Toyota Tundra Drop

Arguably one of the toughest looking trucks on the market, the Toyota Tundra is a popular choice for truck enthusiasts and a target for restylers. Its muscular appeal, stunning performance, and creature comforts can’t be kept a secrete anymore. DJM Suspension corralled a Tundra long enough to design a 3/5 CALMAX drop kit, installed and tested it, and here is the story.

The front suspension design is a McPherson Strut type like Ford and Chevys latest platforms. The coil spring and shock absorber are integrated into one and can be removed as a unit. McPherson struts do not lend themselves to lowering with coil springs, loss of travel and ride quality issues inspired DJM to create another CALMAX CONTROL arm system for the Tundra. The arms give the Tundra a 3” drop without changing anything else. Remove and replace, couldn’t be simpler. Of course you can align the front end and use almost any wheel and tire combination you can find for a Tundra. We used the factory 20"wheels for this install without incident.

The rear is the basic truck leaf spring arrangement. DJM moved the axle from below the leaf spring to the top of the leaf. This actually lowered the rear more than the desired 5 inches and DJM designed a shackle package which will lift the rear to the proper ride height. This and the rest of the rear kit has dropped the rear a full 5” without a ride problems. You will need to run shorter shocks and DJM suggest their CALMAX SuperShox as the perfect choice for performance and ride quality.

Here is the step by step install.

2007 - 2009 Toyota Tundra 3/5 CALMAX Kit
Remove the tie rod end. Be careful not to damage the grease boot	Remove the strut bolt. Keep this bolt. You would need it to install the factory arm in the future
To help with removing the strut bolt try placing a small jack under the control arm. Use the jack to relieve the pressure on the bolt. Do not hammer on the threads.	The easiest way to remove the ball joint is to remove the casting mounted to the spindle. You will need to keep and use the ball joints in your new CALMAX Arms be careful not to damage the rubber boots
Using a press you can reomve the factory ball joint. We used tubing with the correct diameters to push the ball joint out. Being carefull here is important, if you don't have the right equipment take the parts to a shop.	Mark the stock alignment points to reset after installing the CALMAX Arm
Grease zerks need to be installed. The holes are tapped and ready.	On one side DJM installed a twin tube sleeve, and the other uses the factory alignment eccentric bolt. Use a grease gun and liberally apply grease.
Install the CALMAX Arms in the factory mounts and hand tighten. Line up the alignment marks and tighten	Install the strut and swaybar with the new bolts supplied.
Install the ball joint in the casting before mounting to the spindle. Here's a tip - use the thread lock compound on these bolts.	Remove the tie rod end and cut 1/4" off the end of the tie rod. Be careful not to damage the threads. This allows you more toe aligment and you can still return the truck to full stock.
Thread the tie rod end on all the way and install tie rod into the spindle. Later you can eyeball the toe close enough to drive to alignment shop.	The parts used to move the axle from below the leaf to its new position on top fo the leaf spring.
The DJM Shackles are much longer than the factory shackles, designed to lift the rear to the desired ride height after the flip.	With the rear of the truck properly supported with jack stands, support the rear end with a floor jack securely and remove the shock absorbers.
While the rear end is supported remove the leaf springs completely. Nows a good time to replace the factory shackles with your new DJM Shackles.	This brake line must be carefully repositionedand made secure.
You can see the brake line mount to modify	Using a cut off wheel does a good job of cutting the bracket from the mount.
After installing the springs with the axle on top, using the axle brackets, u-bolts, and spring plates, mount the brake line bracket as shown. Reverse the mount which was cut so it rests against the bolt (not the brake line) and secure with a nylon tie wrap.	The rear factory bump stops are used by installing the bracket supplied. You will probably want to trim the factory bump stops down to allow for more suspension travel.
The rear axle kit is installed, note we have not secured the brake line with a tie wrap, don't forget.	Please note: Control arms will interfere with factory 18" wheels. Using 20" wheels (both factory and aftermarket) will solve this issue!