Leveling out a T100

G100 · 06-22-2009, 11:43 PM

I just bought a 97’ T100 3.4 4x4 manual trans. and have a lot of modifications planned for it. It is going to be my second project replacing my first project a 94’ V8 4x4 Dodge Dakota converted into a Baja surfing camping machine (you can check it out on CL @ http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/1227306416.html). I decided to go Toyota for the reliability factor because I plan on keeping this one forever. I am on this site all the time getting ideas and it has been really helpful.
So here’s my questions:
- I want to put BFGs 32x11.5 on 15” black rims, which from my research should be no problem. Not sure what the backspacing should be, I was thinking about 3.75 ??? , I would like them to stick out a little bit, maybe an inch from the fender, but not too much. Does anyone know about what backspacing I am looking for???

-My big issue is the stance of the T100, the rear end sits up higher then the front, I don’t like it. I would like it to sit just a bit higher in the front. I don’t want to crank the torsions, I thought about BJ spacers, but I figure I don’t plan on doing any rock crawling and it seems to me like the clearance is enough for the trails that I drive so I was wondering if it is possible to lower the back end a little like 1.5”. I am planning on putting a camper on the back and decking it out for camping like the Dakota. So I don’t want the back end as high as it is right now, too hard to get in and out of the camper. So is this possible, and how do I do it ???? I searched for different spring shackles, no luck. I figure maybe new leaf springs?? Will I have any problem running 32x11.5s?? I also thought maybe a combo of lowering the back 1” and raising the front with BJ Spacers.

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CRafferty · 06-23-2009, 12:12 AM

A1: The backspacing should be 3.75 to 4" (I think)
A2: I think that BJ spacers should do the job pretty well, though I'm not sure how intense your rake is on the rear.

scuba · 06-23-2009, 12:40 AM

Sounds like its got an AAL..
Check that rear packs and see if it has something that looks like an add a leaf..

G100 · 06-26-2009, 09:37 PM

it doesn't look like its got an add a leaf to me, three springs two full length and one half. Has anyone seen after market shackles that will lower it a bit?

Kiroshu · 06-26-2009, 10:09 PM

possilbe new and or different shocks in rear... usually the frontend of toyotas never wear out, mostly the back....

jimmck · 07-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Try changing the Torsion bars. I changed to some Downey 26mm. here is what they state on their web sit "The stock 4WD front torsion bars are 22.8mm, which is adequate for stock 28” tires and wheels, or for normal highway use with heavier tires and wheels. Install a set of 31” tires (or larger) then go off road with your 22.8mm torsion bars and see what happens. The heavier the tire, the worse your off road experience will be". I'm looking to use the add a leaf to level my T100. The front end is now about 1.5" or more is taller than the rear end.
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...-98_T-100.html

Good luck

toyota4x4907 · 07-07-2009, 09:56 PM

The rear is higher because its a truck...and you load the bed with stuff...usually heavy stuff...then when its loaded, it won't look like a granny butt.
IF you're going to do a camper and all that jazz, I would suggest leaving the rear alone so the weight of everything in the rear will level it out, not make it sag.

G100 · 07-08-2009, 10:42 PM

Hey Jimmck, hows the ride? are you bouncing around like a bobble-head? I feel like I wouldn't want any stiffer then what I got right now. I talked to guy from ORW and he told me to stay away from Ball Joint Spacers because the break, first I have heard of that, does anyone know anything about problems with BJ spacers.

jimmck · 07-15-2009, 12:26 PM

I thought i posted a reply last week but.
The truck rides a little stiffer but of road it handles a lot better. i replace all the rubber on the sway bar with poly and cleaned things up real good and after looking every thing over i have come to the conclusion that a total SAS is the best way to go with this truck. the ball joint spacers are a bit scary to me. you have to cut a big chunk out of the upper control arm and i have heard of them breaking after doing this. If you are looking to keep the smooth ride that the T100 is known for you might find this web site interesting.
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/t100/
He did a really nice job on his but it seams that with the amount of welding he did i would rather go with the SAS.

Good luck.

06-23-2009, 12:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Sounds like its got an AAL.. Check that rear packs and see if it has something that looks like an add a leaf.. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

06-26-2009, 10:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kiroshu Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wade, NC Posts: 1,305	possilbe new and or different shocks in rear... usually the frontend of toyotas never wear out, mostly the back.... __________________ My current: 1986 Toyota 4runner SR5 EFI 4cyl 2.4L 22RE 5-Speed 242,000 Miles 95% Stock __________________ (Still working on restoring her) My old: 1988 Toyota 4runner SR5 EFI V6 3.0L 3VZ-E 5-Speed 302,000 Miles All stock (sold)______________ (Was my fastest truck i miss her...) My old: 1989 Toyota 4runner Non-SR5 EFI 4cyl 2.4L 22RE Automatic 231,000 Miles (sold)______________ (was my quietest and slowest yota.)

07-07-2009, 09:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
jimmck Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Leandro Ca, Posts: 5	Torsion bars Try changing the Torsion bars. I changed to some Downey 26mm. here is what they state on their web sit "The stock 4WD front torsion bars are 22.8mm, which is adequate for stock 28” tires and wheels, or for normal highway use with heavier tires and wheels. Install a set of 31” tires (or larger) then go off road with your 22.8mm torsion bars and see what happens. The heavier the tire, the worse your off road experience will be". I'm looking to use the add a leaf to level my T100. The front end is now about 1.5" or more is taller than the rear end. http://www.downeyoff-road.com/Suspen...-98_T-100.html Good luck

07-07-2009, 09:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
toyota4x4907 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 2,330	The rear is higher because its a truck...and you load the bed with stuff...usually heavy stuff...then when its loaded, it won't look like a granny butt. IF you're going to do a camper and all that jazz, I would suggest leaving the rear alone so the weight of everything in the rear will level it out, not make it sag. __________________ '95 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|130K miles\|ISR\| 2" BL\| 31x10.5 \| CompuStar Auto-start\| two 170mm LightForce\|anti-sway bars removed f/r\|Warn manual hubs\|ADD bypassed\|Diff breather extensions\|XLPerformance muffler '88 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|206K miles\|Sold '93 single cab\|22re\|5spd\|150K miles\|Sold\| Pro IFS

07-08-2009, 10:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
G100 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 5	Hey Jimmck, hows the ride? are you bouncing around like a bobble-head? I feel like I wouldn't want any stiffer then what I got right now. I talked to guy from ORW and he told me to stay away from Ball Joint Spacers because the break, first I have heard of that, does anyone know anything about problems with BJ spacers. __________________ 97' T100 Xtra-cab SR5 4x4 Manual trans.

06-26-2009, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
G100 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 5	it doesn't look like its got an add a leaf to me, three springs two full length and one half. Has anyone seen after market shackles that will lower it a bit?

07-15-2009, 12:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
jimmck Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Leandro Ca, Posts: 5	Rides good I thought i posted a reply last week but. The truck rides a little stiffer but of road it handles a lot better. i replace all the rubber on the sway bar with poly and cleaned things up real good and after looking every thing over i have come to the conclusion that a total SAS is the best way to go with this truck. the ball joint spacers are a bit scary to me. you have to cut a big chunk out of the upper control arm and i have heard of them breaking after doing this. If you are looking to keep the smooth ride that the T100 is known for you might find this web site interesting. http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/t100/ He did a really nice job on his but it seams that with the amount of welding he did i would rather go with the SAS. Good luck.

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