Assistance for Aftermarket Choice

Hello!

I've been searching so much to try and find the answers to all my questions, but I've come up short on answers.

I figured that it might be possible to make a new thread and before it gets deleted due to the repetitiveness of these, it might be answered.

Without further ado, lets get to it. I'm in search of about 1.75" of lift for my front end to level out the truck. I've researched King, ICON, Fox, Sway-A-Way, OME, Radflo, Bilstein, and Toytec for all my options. I understand the difference between progressive and digressive valving. Here are the requirements and circumstances:

Towing: Never.
Off-roading: Never. (With exception of dirt/snow/water on the path.)
Racing: Never.
Front Plated Bumper: Never.
Highway/City Driving: 95%/5%
Lift: 1.5-2.75" (I understand most Coil-overs offer this)
Beat the truck to death?: Hardly. I baby her.


I'm interested in the Bilstein 5100 Coil-overs offered by TRDParts4U.com and Toyteclifts.com. They seem to be a decent price with adjust-ability.

If the Kings or ICONs are a better choice for me for just tossing a few extra Benjamins, I'd be glad to do so. I'm interested in the best ride without the need to rebuild the shock. So what do you think TW?

Is there any real difference in the ride with spacers equipped of different compositions? Also, I know I could Google this, but is there a real difference in the Sport and Off-road tuned shocks that is noticeable?

 

I am in the same situation as you. I have been looking at these : http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-1...stein-5100-series-ride-height-adjustable.html

And these: http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-4764011-icon-toyota-tacoma-05-up-rear-add-a-leaf-kit.html

 

Have you thought about just getting a leveling kit? Lots of companies make poly spacers for the front end to level trucks out. So then you retain your exact stock ride quality. I've heard that it can even smooth the ride a little bit, because the spacers absorb some of the shock, i'm guessing the same way the motor mounts do.
I know you're looking at new coilovers, but if your driving habits aren't promiscuous then i think it's overkill. It's the difference between $130 for a leveling kit and $600+ for the other.

 

your driving habits are similar to mine. after mucho research here, selected the toytec ULK. very happy with it...............

 

always heard nothing but good things from icon, so i chose them

 

I'm more interested in a ready to install package. I just don't want to put that much time into it.

I like to keep the adjust-ability. I'm trying to stay away from spacers as much as possible, but if it presents itself the best route for convenience and cost... I may go with them. I know I can probably find this in a search, but do they cause considerably more strain on suspension components? Will I have to replace something sooner rather than just running a coil-over?

Those Toytec coil-overs are that nice eh? May consider them considering your habits are similar to mine....

Same thing I keep hearing....

 

Voted billies as they are a cheap good way to level your truck

 

umm...No towing and no offroading, I personally really couldn't justify dropping the money on coilovers. They will cause strain if you use the truck offroad. Normal driving conditions won't have a negative impact on suspension component longevity. Leveling kits are designed to balance the truck visually while retaining stock handling characteristics. Not all coilovers are noisy and rough, but they won't ride like stock. If you're not going to utilize the advantages that coilovers provide, put that $400+ in savings towards some wheels or w/e else strikes your fancy. If you want the new coil setup because you want it, then go for it.

 

With what u r doing, billy 5100 adjustables will do. My bro has them with 500lb x 14" eibach coils on his runner and they ride like a Cadillac. Turns suck though.

 

I had Radflos on my Nissan Titan that I traded in and I thoroughly enjoyed the quality of ride over stock. I was scared of the 6" spacers that looked like towers ready to crumble regardless of how strong the technicalities were.

If I put any money into this truck, it will be for Coil-overs, 265/75s, and electrical add-ons. I have no desire to modify anything else mechanical on the truck. Thanks for the opinion though!

My thoughts exactly.

Turns suck? Does the truck lean too much around corners?

 

Without the sway bar it leans like crazy. You have to have the sway bar on

 

A set of 5100's with the fronts set at 1.75"- that is all you need- it will level out the truck, offer a nice ride, align just fine, and you typically will not have any "lift issues" with this set up. Done

 

Ah... I took the sway bar off of my Nissan Titan when I added some lift. I kinda liked it a little more. I won't be removing my sway bar on this truck.

Thanks for the input. This is how I feel.

 

Bumpity.

Just discovered the cost of my education this semester... Spacers are starting to seem the way to go, only if they are aluminum of course. Is there any real difference in the ride with spacers equipped of different compositions? Also, I know I could Google this, but is there a real difference in the Sport and Off-road tuned shocks that is noticeable? I'll put the link/information in the first post if someone puts it down. Thanks!

 

There is no difference that i know of in the suspension of trd off road and sport. Make sure u get top plate spacers. and there is no difference in spacers. Rubber are better at absorbing road noise.

 

The springs are different.

 

I say just get billies because of what you use the truck for. If you were going to do offroading then I'd say Icon (I have them and LOVE them) but for your needs 5100's are plenty.

 

if price is a issue, get the 5100's, only 300 bucks from DSM

 

Rubber I presumed to be better, but I'm looking for something that will not corrode as easily, thus my aluminum choice. I remember reading the Lift Sticky and saw that the top plate spacer was definitely the correct choice, thanks for reconfirming it.

I thought only the valving was different. Now to get a set of slightly used TRD Sport Coil-overs, I could get the spacers on and swap them out. Thanks for the info.

I was thinking the same.

I don't wish to put money into the spring compression procedure due to the fact that I don't have enough time to perform the work myself, let alone educate myself on how to execute the procedure. Exactly my reason for getting some take-off Sport Coil-overs for spacers.

I knew somehow I was going to contradict myself within this thread.