Downey suspension kit

Tom · 01-10-2004, 08:35 PM

I am thinking about running the downey 3in kit. And am wondering if anybody runs this kits. I would like to know how it performs, durability, quality, cost and what you guys think of it.

goatboy22382 · 01-11-2004, 10:33 AM

I am running the 3" lift from downey in the rear. I like it. it was real easy to install took just a couple hrs to do and now im running 33x12.50 bfg Mt's without any rubbing.

fooddude · 01-11-2004, 01:29 PM

ive never seen a 3in kit from downey. Any links to it?

Tom · 01-11-2004, 04:08 PM

their web site www.downeyoff-road.com

Tom · 01-11-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by goatboy22382
I am running the 3" lift from downey in the rear. I like it. it was real easy to install took just a couple hrs to do and now im running 33x12.50 bfg Mt's without any rubbing.

does it have good flex. Is there any welding involved

Napoleon047 · 01-11-2004, 04:14 PM

i hear on every board out there that downey sucks, period. the quality of their products is the only thing that sucks more than their customer service. most ppl have a problem with the parts not fitting right from downey.

if you are going to pour money into an IFS lift, i would go with superlift, which has a stronger welded design.

PoBoy · 01-11-2004, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Napoleon047
i hear on every board out there that downey sucks, period. the quality of their products is the only thing that sucks more than their customer service. most ppl have a problem with the parts not fitting right from downey.

if you are going to pour money into an IFS lift, i would go with superlift, which has a stronger welded design.

You dont get around much then....they wouldnt be in business for so long if that were true. A ton of people run downey out there especially in the rear.

Downey is great product. I ran coil overs on my 4Runner for 3 years...couldnt have been happier. I had a rear spring break...they shipped me out a new one after one phone call and a fax of my receipt. Good service

Flygtenstein · 01-11-2004, 04:53 PM

Downey is a perfectly fine place for getting bolt on stuff. How many hundreds of people are running around with 1.5" rear lift coils from Downey? How many people say those stink? C'mon.

Downey makes a rear 3" lift kit that is coils, spacers, a panhard bracket, bumpstop spacers, and a brake line. I ran it and it was decent.

Downey also makes/made a 3" front lift kit that was Rancho upper arms, special CV's and some other stuff. It lifted without dropping the diff. Only problem is that you could not use 4wd over 25 because of the goofy CV's, they were splined and slid rather than being of relatively static length. Some had problems with alignment, others regarded it as a bastardized conglomeration of subpar parts. I have no opinion on it since I have never run it.

SteveO · 01-11-2004, 05:23 PM

These are Downey coils....holding a 5000lb 4Runner and running 285/75R16 tires.

fooddude · 01-11-2004, 06:09 PM

so are you going to crank the torsion bars 3 inches or what. I thought you couldnt crank them 3 inches. But please correct me if im wrong because i most likely am.

Napoleon047 · 01-11-2004, 08:26 PM

im talking about their kit for the front of 1st gen IFS and other stuff. the kit was designed in the 80's and has never been updated.

as far as their other products, just ask 44runner about how their elocker cable conversion worked out. i dont know of a single person who was happy with the kit when they got it.

i can show you several threads on PBB on how downey sucks

PoBoy · 01-11-2004, 09:17 PM

And this thread is refering to 2nd gens...so dont go off saying "Downey suck period". You give a bad name to a good company that way. And I think 44Runner will say yes, the cable conversion wasnt the best...but I doubt he will say that Downey sucks. I believe he was quite happy with his IFS Downey coil overs and rear springs...

I think we can all dig up threads on PBB that bash every company out there...that board is worthless for researching "what is best" and "what sucks". Everything has been broken...build it yourself.

Napoleon047 · 01-12-2004, 06:26 AM

you may or may not realize this, but your 2nd gen runner still has the 1st gen IFS. the second gen IFS is in taco's and 3rd gen runners

goatboy22382 · 01-12-2004, 06:47 AM

I just have the kit in the rear. I think that it flexes realtively well. my tires rub on the frame before the springs are done flexing. a change in backspacing would help but that is a different point. my truck sits a little low in the front but not much and i set the t bars at 15 in.

fooddude · 01-12-2004, 03:43 PM

i am thinking of getting this kit. Goatboy how much difference is the front from the back in height, and do you suggest me running this setup, have you had any probs with cranking the t-bars to 15. if you wouldnt mind answering these this would be a big help. Thanks.

Tom · 01-12-2004, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fooddude
so are you going to crank the torsion bars 3 inches or what. I thought you couldnt crank them 3 inches. But please correct me if im wrong because i most likely am.

I am under the impression that you can get 3 inches safely. If they mean that 3 inches is the most out of the lift that you can get but loose ride qually than that wouldn't be good. So I can't answer your question and i would also like to know this.

Tom · 01-12-2004, 05:33 PM

Can you list somethings you dont like about the downey FRONT kit. Seeing you are the only person that I've hear say they dont like it so what bugs you about it. I'll also check out some other forums and see what they have to say.

Flygtenstein · 01-12-2004, 07:27 PM

I ran the Downey 3" rear kit with no real front lift for almost a year and I did not think that it looked like a hot rod.

Now I have even more rear lift and the same front lift, but I still do not think that I would want any more lift in front.

goatboy22382 · 01-13-2004, 07:03 AM

I have to get off to school right now but when i get done Ill take some pics so that you guys can make up your own minds on the hot rod look.

Napoleon047 · 01-13-2004, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom
Can you list somethings you dont like about the downey FRONT kit. Seeing you are the only person that I've hear say they dont like it so what bugs you about it. I'll also check out some other forums and see what they have to say.

here we go:
1) limited to 25 miles per hour
2) weaker than stock undersized axles, slip yokes, etc
3) doesnt provide the advertised amount of lift or travel
4) totally overpriced
5) the rancho upper arms like to break at the torsion bar mount

if you are going to pour money into the IFS there really arent many good options. at the lower end of the $ spectrum, superlift or black diamond are the choice options. if $ is no object, Total Chaos or ATS Racing have by far the best kits for toyota IFS.

downey and NWOR may be the oldest toy part suppliers, but they never graduated into the 1990's. seriously, who still has you pay $6 for a catalog and not have an online catalog at all? in the year 2004, that says bad customer service to me. sounds to me like they are still around because they make money off of their catalog sales. even LC Engineerings website pisses me off because of the separate price list and catalog.

Tom · 01-13-2004, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Napoleon047
here we go:
1) limited to 25 miles per hour
2) weaker than stock undersized axles, slip yokes, etc
3) doesnt provide the advertised amount of lift or travel
4) totally overpriced
5) the rancho upper arms like to break at the torsion bar mount

if you are going to pour money into the IFS there really arent many good options. at the lower end of the $ spectrum, superlift or black diamond are the choice options. if $ is no object, Total Chaos or ATS Racing have by far the best kits for toyota IFS.

Thats exactly what I found on the other forums so I made my choice not to go with downey. The fact that the custom axles are weak is one thing, but not being able to use 4wd over 25mph is another. Weak axles so you cant crawl it and 25mph speed limit so u cant rip it. To me thats useless but thats just me.

As for the total chaos, now thats one wicked set up. You also get what you paid for. The price is not for me. Maybe in the future but thats maybe.

Scarbro22 · 01-14-2004, 06:07 PM

Where is the Total Chaos Kit seen?? Thanks

01-10-2004, 08:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tom Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: BC Canada Posts: 66	Downey suspension kit I am thinking about running the downey 3in kit. And am wondering if anybody runs this kits. I would like to know how it performs, durability, quality, cost and what you guys think of it. __________________ Keep em on all four 1990 4 Runner, 2dr, 22re, 5 speed, 31x10.5 15 all terrain. Last edited by Tom : 01-10-2004 at 08:37 PM.

01-11-2004, 10:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
goatboy22382 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 187	I am running the 3" lift from downey in the rear. I like it. it was real easy to install took just a couple hrs to do and now im running 33x12.50 bfg Mt's without any rubbing. __________________ 94 4runner, v6, auto, 4WD, optima red top, headers and exaust,K&N fipk, 3 in downey lift, manual hubs, 33x12.50 bfg mud terrains, 10lb power tank

01-11-2004, 01:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
fooddude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Edmond OKlahoma Posts: 733	ive never seen a 3in kit from downey. Any links to it? __________________ 95 SR5 4x4 4runner Sony Xploid cd player(not sure which one) Rockford fosgate 900 watt 2 channel amp, 2 600 watt kenwood 10 inch subs. Some cheap cb from walmart Surco safari rack with 2 KC Daylighters 15x8 tech 1 rock crawlers Spintech exaust external fuse box mod. Airbox MOD. K@N Air Filter. ISR MOD Downey HD's

01-11-2004, 04:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tom Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: BC Canada Posts: 66	their web site www.downeyoff-road.com __________________ Keep em on all four 1990 4 Runner, 2dr, 22re, 5 speed, 31x10.5 15 all terrain.

01-11-2004, 04:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Napoleon047 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 982	i hear on every board out there that downey sucks, period. the quality of their products is the only thing that sucks more than their customer service. most ppl have a problem with the parts not fitting right from downey. if you are going to pour money into an IFS lift, i would go with superlift, which has a stronger welded design. __________________ -Peter 86 4runner SAS - Trail Rig 87 Turbo Truck - DD/Parts hauler the dirt cheap SAS Marko Customs

01-11-2004, 04:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,257	Downey is a perfectly fine place for getting bolt on stuff. How many hundreds of people are running around with 1.5" rear lift coils from Downey? How many people say those stink? C'mon. Downey makes a rear 3" lift kit that is coils, spacers, a panhard bracket, bumpstop spacers, and a brake line. I ran it and it was decent. Downey also makes/made a 3" front lift kit that was Rancho upper arms, special CV's and some other stuff. It lifted without dropping the diff. Only problem is that you could not use 4wd over 25 because of the goofy CV's, they were splined and slid rather than being of relatively static length. Some had problems with alignment, others regarded it as a bastardized conglomeration of subpar parts. I have no opinion on it since I have never run it.

01-11-2004, 05:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
SteveO Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NM Posts: 1,820	These are Downey coils....holding a 5000lb 4Runner and running 285/75R16 tires. __________________ [url=http://www.Hunt4Steve.com] In the span of time, life is short. Our life is like a wave on the ocean, a flower in the field, here today and gone tomorrow. Know yourself, know where you will spend eternity, for NOTHING else will matter when you die.

01-11-2004, 06:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
fooddude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Edmond OKlahoma Posts: 733	so are you going to crank the torsion bars 3 inches or what. I thought you couldnt crank them 3 inches. But please correct me if im wrong because i most likely am. __________________ 95 SR5 4x4 4runner Sony Xploid cd player(not sure which one) Rockford fosgate 900 watt 2 channel amp, 2 600 watt kenwood 10 inch subs. Some cheap cb from walmart Surco safari rack with 2 KC Daylighters 15x8 tech 1 rock crawlers Spintech exaust external fuse box mod. Airbox MOD. K@N Air Filter. ISR MOD Downey HD's

01-11-2004, 08:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
Napoleon047 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 982	im talking about their kit for the front of 1st gen IFS and other stuff. the kit was designed in the 80's and has never been updated. as far as their other products, just ask 44runner about how their elocker cable conversion worked out. i dont know of a single person who was happy with the kit when they got it. i can show you several threads on PBB on how downey sucks __________________ -Peter 86 4runner SAS - Trail Rig 87 Turbo Truck - DD/Parts hauler the dirt cheap SAS Marko Customs

01-11-2004, 09:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
PoBoy Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,000	And this thread is refering to 2nd gens...so dont go off saying "Downey suck period". You give a bad name to a good company that way. And I think 44Runner will say yes, the cable conversion wasnt the best...but I doubt he will say that Downey sucks. I believe he was quite happy with his IFS Downey coil overs and rear springs... I think we can all dig up threads on PBB that bash every company out there...that board is worthless for researching "what is best" and "what sucks". Everything has been broken...build it yourself. __________________ So I sold my '96 4Runner to get married...I was sad. BUT NOT ANY MORE! Check out my 1985 4Runner with 32,xxx miles! PoBoyTech.Net Last edited by PoBoy : 01-11-2004 at 09:18 PM.

01-12-2004, 06:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
Napoleon047 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 982	you may or may not realize this, but your 2nd gen runner still has the 1st gen IFS. the second gen IFS is in taco's and 3rd gen runners __________________ -Peter 86 4runner SAS - Trail Rig 87 Turbo Truck - DD/Parts hauler the dirt cheap SAS Marko Customs

01-12-2004, 06:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
goatboy22382 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 187	I just have the kit in the rear. I think that it flexes realtively well. my tires rub on the frame before the springs are done flexing. a change in backspacing would help but that is a different point. my truck sits a little low in the front but not much and i set the t bars at 15 in. __________________ 94 4runner, v6, auto, 4WD, optima red top, headers and exaust,K&N fipk, 3 in downey lift, manual hubs, 33x12.50 bfg mud terrains, 10lb power tank

01-12-2004, 03:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
fooddude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Edmond OKlahoma Posts: 733	i am thinking of getting this kit. Goatboy how much difference is the front from the back in height, and do you suggest me running this setup, have you had any probs with cranking the t-bars to 15. if you wouldnt mind answering these this would be a big help. Thanks. __________________ 95 SR5 4x4 4runner Sony Xploid cd player(not sure which one) Rockford fosgate 900 watt 2 channel amp, 2 600 watt kenwood 10 inch subs. Some cheap cb from walmart Surco safari rack with 2 KC Daylighters 15x8 tech 1 rock crawlers Spintech exaust external fuse box mod. Airbox MOD. K@N Air Filter. ISR MOD Downey HD's

01-12-2004, 05:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
Tom Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: BC Canada Posts: 66	Napoleon047 Can you list somethings you dont like about the downey FRONT kit. Seeing you are the only person that I've hear say they dont like it so what bugs you about it. I'll also check out some other forums and see what they have to say. __________________ Keep em on all four 1990 4 Runner, 2dr, 22re, 5 speed, 31x10.5 15 all terrain.

01-12-2004, 07:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
Flygtenstein Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 4,257	I ran the Downey 3" rear kit with no real front lift for almost a year and I did not think that it looked like a hot rod. Now I have even more rear lift and the same front lift, but I still do not think that I would want any more lift in front.

01-13-2004, 07:03 AM	#19 (permalink)
goatboy22382 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 187	I have to get off to school right now but when i get done Ill take some pics so that you guys can make up your own minds on the hot rod look. __________________ 94 4runner, v6, auto, 4WD, optima red top, headers and exaust,K&N fipk, 3 in downey lift, manual hubs, 33x12.50 bfg mud terrains, 10lb power tank

01-14-2004, 06:07 PM	#22 (permalink)
Scarbro22 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: TN Posts: 227	Where is the Total Chaos Kit seen?? Thanks __________________ 94 4Runner 4x4 4.88's, BFG AT 32x11.50. Downey 1.5" Coils Custom Sliders, Husky Liners throughout, custom made internal rod holder, and Smitty Bilt Grille Guard with Hella 500's.