Let's lower it

Hi gang, I just picked up a clean 1998 5 lug single cab. I have been reading a lot of info on lowering and have decided to go 5/6 drop. I have read that you want to stay 25" or below on overall tire height. My question is max wheel/tire width and back spacing. (i don't mind rolling the lip. I have been looking at 16" wheels and 50 series tire. Any do/don't is appreciated as well as best lowering kits.
Thanks!

 

Lower

 

Really looking for some advise on back spacing and wheel width if anyone can chime in...

 

tps://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/5-lug-95-5-04-lowering-info-for-ne

 

Picsss

 

Hope you do know a 5/6 drop will more than likely need a c-notch in your frame rails or be prepared to bottom out a bunch and never load up your bed again! My truck has been relegated to mostly sport truck duties since I cant haul too heavy of a load anymore at just over 4/5"+ drop and no c-notch. Also my wide 25" tires would be rubbing like crazy with a 5/6 drop unless I did even further mods..

You can probably see there is no 5/6 kit for your truck, the 1st gens need a custom touch when you wish to go custom as you are thinking. The lower you go and wider your want to go with tires and wheels and to really max out your own truck and retain rideability, the more mods and measurements you will need to compliment your meaty rubbers and make it work right. There is simply no one formula for all trucks when going all out! I suggest a custom 2" drop spindle combined with a drop coil (eg Belltech) or the custom coilover/mounts for the front to start with around 4". Then get the proper amount of rear block to balance out your stance based on where the front ends up.

16" wheels simply will not be your best bet for the widest tires, look at 17's or 18's to go wider with more selection of high performance tires too if you want to drive it in a spirited manner at all or simply want the most meat possible. Backspacing depends on model year, wheel/tire width, drop, spacers, mods, preferred stance, etc..

You should likely check my signature build thread for all the details you seek and more in this regard and how I did multiple mods for my 4/5+ drop with real world results to allow the fattest rubber I could for trophy winning autocrossing purposes.. its too much info, specs, changes, and math for me to recall off the top of my head. Its a long read, but trust me its all in there somewhere and should give you all the info you need and more!

Note/Warning: I have an 02 with 18's, so not everything I did applies 1:1 to your truck as the front fender wells and the wheel hubs are not the same as your 98 keep in mind..

pic as requested..

 

Thanks guys. Here is a pic of the truck when I purchased it. She's a 25'er but is very mechanically sound. I am removing the HUGE 18" Strada wheels and going with the wheel in the pic. it will have 225x45x17 (7.5" wide) with a +45 which should tuck no problem. C-Notching is no problem at all. I'm just trying to save my self from doing work twice, thus leaning on the crew that has done it before

 

I'm on a 3/4 drop, ball joint flip up front, 3" blocks and full 6cyl leaf pack with just a helper swap from the originals. It can still carry some weight and doesn't bottom out in normal driving. 17x7 et38 with 215/50r17. Coilovers would be better than the bj flip and probably pair with the stiffer leaf pack better but works well for my needs.

 

I will note that the ball joint flip caused the stock brake lines to become rather tight at full lock. This doesn't seem to get mentioned in the main lowering threads so maybe it's not much of a concern.

 

did my wheel fit yesterday and fits perfect, they will tuck front and rear no problem. Ordered DJM BJFK with DJM steel 4" blocks and QA-1 coil overs (550 springs). Trying to figure out the best way to get another 1" lower in the rear without removing the leaf. I don't really want to do a 5" block. Also what's everyone doing for shocks in the rear? Part numbers would be helpful .

 

Almost finished...QA1 coil overs, DJM BJFK, 4" steel blocks. Removed a leaf but it was way to soft and rear end was on the frame so I put it back in. I'd like to figure out the S-Dad mod and do a c-notch

 

I went with a Dorman 4x4 leaf pack part number 929 401 on both sides and got just shy of an inch, only swapped in the factory 5 lug helper for ground clearance.

 

Very clean with the QA1 set up! How is the ride with them?

 

It rides amazing. I replaced all the ball joints and tie rod ends and it rides like a new car. So tight in the front and plenty of travel. WELL worth it!!

 

What block did you go with and did you remove a leaf?

 

I made my own 3" blocks. For the leaf pack I only swapped the helper spring from my factory pack because the 4x4 helpers curve down and reduce ground clearance, I did not remove any other leafs. With the blocks and leaf swap I got just shy of 4" overall drop and the back end is definitely stiffer than stock.

 

Hey @Taco16t Would you say the bed is still capable of transporting a load with this set up. I love the stance and might mimic it on my 98’ tacoma.

 

Here's an idea.. measure your current height without a load, load all the stuff you wish to carry, then measure how much this lowers the truck already. You are going to want probably at least an inch of clearance between your axle and bump stops to allow some travel, maybe more when its fully loaded. Nice thing is rear blocks are cheap and can be ordered up in various sizes (inches, half inch and quarter inch spacers) to tune your ride height. Of course you need to modify your rear bump stops to compliment the drop and give your clearance back too if you are not aware.

I have over 5" drop in the rear and I do bottom out on huge bumps at times without any weight but also loaded her up with 3 couches the other day without an issue. These were huge couches but maybe not to heavy for the little truck. Basically its going to depend on how you want to use your truck to determine what works best for you.

Some guys add air bags to get a lot of drop but air up when they need to haul a heavy load as well, I dont have experience with this but this may be an option for dual purpose Tacoma action!

Best of luck!

 

I made up some leaf shackles with the spring mount positions +-1/2" from factory so I can add an inch from my normal height when carrying loads. Much easier than changing blocks as it's only a matter of getting the rear tires off the ground and removing/repositioning the spring bolts to the desired position. A set of "lift" shackles would accomplish the same thing and provide more height adjustment than what I ended up with.

 

Hey Taco16t,

What info do you have for the QA1 coil overs & DJM BJFK? Part numbers, where purchased, etc.

I have a 1999 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Extended Cab that I am thinking of lowering. I'm used to drop spindles and torsion bars in the front on earlier models, but not coils, so much.

Thanks for the info!