Toyota 4X4 long travel

[Moose33GMC]

I am looking at the long travel kit for the 2005 tocoma, but i don't know which level to go with, I do some light to med. desert driving or trail driving in big bear, over time i would like to build it up to possibley an off road truck only(but that would be a few years away). My question is if I went with the set that comes with the new upper arms would i later be able to go and get the lower arms or would i be starting over? Or if i went with the basic long travel kit would i be able to later add the second by-pass shock or again would i have to start over? Also can you add some hydro bumps t othis kit?

[usmcgunrock]

I going to guess you are talking about the Total Chaos kit. It is extended like 3.5"? So the uniball lift upper arm (not extended) can not be combined with the long travel lower arm (extended). There are two routes to go with your truck. One is a mid travel kit and the other would be a long travel kit. This is how I would do it.

Mid travel
-Donahoe coil overs http://www.donahoeracing.com/prod_detail.php?productID=21
-Donahoe upper arms http://www.donahoeracing.com/access_detail.php?accessID=40
-Donahoe rear shocks http://www.donahoeracing.com/access_detail.php?accessID=28
-Deaver rear leaf pack


Long Travel
-Total Chaos LT kit http://www.chaosfab.com/86000.html
-Deaver leaf pack or linked with coil overs hidden in a tool box.


I use to have a 05 Tacoma TRD prerunner. This is what I was going to do but with a baby on the way we needed to get a car. So out with the Tacoma and in with the WRX wagon.

[DRIVE Jon]

I agree with the suggestions. I say go with Total Chaos. You want the 12" of travel with the TC kit. I went the "mid travel" route, and it was an improvement, but I would still constantly bottom the suspension. Now I am going with a 12" travel 4X setup.

Camburg makes a nice "Long-Travel' setup as well. Slight improvement over the TC by using spherical bushings in the LCA inner pivots. This is best when you are really pushing the limits of the system. Not needed for light to moderate use.

[Moose33GMC]

Duh, I never did say the kit i am looking at is the camburg

[TXtacokid]

I read on TTORA that only one or two Camburg kits have been installed. They may have discontinued them. Others were trying to get them, but didnt want to wait or whatever and just went with the TC kit.

[miguelitro]

as of now, only TC has a kit...

[DRIVE Jon]

I did not know Camburg had a hold on the kit. It is still advertized on their website.

Look at Downey off-road. http://www.downeyoff-road.com/SuspensionComponents/1995-04_Tacoma.html

They have a new 2" over kit for the 95-04 Tacomas...don't know if it is for sale yet. It pulls 11.5" and uses factory (probably modified) ball-joints. The kit includes 930 inner CVs and the required adapter. This would probably be a great kit for the moderate off-roader...as it will be relatively maintenance free with sealed coil-overs and lubriccated ball-joints(if you don't jack-it up too much and tear the boots!) Toyota ball-joints are very strong! You will just as likley break something else before they break. Quoted as under $3000 including axles and inner CVs.

Looks like they steal the ball-joint perch form stock Tacoma lowers....I thought about doing that!...but was too lazy to grind off the rivets:p

If you are only looking to do moderate desert stuff, 35-45mph and below, and trail stuff the rest of the time, a "mid-travel" set-up is probably just as good. It will be nice to keep the front track narrow for the trails. Donahoe has made a pretty good name for this setup. They sell arms and the Tacoma specific coil-overs.

No mid-travel arms will work with a long-travel setup. You will have to sell your mid and buy a whole new system if you plan to upgrade later...amybe the mid is enough, and you save $1K or so?