7. |  8. The final step before installing...  8. The final step before installing the arms on the truck, is to thread the zerk fittings into the arms. |  9. Reinstalling the control...  9. Reinstalling the control arms is just the opposite of tear down. The alignment cam bolts are reinstalled but not tightened and the strut is bolted in. Then Cody installed the upper control arm and tightened the bolts down. We left the bottom arm bolts loose so after the wheels were back on the truck we could adjust the alignment to get it close enough to make a test drive and not destroy the tires. |
 10. Next comes the lower part...  10. Next comes the lower part of the spindle. It's attached to the ball joint and secured, then the top half can be bolted to the lower portion of the spindle and torqued down to factory specs. |  11. Finishing off the front...  11. Finishing off the front end, Cody reinstalled the tie rod, sway bar, rotor, brake caliper, and the wheel sensor. All castle nuts received new cotter pins, except the castle nut on the top control arm; it is a special cotter pin that could be reused. |  12. Cody started off by supporting...  12. Cody started off by supporting the rearend under the axle tubes, and also under the driveshaft, keeping the axle from rolling forward. Then he removed the rear shocks. |
 13. Next, Cody removed the...  13. Next, Cody removed the factory U-bolts. These will not be used again as DJM has supplied longer ones in the kit. |  14. Once the rearend is free...  14. Once the rearend is free from the leaf spring, the angled 4-inch lowering blocks were placed in between the leaf spring and the axle. |  15. There is a pin on the...  15. There is a pin on the top of the leaf spring pack, and one on the top of the lowering block. These pins are used to keep the rearend from sliding back and forth on the leaf spring, once in the proper location tighten the U-bolts. |
 16. Finally, the replacement...  16. Finally, the replacement shocks that come with the kit are installed. Even though the mounting point is in the same location and the stock shocks will still fit it is recommended to change them out. These shocks have been valved specifically for a lowered application. |  **Special note: the DJM kit...  **Special note: the DJM kit comes with a C-notch that we opted not to install. If we were planning to use the bed to haul heavy loads we would install the C-notch for the extra clearance to keep the axle from hitting the bottom of the frame. | |
The Tech Lowdown
Parts Used: DJM Suspension 3-inch front /4-inch rear Toyota Tacoma lowering kit
Parts' Cost: $659.96
Company: Stylintrucks
Contact Info: (800) 586-9713, stylintrucks.com
Installation: Devious Customs
Contact info:(909) 947-1800, deviouscustoms.com
Approximate Installation Time: 5-1/2 hours
Skills required: General mechanics
Difficulty Level: 3 of 5
Tools used: Intermediate mechanics tools, impact gun, shop press