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1995-2006 Toyota Suspension Kits - "Towering" Toyotas

Mild Lifting For Late-Model Toys

Photography by Andrew Schear

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This kit is an easy and affordable way to give Toyotas a boost. The Phantom Gray Pearl '03 Tundra 4x4 shown here at Pismo was one of thousands of similar-looking Toyotas running around Southern California. Now it stands about 10-percent taller than most and still functions as a daily driver.

Many Toyota owners find the factory ride a bit spongy. This kit stiffens the ride somewhat-particularly at speed-since the front coilovers are slightly compressed to a more progressive stage. Also, the larger tires make the speedo read slower than actual road speed. Superlift's optional TruSpeed unit recalibrates the factory speed-signal pulse to correct the speedometer reading and auto-trans shift points. The four-wire installation gets power from a key-on fuse, ground to the chassis and corrects the speed signal at the blue/yellow wire at the speed sensor plug on the transmission or transfer case.

Overall, this is an economical way for late-model Toyotas to experience about a 10-percent growth spurt. Much of the job can likely be handled by mechanically competent do-it-yourselfers with the possible exception of the strut modifications. Installation highlights are covered in the accompanying photos and captions.

  • 10. With the strut compressed and its shaft lined up with the top plate, the top nut can be torqued to spec.
    10. With the strut compressed and its shaft lined up with the top plate, the top nut can b
  • 11. Here's the stock strut assembly (left) compared to a Superlift-spaced version (right).
  • 12. Position the kit's index ring over the studs. Then line up the studs with the tower holes to reinstall the spaced-out struts into the vehicle. Reattach the sway bar to its links.
    12. Position the kit's index ring over the studs. Then line up the studs with the tower ho
  • 13. To install the rear blocks, begin by unbolting the U-bolts.
  • 14. Disconnect the shocks at the axle. The optional Superlift Superide rear shocks are direct replacements for the stock units. Use a jack to slowly lower the axle, taking care not to overextend the brake lines and vent hoses.
    14. Disconnect the shocks at the axle. The optional Superlift Superide rear shocks are dir
  • 15. Inspect the spring perches. They sometimes collapse or warp, particularly toward the rear. If the perches aren't perfectly flat, the kit's tapered blocks won't seat properly. Replace or reinforce the perches by welding on 1/4-inch-thick plate if necessary.
    15. Inspect the spring perches. They sometimes collapse or warp, particularly toward the r
  • 16. Insert the Superlift blocks between the axle and springs, making sure that they're seated in the spring packs' pins. Mate the springs to the axle with the kit's U-bolts.
    16. Insert the Superlift blocks between the axle and springs, making sure that they're sea
  • 17. A rear brake-proportioning extension bracket is included in the kit. Finish the suspension install with the kit's e-brake extension bracket.
    17. A rear brake-proportioning extension bracket is included in the kit. Finish the suspen
  • 18. In addition to assembling the struts, Randy's Tire also mounted and balanced 285/75R16 all-terrains (32.8-inch overall tire diameter) on the stock wheels to replace the OE LT255/70R16 (about 29.25-inch-tall) rubber.
    18. In addition to assembling the struts, Randy's Tire also mounted and balanced 285/75R16

19. The optional TruSpeed speed recalibrator connects with four wires and allows the speed-signal pulse to be dialed in within 1 percent accuracy by following the included instructions.








SOURCES
Randy's Tires Superlift Suspension Systems
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