear shocks.

Looking at going with 17x8 rims w/ the following tire options:

A. 235/55r17 (27.2” wheel diameter/height) - Similar to stock specs
B. 235/45r17 (25.3” diam./height) - recommended wheel diameter/height

 

There’s a 3/3 & 3/4 kit actually

 

@rtk1nk nice truck you "picked up" there!

With a 3" drop you will need the shorter 25" diameter tires to prevent rubbing.

Also I would suggest to look into drop spindles for a 2" drop without changing the factory suspension geometry, which can produce undesirable handling traits like bump steer. Then you could add a Belltech coil drop for a bit more lowering if you want more drop. Once the front is honed in you can add the block of your choice to the rear, they even come in half inch and quarter inch sizes to fine tune your stance.

Check out my build thread for all the details (4/5 drop for high performance driving/autocross), and here is Trudy for some inspiration! My build is no where near a bolt on kit, but the results were well worth it.



Here is a video on the autocross so you can see how she handles now and get and idea of what to expect - FUN!!