pepehn
+1y
*** Please Read Bottom of Page before performing ANY work.****
Hey everyone.
There is alot of discreptencies in how our trucks should be lowered. I will leave lifting out of this because lift items are very hard to find. Theres many new topics every week on how to do this. I was thinking that we should get a write up put together on how to lower our trucks, the PROPER way, By way of tried and true methods. Im no expert in this department, mind you I've done it..But I am willing to do the write up if competant person(s) are willing to provide the information. This could be very helpful, and it will steer people in the right direction when altering suspension.
For the most part, we'll leave air bags out of this, Because everyone has their own idea about airbags, and their own way of installing them. It just wouldn't be feesible to include Airbags. I'm also leaving 5 lug conversions and things of that sort out, we should leave this to Bolt On parts for our trucks.
So here are the methods to static drop your truck. It will be finished as information is submitted to me:
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Methods - Front Suspension:
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[Spindles]
Supplier(s)/Cost :
Purpose/Prerequisites :
Alteration in Inches :
User Reviews :
How To, or Link:
[Control Arms]
Supplier(s)/Cost :
Purpose/Prerequisites :
Alteration in Inches :
User Reviews :
How To, or Link:
[Flipping Balljoints]
Supplier(s)/Cost : N/A. / N/A. Possible Costs may include replacing Balljoints if they are worn.
Purpose/Prerequisites : Provide better camber, Lower Truck.
Alteration in Inches : -.75" or so.
User Reviews :
How To, or Link: : Jack up truck, Put on Jack stands, Take Front Wheels off. Remove Brake Calipers and Hang with Mechanic's wire. (Don't Let them hang by the Brake hose.) You may have to Remove the Retaining Clip from the bottom side of the Upper Control Arm. Remove the Cotter Pins and Nuts from the Studs of the Ball Joints. With a Pickle Fork and a Hammer, seperate the spindle from the Upper and Lower Control Arms. (DO NOT STRIKE THE END OF THE BALLJOINT, YOU WILL MUSHROOM THE END AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE NUT BACK ON.) Hang the Spindle out of the way, and remove the Upper Balljoint from the underside of the Upper Control Arm with the stud still facing DOWN, Bolt it back in, using NO LESS THAN GRADE 8 BOLTS. Remove the Lower Ball Joint (You will see a little hump above the Balljoint). Once the Balljoint is removed, remove the hump on the Control Arm with a cutoff tool. Cut it Horizontally, NOT Vertically. This is so it sits flush with the Balljoint in. Once the Lip is removed, paint the bare metal to prevent rust. Bolt the Balljoint onto the topside of the Lower Control Arm with the stud still facing DOWN. Then, Re-Install the Spindle, Balljoint, Cotter Pins, and NO LESS THAN GRADE 8 BOLTS. Re-Install Brake Caliper, and Brake Line Retainer Clip. Re-Install Wheels, remove Jack-Stands, And Jack. Enjoy.
[Torsion Bar Alteration]
Supplier(s)/Cost : N/A. / N/A. Possible Costs may include replacing Torsion bolts if they are worn.
Purpose/Prerequisites : Allows for a Lower Stance, while keeping some of the Spring Tension on the Torsion Bars. This will give a better ride, and you will bottom out less as compared to just loosening the Torsion Bars.
Alteration in Inches : Varied. Can be up to a few Inches.
User Reviews :
How To, or Link: Loosen the bolts all the way, make a mark on the other end of the Bars where they hook into the Receiver on the Control Arms (sort of like you would on a Driveshaft & Tranny). Then you pull the bars out of the Receiver, and turn them like 2 Splines, making sure to do the other the same amount except opposite direction. I think it was clock wise on the driver side, and counter clockwise on the passanger side. you will have to take a Pipe Wrench and turn them with it to get the bolt started, then make sure you turn both bolts the same amount otherwise you'll have one side sitting higher than the other.
[Drop Shocks]
Supplier(s)/Cost :
Toxic Shock (StylinConcepts) $32.99/ea usd.
DJM Calmax (StylinConcepts) $39.99/ea usd.
Purpose/Prerequisites : If your vehicle's suspension is lowered, your stock shocks need to be replaced. Stock shocks allow only limited travel, and the lower you drop your vehicle the worse the problems get. Leaving stock shocks on your lowered vehicle results in poor handling, bone jarring ride, and limited shock life.
Alteration in Inches : 0.
User Reviews :
How To, or Link: (Let me know if there is a better source, and this will be Changed.)
Suspension Compatibility Notes:
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Methods - Rear Suspension:
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[Lowering Blocks]
Supplier(s)/Cost : Too Many./$30-40
Purpose/Prerequisites : They mount in-between the axle and the spring perch. This lifts the axle, So the suspension is lower.
Alteration in Inches : 1"-4" (Can be bigger by Stacking Blocks, Which, of course is dangerous and should never be done.) They can be bought slanted to improve Pinion Angle.
User Reviews :
How To, or Link: Jack up the rear of the truck on ONE side. Get 2 Jack Stands, place one at the front of the leaf spring, the other at the rear of the leaf spring. Put something strong, and solid under the tire as well just in case. Remove the Jack. WITH THE TRUCK NOW SUPPORTED BY 2 JACKSTANDS on ONE LEAF SPRING, unbolt the 2 U-Bolts on either side you have chosen. You should now be able to pull out the U-Bolts. Once this is done, Use your Jack to lift the truck's AXLE, on one side. Grab one Lowering Block, you will see that it is notched out on the BOTTOM side, and has a tab on the TOP side. If they have Pinion Angle Correction, Install the LARGER side at the back. Sandwich the block between the Spring Perch and Axle. Install New U-Bolts, and Hardware, Torque to Spec. Reposition Jack, and Lift so you can grab your Jack Stands out. Repeat Process on the other side, and Enjoy.
NEVER RE-USE U-BOLTS OR HARDWARE. Its 20 bucks tops from a Tractor Trailer Store. Don't Endanger someone else, or your own life because you didn't feel like spending money on a little bit of cheap insurance.
[De-arching/Removing Leaf Springs]
Supplier(s)/Cost : N/A. N/A. Buy a new centering bolt if needed.
Purpose/Prerequisites : Lift Spring perch/Lower Truck
Alteration in Inches : 0-2.5"
User Reviews :
How To, or Link: Follow the Same Directions to Install a Lowering Block in your truck, Hold top part of the Centering bolt with a Vice Grip, loosen the nut with a Ratchet. The leaf pack will come apart, Pull the desired leafs out, and Put a new centering bolt in. Keep in mind to KEEP THE MAIN AND OVERLOAD LEAFS, AS THEY GIVE THE SPRING PACK STRENGTH. If used with a block sized bigger than 2", a Frame Notch should be Installed to ensure the Axle will not hit the Frame. If taking out more than 2 Leafs, Air shocks should be used. This is not recommended, and much of the Strength will be gone.
[Manufactured Lowered Leaf Springs]
Supplier(s)/Cost : [Belltech]>>Stillen, $122.31
Purpose/Prerequisites : Lowering Leaf Springs drop the rear of your vehicle up to 3 1/2 inches while providing a smooth ride. These springs easily replace stock springs and come complete with OEM bushings and sleeves.
Alteration in Inches : -3.5"
User Reviews :
How To, or Link:
[Air Shocks]
Supplier(s)/Cost : Monroe $77.24/pr
Purpose/Prerequisites : To support a monoleaf / Aid in ride quality when lowered in rear
Alteration in Inches : Adjustable (20-150psi)
User Reviews :
How To, or Link:
[Frame Notch]
Supplier(s)/Cost :
Purpose/Prerequisites :
Alteration in Inches :
User Reviews :
How To, or Link:
Suspension Compatibility Notes:
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Methods - Other Suspension/Wheel Bits.:
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Wheels:
The 1986-1993 Mazda B2000,B2200,B2600 All share the same Wheel Bolt Pattern of 6x139.7 or 6x5.5 (Standard/Metric). This means you can take other Wheels, from vehicles that share the 6x139.7/6x5.5 pattern. Some of these rims have smaller center hub holes than our Mazdas do, So they must go to a Machine Shop to be bored out to 3.7 Inches/9.4 Centimetres. If you don't feel like taking the wheels to the Machine Shop, you can grind your Tabs down on your Hubs. This is the size measured from a Stock Mazda 14" wheel by way of a Manual Vernier Outside Caliper.
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Thanks go out to:
NYTRDR24 , For Providing Information on Re-Indexing Torsion Bars. HIS advice was found in this thread:
lowblownmazda , For Providing HIS information contained in his Balljoint Flip removal thread. The thread, and pictures can be found here:
Pepehn , For Providing Information on Wheels, Lowering Blocks.
slammedyota91 , For Providing HIS information on Pulling Leafs out of the Pack, as well as 1HotDawg , for also sharing information on Pulling Leafs out of the Pack:
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Please Submit Information to me by way of PM or Posting in this Topic, and we will complete this write-up. If any information is inaccurate or not correct, please let me know, none of us are perfect.
****Neither myself, any contributing users, nor are responsible for any work done on your vehicle, or the methods of safety you use. These are suggestions and we are not responsible for poor workmanship.****