I'm kinda looking for a inexpensive way to lower the height of my truck, and maybe lessen the body roll. I read on explorerforum.com that jimabena74's truck had been lowered before he raised it up. He said, "the truck was lowered when i got it.... 3" rear block and cranked torsion bars..... befroe i raised it, i cranked the bars opposite so it was a little higher and removed the block... now that the fabtech lift is on, i backed off the tbars 2 full turns, so it is still a little higher than just the 4" spindles.. but i like it...." Could I tighten the torsion bars to lower the truck some, and whats this "3" rear block," I don't know anything about suspension, and most of you guys here seem to be experts. Would tighting the torsion bars and adding the blocks help lessen body roll? Where would I find these torsion bar(s?) on the truck? Where do the block(s?) go? Cost? Thanks for any help.

Here's the current height of my truck...

 

You place block under your axle, you will have to get longer u bolts, but all that won't cost much. I wouldn't mess with your torsions too much, if you tighten them that will lift it a tiny bit and be a stiffer ride. Maybe get a drop spindle or something, that will keep your factory ride. I'm no expert in lowering trucks, but that is my two cents.

 

Where are the torsion bars? What's a drop spindle? Do you recommend something like a 3" block, or is there a better alternative? Thanks.

 

you loosen the tbar bolts and it lowers the truck...dont lower it too much though or you will be rding on the bumpstops like my truck was when i got it.... the rear block kit is less than $30 at any autoparts store, kragens, pepboys, autozone.....

 

Where are the torsion bars located on the truck? Do I just need a socket wrench to loosen/tighten them? Thanks.

 

you need a 7/8" or 22mm box wrench and a 7/8" or 22mm socket on some kind of ratchet or air tool

they are the bars that run from the front lower control arm to the tranny crossmember.... there are bolts to them... the shape should look like an angled tear drop with a nut/bolt head on it

 

Thanks for the help. So loose = lower, but bouncy? Tight = higher, and stiffer? I'm looking for lower and stiffer. Wouldn't a stiffer suspension perform better? Thanks.

 

its not going to be bouncy unless you lower it too much and then in which case will ride on the bumpstops... some lowering will be fine

 

I know a suspension company, makes lowering spindles and leaf springs can't remember if its first or second gen though also can't remember who. It was an add in truckin. Djm has some stuff for 88-95s not sure how different the suspension is. But if you can find the lowering spindles, that'd be your best bet and I don't think it'll be hard to lower the back: flip the axle, lower leaf springs, or a block it.

 

could always put 4WD leaves on the rear. i think they're the same length, but stiffer and have less arch. a lot of guys just use blocks. could also add a swaybar to the rear.

as for the front...i have a theory that you could use H/D torsion bars and keep them low. that would stiffen up your ride but still be able to lower it, as they're a thicker bar

 

http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/str...ts-toyota.html

here's everything you need to drop it like its hot

 

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/torsion_bars/

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/torsion/

Above are a couple helpful links about torsion bars. Good luck.

 

If you loosen the t-bars it will drop the front end but it will make the suspension softer which might contribute to body roll but if you go really low it will only roll to the bump stops, you will have less body roll and a smoother ride to boot. This is the way my 4runner was before I lifted the rear end and it had a lot of body roll after lifting it because it had a long way to roll before hitting the bump stops. You can also throw in some gass charged shocks to stiffen the suspension after you drop it.

 

Wow, from SAS talk to lowering talk; that's quite a jump.

 

Thanks for all the help! I might Have a little issue with my front tires clearence (picture below). They seem to stick out the side so I probably couldn't lower the front more than 2 inches. The rear tires on the other hand look as though they have plenty of room (picture below). I think I located the torsion bar nuts and bolt (picture below). Does anyone think I could install the 3" blocks myself? I jacked one side up today, and even with the rear wheel off the ground, the springs seemed pretty tight. They feel as though they might be hard to work with. It might of been just because I still had the tire on - I dunno, I'm no suspension expert. Below are some pictures of my comments. Thanks for any help.


Front Clearence


Front Height


Rear Clearence


Rear Height


Rear Suspension


Torsion Bar bolt?

 

Bump.

 

hey heres an idea of what it might look like, i did this in paint and my mouse kept getting stuck so its not that great, if i get a new mouse ill make it all pretty

 

Thats what I'm looking for!

 

eh what can i say im good, even when the mouse sticks

lol jk

 

man, seeing those pics really make me miss my old '84 2wd

i just found out my doner engine for my '79 4x4 is a dud(rings are toast), i briefly thought of selling the truck and buying another. i'd love to own another 2wd someday