Build Guidance-First Steps Suspension

Hi, been sorting through the TONs and TONs on suspension info and just want to maybe clarify what I want. My Tacoma is a 2015 TRD OR DCSB and is my daily driver that is occasionally driven by my wife and 16 year old daughter. Because of that, I want to maintain good road manners. I do not plan on rock crawling, but do plan on taking it on some off road camping trips-Longer trips like Washington Back Country Discovery Route or Heart of the West. Both I have done on bigger adventure bikes and smaller dual sport bikes. To me, it seems being able to smoothly handle dirt roads with some pot holes with the occasional rutted sections is more important than rock crawling. Maybe able to maintain a decent speed without having to slow to 5-10MPH or destroying things at higher speed. Not having experience with 4x4's, I am not sure what "higher speed" would be, but I am thinking 35 or so? Some of you would know better than me what that is. Certainly not pre-running at 80MPH. Just enough to comfortable cruise along and handle the dirt roads I might be on.

I have not really had a chance to take my truck out to see how it does in stock form. Maybe it is ok? I am currently down for a few weeks recovering from facial surgery so I figured this is the perfect time to start gathering concrete build ideas. Excuse the typos-Im on meds!

I do not want to lift the truck too much and would like to stay around the stock tire size-maybe jumping up a size or two. I have 16" wheels but not against going to 17" if its a better option.

I would rather put a quality suspension together in steps and spend a more money when its all said and done, rather than less money to get everything all at once. I don't want to have to spend good money twice to find I wish I would have gone with better components. I had a Jeep TJ years ago and the lift kit I chose was not the best and it ruined the on road manners. I do not want to go that route again.

I have looked at something like the TRD Baja or Pro setup, but also know that there are quite a few other options that might be better for less money.

Any gentle nudges in what direction to start?
Thanks!
DAVE

 

Start with a budget, it sounds like you have your needs decided on already which is cool; but the sky is ultimately the limit so your wallet tends to ground that balloon.

 

Hmmm...thats a good question. What is a good range? I want "decent" suspension. From what I have read the TRD stuff is around $1500 and pretty good. The ICON/FOX/KING are a bit less and might be better?

 

You could spend $1500 on front SHOCKS alone before anything else. On the bright side if you don't lift or put larger tires on you don't really need to replace the upper control arms.

If you want to replace all of the OEM suspension with aftermarket OEM-equivalent you'll be in for a pretty penny.

I'm inclined to say look at Bilstein OEM replacement shocks as they are budget friendly and will feel better than those TRD sticks.

 

I think I would like a little lift to at least level it. My understanding is under 3" and I can keep the stock UCA.

 

Yeah, although if I was doing 2.5" or above I'd still want the arms. Most guys opt for the mild lift offered by the factory settings on Bilsteins, an add a leaf usually gets your better capacity and a tad lift in the rear as well.

Just please don't put in a block or spacer.

 

I really want to make sure I "do it right" the first time, so no spacers or blocks. I want to improve how it works.

 

If you really want something killer go with any of the "big 3" shocks: King, Fox, Icon, maximum customization means get the compression valving adjusters (almost a year after my lift I sure wish I did) and at a later date swap the control arms with strongerthan stock versions.

You'll pay more but you will get a better life from it.

 

I'd look here for suspension kits

If you want to ensure it still has its street manners, definitely go with UCAs.

for wheels 16's will give you more side wall which protects you from rock rash or your daughter scratching your wheels against the curb.

Someone with 35s will hopefully chime in, but my sense with my old land rover, when it had 35s I wouldn't let anyone else drive it because it was like a lifted washing machine with full sails on the highway, most definitely did not have manners.

 

If he wants to maintain compatibility a 16" with no more than a 32" tire hat is well within OEM width is best. Going much beyond that means rubbing, cutting, hammering, etc.

35's are a bad idea if not into the investment... UCA help with getting into spec on alignment but he won't be pushing it to the edge of 285/75R16 like I did, so it's not really needed. Recommended? Yeah. But it can be done later.

 

Thanks, I will look at the allpro site. 32-33" seems plenty for me. I do not want not hack cut or pound anything to squeeze tires in. Not yet anyway. I just no not think I need that much rubber for what I want to do.

Would the rear have to be done with the front if I am just going with a 3" or under kit using something like the "big three" components? I am guessing that those three give the best quality and performance ride?

 

A 33" inch tire (most common ones here are 285/75R16 or 285/70R17) are a bitch more often than not. Larger than that just gets worse. It's a combination of width and height that gets in the way.

You don't necessarily have to do both at the same time, no. You'll end up with asymmetric performance of course if you do. Best advice? Rear first. The front end is not great on these trucks but the rear is awful.

 

what would get the rear squared away? Just some better shocks or springs too?