I drilled the top ball joint taper out to accept a 3/4" hiem. Then I put the heim under instead of on top. It basically lowers the height of the pivot so the upper arm doesn't have an extreme angle. Then on the lower I spaced the ball joint and steering arm down roughly the same amount. The whole idea is to raise the height of the hub. It is the same principle as a drop spindle. As far as safe goes, the upper pivot is stronger than stock for sure. The spacers for the bottom aren't just a cut peice of tube and new longer bolts. If you take notice you will see that the extenders are machined to fit into the spindle and ball joint. In one of the pics you can see that the lower ball joint (in stock form) has a sleeve that fits into the spindle. I removed those sleeves and machined the extender to have the sleeve go into the spindle and the ball joint. That is where a lot of the strength will come from. So with the proper parts and bolts, i would say that is just as strong as stock, if not stronger.

So I take it the build is getting a fairly large wheel? Is all that actually cheaper than just buying a set of drop spindles, for the customer? I like the concept, I would rather have something built than buy the parts off the shelf, just asking questions. I like what you've done so far.

the wheels are 22's, 20's would probably fit also the way it is setup. The lower ball joint could be put back in the stock location on the lower arm and you could probably fit an 18.

They don't make a drop spindle for a tacoma.

more progress...

Got the core support and fenders on. I adjusted the cylinders to hold the truck up 1/4" because the tires were pushing the fenders out. The wheels will need to be milled down and then it should be fine. I also got the rear end done and painted.

Man, you clearly know what you're doing, work looks incredible.

I SEEN IT AT THE SEVERED IN THE WEST SHOW AT CASTLE AND COASTERS ON SUNDAY AND IT IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME WORK DONE WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH THAT.

Some pics from the ST show this weekend...

I am done with the tacoma for now. He is going to save up some more $$ so he can get the hydraulics going.
I am in PHX. North valley, around I17 and Happy Valley. Let me know when you are ready. Send me a msg on myspace.