How To Do A Ball Joint Flip (by SD Yota)

Discussion in 'Suspension/Chassis' started by SD YOTA, Mar 22, 2010.

  1. Gr8KornHolio

    Gr8KornHolio Veteran

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Messages:
    327
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Truck:
    85 regular cab longbed 22R
    Got my B/J flipped this weekend. To avoid the whole control arm swing/torsion bar problem I loosened up the torsion bars. Needed to do this anyway to fix my uneven problem. As a precaution, I still put a floor jack under the arm.

    This time I got smart and got a 1/2" socket adapter for my drill to rotate the 22mm bolt. Wouldn't get it started or tighten it all the way, but made short work of the majority of it.

    I went ahead and flipped the uppers too, since it's only 4 bolts. I've read on here that it helps/does nothing, but I figure why not and keep the distance between the upper arm and lower arm as close to the same as possible.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Lowngbed

    Lowngbed Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2014
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma WA
    Truck:
    84 single cab long bed
    I'm sorry if this has already been said. I read through and didn't see it but....

    What is the drop with no washers used? Is it minor? I just added a sway and brand new gas charged
    Shocks and I think it lifted the front a touch. It's quite minor but enough to bug me as I always shoot for the perfect stance. I could loosen the torsions a bit more but would rather not if this mod without spacers only drops .5" or less. Any thoughts?
     
  3. 1lowSr5

    1lowSr5 Addict

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2012
    Messages:
    820
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    In the garage
    Truck:
    90' xtra cab Sr5, 2003 taco
    For some reason almost every truck is different, mine I got about a 1/2 inch.
     
  4. Lowngbed

    Lowngbed Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2014
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma WA
    Truck:
    84 single cab long bed
    Oh very nice. I'll have to give it a shot. If it's too much I can just tighten the bars up. That would be just fine with me!
     
  5. SD YOTA

    SD YOTA Grand Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,585
    Likes Received:
    29
    Location:
    san diego
    Truck:
    2000 Toyota Tacoma 2wd
    its different with every truck... some get between 1/2" to 1" if i use spacers. it really depends on the suspension age and as i said if you use a thick steel spacer and how thick of one. as stated though. every little bit helps.
     
  6. Gr8KornHolio

    Gr8KornHolio Veteran

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Messages:
    327
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Truck:
    85 regular cab longbed 22R
    I didn't do a pre and post measurement so not terribly sure how much I got. I did take the washers out before I put the spindle on.

    Wish I hadn't thrown out my old balljoints when I replaced them. They would have made an awesome space if you cut the balljoint off and just kept the plate. Think it'd work best if you used a space on the lower and upper.
     
  7. Lowngbed

    Lowngbed Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2014
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma WA
    Truck:
    84 single cab long bed
    So can this be done without spacers? @SD YOTA cause I want a very small drop to get my
    Stance back just right.
     
  8. Gr8KornHolio

    Gr8KornHolio Veteran

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Messages:
    327
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Truck:
    85 regular cab longbed 22R
    Yes it can, the spacers are not required. They are only used to get additional drop. Mine is currently done without the spacers.
     
  9. SD YOTA

    SD YOTA Grand Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,585
    Likes Received:
    29
    Location:
    san diego
    Truck:
    2000 Toyota Tacoma 2wd
    yes it can. minimal gain ive seen has been just under 3/4". most gain ive used with spacers has been 1.5"
     
  10. LilRed93

    LilRed93 Addict

    Joined:
    May 5, 2013
    Messages:
    638
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Spanish Fork, UT
    Truck:
    1993 Pickup
    So after reading this thread I am going to flip my bj's. But.... I already have 3" blocks for the rear, so with the 1" 1/2 that I may possibly get will my truck sit level or will the rear sit lower than the front?
     
  11. LilRed93

    LilRed93 Addict

    Joined:
    May 5, 2013
    Messages:
    638
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Spanish Fork, UT
    Truck:
    1993 Pickup
    I also didn't use spacers but I think I'm going to go back and put some in. I did top and bottom. I noticed a difference in handling. Only 1" of drop but I think it did a lot. Still need to install my blocks.:waytogo:
     
  12. Lowngbed

    Lowngbed Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2014
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Tacoma WA
    Truck:
    84 single cab long bed
    On a odd note I did BJ flip my truck and used single 12mm washers that were maybe .125" thick.

    I maybe only got .25-.35" drop! Way less then advertised.

    About a week after I loosened up my upper and lower control arms and jounced my suspension to neutralize the bushings drop which dropped it another .25"!

    I also noticed a great increase in handling both on bumps and cornering. I typically neutralize my suspension after height mods. It increases bushing life too.
     
  13. fred.d.k

    fred.d.k Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2016
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    41
    Location:
    Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada
    Any chance of updating the pics on the original post? Thanks
     
  14. dunkin

    dunkin Newbie

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2017
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0

    i can't load the images ! i subscribed to image shack and still no luck ! i'm highly interested in doing this to my truck
     
  15. Heikki-B

    Heikki-B Newbie

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2017
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    4

    Same here..
     
  16. Justin Danger

    Justin Danger Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2016
    Messages:
    1,102
    Likes Received:
    365
    Location:
    Bay Area Peninsula
    Truck:
    1986 Toyota Xtra cab SR5 Turbo 22rte
    check out the build threads, I can't remember which ones, but a few others have full documentation of this being done.
     
  17. Heikki-B

    Heikki-B Newbie

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2017
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    4
    Yea, thanks, found it from somewhere else, not really that diffficult:)
     
  18. dunkin

    dunkin Newbie

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2017
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    can you send me a link to the one that you found with pics please
     
  19. Heikki-B

    Heikki-B Newbie

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2017
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    4
  20. Heikki-B

    Heikki-B Newbie

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2017
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    4
    I think the idea is pretty much the same with later models too
     

Share This Page