Suspension Upgrades - No lift wanted

I've been unhappy for some time with the stock suspension on my 2003 Tacoma, 2WD Crew Cab. I replaced the shocks with Bilstein 5100's and the front springs with Old Man Emu which gave the truck a little lift in the front. Now the rear is slightly lower on the stock springs, and I was just about to install the "Add-A-Leaf" to level it all out.

I see lots of posts about adding lift, but I really don't want the lift, I like the stock suspension height, but hated the soft and spongy ride. I really don't like the new Bilsteins 5100 either. I think they are too soft and bouncy, even with the new Old Man Emu springs. It kinda rides like a marshmallow - so much that I thought something was wrong with the shocks.

I had Rough Country shocks installed before the Bilsteins and they were very "rough" so I guess I'm looking for something with a better ride, but not spongy.

Wanted to know if any one could suggest a good front coil and shock upgrade that will not add lift, and allows me to use the stock rear springs. Truck is Supercharged and 2wd, so I guess looking for a sportier suspension set up for on-road use. I mostly just drive around town, and rarely have a heavier load than my CR250 in the back.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Old Man EMU are "lift" springs so you added lift to the front and your only solution is pull them off and replace with stock height leafs or add the same Old Man EMU "lift" springs to the rear to get the correct stance for your truck, its really just that simple.

 

I'm in the somewhat of the same boat. I haven't attempted to upgrade my suspension at any point, so i'm still riding on my original factory setup and it's starting to show after 12 years. I was wanting a 3 inch lift but i'm starting to lean towards none to just some lift, just not drastic. I'm interested in people's responses also.

 

Get some fox or king shocks for the rear that you can revalve to your liking and some quality coilovers up front.

That way you can have the height you want and the soft/firmness you want.

And since they are re valve able and rebuildable they should last the life of the truck unlike typical gas shocks.

 

have you thought of maybe Icons? they are for a 0- 3 inch lift so you can crank them down to stock height on the truck probaably a lot better than Old man EMU you van buy just front coils for pretty cheap since you wont need UCAs at stock height might be what your looking for
Also Kings and Fox are good options too

 

I just asked this very question to a couple of suppliers. I will advise if I learn anything??

I love this creampuff 2002 TRD I found but you hit any washboards at all and it's literally all over the road, have to dodge some road debris and the body dive/roll is really extreme for even a pickup.

Went from the stock 16s and "the original from 2001" 265/75 BFGs to 18s with 255/60 Nitto Terras and that has helped but it's mostly suspension.

 

for a stock ride...
replace suspension components with the oem original parts.

for aftermarket upgrade at the lowest cost...
and nearest to the stock ride, but slightly firmer...

Bilstein 5100 adjustable COs up front (lowest setting of 3)
and 5100's out back.

Just helped a friend install these on his 4runner last week.
He wanted the stock ride height.
And when finished... looks purdy close to stock IMO

After compressing the C spring for removal off the original CO's
The Bilstein's adjustables can be assembled at their lowest setting
without requiring further C spring compression.
So the Bilstein 5100 adjustable CO's final assembly can be easily
done with with simple hand tools prior to installation.

Replace your worn leaf springs with Wheelers Off Road
oem replacement springs.

Wheeler's Off Road will help it's customer
choose what is best for their needs/wants.

Rear Tacoma 5100's extend only about an inch more
then the factory original and are also unequal in lengths. (factory R/L)
They will work good if wanting a near factory ride height/ride.

-------------------------

I needed a little more lift for my junk...

so I run higher end ICON 2.5 CO's
and Bilstein 5125's out back.
I also run custom Deaver built 9lf springs out back.
But I'm sitting near abouts a 2.5" suspension lift rolling 295/16 tires

the 5125s offer more extension. (3" for lifted trucks)
But usually require that the proper bushing be inserted (3/4")
Wheeler's will include these when asked.
The 5125's also have two different part #s (right/left - unequal lengths).
Wheeler's Off Road offers these sold as pairs.

 

I was thinking of going with Icon also. I heard they are a better ride on the road than most. That's what I'm looking for. I'm not an off roader but want to have the clearance if I need it.

 

Toytec responded with Icon coil overs up front with just a swap to Icon shocks in back.

58610 Coil Overs
56501/502 Shocks

But this is ~ $1500 system too . . .

OMG responded with "call us" but I didn't have time today . . .

Think I just may go with the Toytec Bilstein coil over kit and Bilstein rears though to save some bucks ~ $1000

TT-AFCS-600 Coil Overs
RSBIL-R Rears

 

Bilstien ride like shit compared to a quality higher end coilover and remote resi rear shock.

if you like the soft spongy feel of stock then go for it.

 

Nope, that's what I am trying to fix . . .

Good to know.

 

Bilsteins are a much stiffer ride that stock, I never rode shit before so I cannot say what that rides like

 

Toytec responded with "you're probably not going to be happy with the Bilstein kit as they do ride more like stock". Bearing in mind it was the particular one I wrote above. Perhaps different Bilsteins than what's in the Toytec kit would have better results? They still recommend the $1500 ICON setup.

Still waiting to hear what's wrong with OME? They have a coil-over setup that's about $1K.

 

Icon Stage 1 kit with coilovers dialed down to stock height.
You wont regret it...

 

Subscribed

 

how much? did you get AAL or a new pack for the rear?

 

Stage 1 doesn't come with leafs, just rear shocks. The stage 2 comes with the 3 leaf AAL. Thats the setup I have, but for the OP he doesn't want lift so no AAL.

 

I'm not planning to go with AAL either but I desperately need to replace the pack in the rear. will i able to avoid some lift in the back if i replace the whole pack?

 

Sure, Wheelers Off-road offers a stock height leaf pack. I believe it's made by Alcan. Here's the link... Also, I've heard of guys getting new packs from General Spring. They're cheap but idk about the quality. Here's a link for them...
http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Toyota_Tacoma_2001_2002_2003_2004_s/1932.htm

Both of these are stock height setups. Though If your factory leaf pack is wasted, it may be sagging. So you could see a slight amount of lift with new leafs, but no more than the original height.

 

a slight lift is fine. I just don't want a drastic difference between the front and rear. but if the icons are adjustable, that'd be perfect.