Installing an adjustable suspension is never quite as easy as some people believe it to be. This is probably why major suspension modifications should be left to real fabricators and professionals. Whether it's hydraulics or airbags, a suspension is not something that should be taken lightly. The Cool Cars crew in Louisville, Kentucky, has been installing and selling quality adjustable suspension systems, both pneumatic and hydraulic, for years. Most reputable shops will tell you that a lot of their daily work comes from repairs that have been done at home or by some "would be" fabricator. Most repair work is messy and generally ends up costing the customer more money than if they had the work done professionally the first time around.
Our example is a Toyota Tacoma that was in the shop to overhaul the hydraulic system previously installed. This isn't meant to be a step-by-step hydraulic system installation, but rather an overview of some of the work that went into fixing the truck.
Check it out, and for more information, contact the pros at Cool Cars using the source box above.
 1.Here's a look at the rather...  1.Here's a look at the rather scary original setup. A monoleaf with the hydraulic cylinders ran right to the leaf, and no notch. |  2.The first task of this repair...  2.The first task of this repair work was that extra step we like to call the "demo phase," because all of the junk work had to be removed. |  3.This time around, the Tacoma...  3.This time around, the Tacoma received a four-link. So after measuring out the bar lengths and the placement, the new tabs were built and welded into place. |
 4.Here's a good look at the...  4.Here's a good look at the new, solid Cool Cars four-link that was installed. |  5.Another essential part of...  5.Another essential part of gettin' low safely is a proper frame notch to allow the rearend to move up and down, unobstructed. |  6.Spacers were welded in between...  6.Spacers were welded in between the notch to keep it from bending before the sides were welded into place. |
 7.Here's a good look at both...  7.Here's a good look at both sides of the notch in place, and you can see how much more travel the rearend will have with the frame cut out. |  8.There are still cost effective...  8.There are still cost effective ways to build a truck properly. If cost is a major factor, and keeping the stock gas tank is important, then a wishbone upper link setup can still work. |  9.Upper tabs were built and...  9.Upper tabs were built and welded into place for the wishbone. |
 10.The stock gas tank was...  10.The stock gas tank was raised to clear the ground and a new mount was built. |  11.Here's a good look at the...  11.Here's a good look at the new Cool Cars link setup. Simple, effective, and inexpensive. |  12.The notch and the rest...  12.The notch and the rest of the frame was now supported and stabilized with this new bridge that will also house the CCE hydraulic cylinder. |
 13.Another trouble spot of...  13.Another trouble spot of getting the Tacoma low is the driveshaft |  14.So this tunnel was cut...  14.So this tunnel was cut out to allow for more clearance. |  15.The new CCE cylinder mounts...  15.The new CCE cylinder mounts sit off the back of the rearend for a better ride and plenty of lift. |
 16.The upper mounts were cut...  16.The upper mounts were cut and welded into place. |  17.After everything was coated...  17.After everything was coated with a rust protectant, the CCE hydro setup was installed. |  18.The new CCE battery and...  18.The new CCE battery and pump setup fits neatly under the bed cover and will provide smooth adjustability at the flick of a switch. |
 19.Even though it took a little...  19.Even though it took a little more work to get this Tacoma flat on the ground, due to the previous work that had to be redone, the end result of a professional install was well worth it! | | |