McGaughy's engineers the first spindle drop system for the 2007 Toyota Tundra and a super clean sport truck in the process
Every time a new model truck is released, aftermarket companies who pride themselves on developing quality products usually find themselves in a scramble to be one of the first to market with a product that we know consumers will want. When Toyota began production of the all-new 2007 Tundra early in the year, most consumers had very few aftermarket products to choose from. While some products are easier than others to develop, suspension products that actually work usually take the longest to design and manufacture. Companies like McGaughys Suspension Parts who have become one of the leaders in aftermarket suspension components didn't hesitate to jump on the Tundra suspension development band wagon. Their goal was to accurately design and manufacture the first true 4-6 spindle drop system for the Tundra. Since spindle technology is their bread and butter, it was no surprise when consumers were introduced to the brand new kit at the 2007 SEMA Show.
The system was engineered on the 2007 Tundra Crew Max featured here. Mike and Steve decided the best way to be able to spend the time to design a true 4-6 drop system on a brand new strut suspension was to purchase a new truck. This provided the security of being able to engineer and test different component configurations until the right parts did the job while retaining correct geometry. While some of the components of the kit were rather easy to develop, others such as the dropped spindles were a much more tedious project. But the end result is the first dropped spindle for the 2007 Tundra which works in concert with a shorter coil spring to bring the front down four inches. A rear flip kit and frame notch accomplish the lowering of the rear.
Being custom truck enthusiasts like the rest of us, the McGaughys couldn't stop with just installing a lowering kit on their Tundra. There is no better way to show off a product than to do so with an image vehicle. The CrewMax was taken to the guys at Air Syndicate and Kal Koncepts to have the truck transformed visually into something unique. The job included ditching the emblems and trim items along with hand fabricating a steel roll pan which was molded to the rear bed rocker panels. A new, flat tailgate skin was rolled to fit while deleting the tailgate handle and identifiable factory tailgate skin indention. The handle was then flipped to the inside of the bed. A lockable SnugLid not only accommodates the smoother appearance but also adds security for the bed area, particularly with the tailgate handle flipped to the inside.
The factory white color was incorporated into the paint design. The top half retains the white color while the lower half was painted orange, a division that extends from the front bumper cap with a tribal-style edge back to the tail light. Breaking up the color combination is a series of dark silver tribal graphic stripes with a brushed texture that begin at the headlight and work their way at random down the sides and onto the tailgate. The tailgate graphic design is symmetrical and takes on the appearance of traditional hot rod pin striping highlights. Final touches to the Tundra body appearance was the installation of a Precision aluminum grille insert with matching bumper inserts along with the application of faint pearl orange skulls covering the bumper top cap and the dividing edge between the white and orange main body colors.
Of course one of the most important elements to making a truck like this stand out are the wheels and tires. As most Tundra owners can attest to, the selection of wheels for this model truck prior to SEMA was pretty scarce. But the McGaughys hooked up with MHT who had just engineered Tundra fitments for their Driv line of wheels. The choice ended up being a set of 24x9.5-inch chrome plated Tantrum wheels which were then strapped with 295/35 Continental rubber. While 24 inch wheels and tires are often too big for most lowered trucks, this size along with the 4-6 drop is perfect for the giant wheel well openings on the Tundra. The fitment of the wheels and tires in concert with the lowering system deletes most of the fender well gap.
Final touches to the truck before hitting the road to the SEMA show was to amplify individuality. Since machining parts is what McGaughys does best, it is no surprise to see both front and rear brake rotors have been machined to display the company name along the surface which double as cooling vents. Orange paint applied to the non-pad surface of the rotors ties the suspension into the exterior paint scheme.
The powerful 5.7-liter engine as well as the tan SR5 level interior hidden behind Monster Tint darkened windows has been left pretty much stock. The main reason is to not take the truck to a custom point that consumers are distracted from the original intent. That intent is to show enthusiasts how cool a Tundra can look with specific, mainstream modifying, and particularly to show off the all new 4-6 spindle lowering system.
McGAUGHYS SUSPENSION PARTS
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
2007 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 CREW MAX
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 |  Front end restyling is largely the responsibility of the Precision aluminum grille insert with matching inserts for the three bumper valance vents. |  |
 With no aftermarket pans or skins available at the time, McGaughys had Kal Koncepts bend up a custom steel rear roll pan which has been molded to the bed sides. A custom fabricated smooth tailgate skin replaced the contoured factory skin along with allowing for the flipping of the tailgate handle to the inside of the gate. |  The 4-6 drop kit brings the Tundra down to a very sporty level. The height seems perfect for the 24 inch MHT Driv Tantrum wheels wrapped with 295/35 Continental tires. |  The heart and soul of this truck was inspired through the development of the new 4-6 drop kit that McGaughys is the first to manufacture for the 2007 Tundra. The kit features a new lowering spindle and coil spring for the front along with a flip kit and frame notch for the rear. |
