Firestone Ride Rite ?? Plus bilstein5100

So for my 2014 dcsb trd sport I recently installed a leer bed cap and I noticed the rear is sagging a good bit (reverse rake to the front basically). Then also on top of that while pulling a trailer with just a jon boat it sags just a bit more but the ride quality does not change that I can notice.

I have a Complete Stock truck

I have searched, was told, and very interested in the Firestone Ride Rite air bag set up that it would fix the sag and help my towing and loading... I read through a good bit of the threads already and found most of the info I need but have few minor questions.

So my question are, while I'm installing the ride rite I would like to install the bilstein 5100 shocked up front to give it a small lift nothing crazy probably 2.5in-3 or so lift. With the bilstein up front the rear I could simply run just the ride rite NO add a lea or block needed correct? to get my level or little rake for the rear? Also there is no need for a diff drop correct for my future set up? Or would it be a plus to have the diff drop? If so I would just get the kit to do it properly.

Here's a quick pic, everyone likes pictures



Thanks you all !!!

 

Hey Sorry guys please move this thread Wrong section!!

Thanks

 

I do not recommend that you use your Ride Rite air bags as a rear "lift". I have them along with front 5100"s set at 1.75" and TSB rear springs. The Ride Rite air bags are great for supporting additional weight such as a trailer but will be very stiff without a load. Get yourself an add-a-leaf for rear lift, use the air bags as intended.

 

Thanks for the quick respond. Just adding a leaf in the rear, with no load in the bed... Do you notice any difference in ride quality?

I was thinking with my small lift I could also settle with a 1in block in the rear to keep the oem ride quality in rear. Yeah yeah guys hate blocks but I think 1in will no affect much sense I so not wheel much..

 

In my opinion the factory springs are TOO soft and need the extra leaf. If you like the way they ride then a 1" block might be OK but also keep in mind that your truck new (just assuming since you said 2014) and your springs might not be broken in yet. After a couple of years and a couple of heavy loads mine got considerably softer.

You might PM a mod about having the thread moved.

 

I have a Deaver 1.5" AAL on my '14 TRD OR and there's negligible if any ride quality difference. 95% of what I do is commuting and it's very comfortable and civilized on the road. When hauling it helps greatly.

 

Nice thanks both for input. Glad I posted up about this.

I do agree the factory suspension is on the softer side. I have just about 2,000 miles on the truck so yea probably need much more time to break in everything.

What about the diff drop kit? Any information on that if needed for a A small lift I'm doing?

 

I'd say you have no need for the differential drop. I'm running right at 3" lift and have no need for it. Typically you'll see the diff drop for 4"+ lifts. With the 2ish inches of lift on my truck, the CV angle is still acceptable. Someone like 357Sig who is running 6" absolutely needs it.

 

Negative on the drop bracket.
Negative on the air bag lift

stock leaf springs are very soft. And was not ment to carry weight. All you would need is an add a leaf. That will help with the sag. And you already have everything right for the front lift

 

I am leaning towards adding a leaf and see how everything rolls also with the bilstein fronts. If anything I can add the bags in the future. Iv seen the most common add a lead if from Toytec correct?

I do have 4 leaf springs pics below.

 

Yeah an aal should be all you need. But you said you wanted front 2.5''-3" higher so if you plan on setting the 5100's to 1.75 or 2.5 then you might need to add a 1" block if you want the rear level or slightly raked.
Is your truck 4x4? If not you cant use a diff drop (only for 4x4). Plus if its not 4x4 you might consider looking at maxtracs 4" spindles. It will raise your front up and keep the stock geometry so you wont have any alignment problems etc. Check out the maxtrac thread on here, its got some great info!! Good luck man!

 

Yes my truck is a 4x4

Thanks for the info, I don't want to spend a fortune nor get a huge lift just a little to stand out from others. I will look into that company though.

 

Sounds like an AAL is the perfect solution..... here's a picture of my truck with that 1.5" AAL I mentioned. 285/70/17 if you're wondering.

 

Oh ok, if its 4x4 then the Maxtracs wont work. Those are only for 2wd. You might also consider just getting a leveling kit (small spacer that goes on top of front shocks), but they make it ride a little harsh especially when you hit a pothole. The 5100's and aal (and possibly small block) should be perfect for what your looking for.

 

Yea I want to stay alway from spacers Iv read about them and a buddy had them on his truck. The ride quality was junked.

Leaning towards the 5100 up fronts and the rear add a leaf maybe a 1in block after if I'm not satisfied. Then later the ride rite if I feel it would help with my towing if needed.

 

Thanks for the picture! Very similar to what I'm looking for. I will be sticking to stock wheel set up for now sense I daily drive my truck. I do tow and drive on the beach here and there. I just want a alittle height and more truck aggressive look.

I just hope the mod bug does not kick in and I start buying all kinds of mods and changing up the suspension again after!

What's is your front set up in the picture?

 

I'm running 3/4" "top hat" spacers on the factory Bilstein suspension. I daily drive mine and didn't notice any difference other than height. Basically hre leveling kit mentioned by Ricks plus AAL. It's the same dampening and everything else. I'm sure someone will chime in disagreeing with me, but I've put 17,000+ miles (13,600 lifted) on my truck in 6 month with no complaints. I did a 3,500 mile road trip with my wife and she said it was comfortable the entire time. I have a grand total of $92 invested (installed myself) in my lift and have zero complaints. Here's some up close pics.

PS..... once you start, the mod bug is inevitable. Don't fight it...

 

Yeah your in for it man. That truck and this site is an addiction and will suck you in quick. Hahah kidding. Not really.

 

There... fixed. Simple math:
Tacoma + TW + first mod = unhappy wallet for foreseeable future.

 

Rick your truck and lift is defiantly bad ass looking but just to high and I'm sure much more expensive then what I am willing to spend.

I'm planing on purchasing the parts in a month or two so I will defiantly update to help others out also and contribute to the forum.

Thanks all and MORE input from other Minds about my wanted lift set up would be greatly appreciated!