Sumo Springs Review

Got some Sumo Springs installed on my '13 DCLB Sport 4x4. Beforehand my nose was pointed into the sky and my bed was sagging substantially so I decided to check to get a pair installed.
The unloaded ride is a wee bit stiffer, but not all that much. I don't really notice it much. One thing I noticed is that the truck seems to feel peppier. I attribute this to the fact the rear suspension travels less when accelerating so less power is lost...think of riding a bike with a super soft suspension vs a fully rigid bike. The fully rigid bike transfers power much more efficiently.
This sensation transfers over to towing too. When you give it gas, the rear end bobs less giving you a more linear acceleration sensation.
As far as sag, the difference is substantial. These are really poor pics but the image with the bikes on the roof is before and the image with the trees is after. I wish I could have gotten better pics because the image with the trees is actually on a steep hill. The bed definitely sags less when I lower the tongue onto the hitch.
At any rate, figured I would chime in with my experience. So far, so good!

 

Which version of SumoSprings did you get?

 

I got the

$280 SSR-610-40 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tundra, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Titan

SSR-610-40 model. I think you can get an even stiffer model but from what I have read that is geared towards Tundra more than Tacoma and would make the ride crazy stiff. For what I need them for, these ones are working great.

 

I got sumo springs also. I am pretty happy with them as the taco sits nice and level. I agree with the harsher ride, and speed bumps are a little wild these days, but it gave me a good 1.5-2 in raise in the rear while towing. And I dont mind the bumps. (Right: before, Left: After)

 

Glad you like them. I think Sumo Springs are great because you don't have to worry about any maintenance issues. The slightly-harsher ride is something I can live with.

 

where did you guys purchase your sumos?

i found the 610-40 model on Amazon for $213 with free shipping. can anyone beat that?

thanks

 

I think I paid $203. $213 seems within the margin but maybe some other better deals out there.

 

Same I paid the Amazon price for the prime shipping. Kinda got sucked into it

 

I'm looking at Sumo Springs as well on my 2016 SR5 for towing a Scamp trailer. How difficult are these to install?

 

T

They were very easy! Jacked the rear up only enough to get the weight off the springs to fit the sumos. Then removed factory bump stops by removing the 2 u bolts on each side. Place the sumos in place of the bump stops and refasten the ubolts. Took about 30 mins and I was taking my time. Maybe look up torque spec on those ubolts I can't remember.

 

Thanks. That sounds like something even I could accomplish doing with my minimal technical skills -- how to use a jack happens to be part of that skill set!

 

Hahahaha I have very minimal technical skills with cars also and it was fine.

 

SUMOSPRINGS - I have a lot of information on these springs. I did extensive testing and measurements with the sumo springs and spoke to the president and CEO of Sumo Springs several times about their product. Here is something you need to know ESPECIALLY if you have a camper shell.

1st - the SSR 610-40'S that they send you are too big especially if you have a camper shell; they have 5 doughnuts. The weight of the camper shell does not allow for the correct amount of gap between the sumo springs and the frame plus they are too wide (see pics). The bottom line is they produce a rougher ride than intended. I experienced bouncing from the sumo springs even the shorter second pair that they sent me. It's as if they don't let the shock absorbers do their job. The rebound is forced upwards from the compression or skwish when you encounter a bump. The shorter pair (have 4 doughnuts) have a slightly better empty ride but they still had the same ride when loaded. I was still going to have cut the shorter pair 1/2" to get the correct air gap with the camper. I even took the camper and took measurements loaded and unloaded.

#2 - the original pair actually raised the truck 1/4" above stock even with the camper on. The springs were too tall and it made the ride even worse; especially if you have a camper. If you hit a good size bump...they will kick back pretty hard.

If you aren't completely happy with the ride (as I was), the smaller 4 doughnut spring is much better than the standard 5 doughnut. I have a set of the smaller doughnut springs without the mounts just lying around if anyone wants them.

After all of my trials, which included Firestone Ride Right air bags, I went with the

$256 Hellwig 980 Leaf Helper Spring

Hellwig 980 helper springs....I absolutely love them. The ride is awesome empty and loaded....plus they are adjustable!

You really need about a 3/8" to 1/2" air gap between the frame and the top of the bag for the sumos to work best. The weight of a camper shell or any other Regular equipment should be taken into consideration. The President of Sumo Springs said you can take a bread knife and cut the springs down to give you the needed air gap. I actually took off my camper shell and tested the vehicle with both sets of springs. If you are just ok with them or find yourself getting tired of the rougher ride, you can cut them down.

Both of the attached pictures are of my truck with the camper shell on. You can see how the original spring is distorted .....it actually raised the rear of the truck above the factory ride height with the camper on.

 

I installed sumo spring last Saturday and I did notice a stiffer ride, but it doesn't seem unbearable. Maybe raised my truck rear about 1/2 inch(didn't measure though)

I bought them to help with the porpoising while towing a 3,500lb TT.

Hooking up on Friday for a test drive.

 

Like the Timbren Suspension Enhancements, you're supposed to have a small air gap when empty. I had my truck loaded down with about 850lbs and went on a 2 hour drive in state. Going up was ok but coming back wasn't for me. The smaller springs ride a little better. You can take a bread knife and cut them down enough to creat that air gap. Just to have to find what you're happy with.

 

Just installed a set on my 13 TRD OR 4x4, raised the back about 1/2" like others said. They are touching the frame and the ride is stiff and bouncy, so I removed the top section. Now I can get a finger between the sumo and frame, and the ride is much better. More driving is needed to see if I want to remove another section. The main thing I hated was hitting the bump stops a lot, and hard.

 

Yup. Exactly the same but worse if you have a camper shell. Have you loaded it down yet. I put 750 lbs of bagged mulch in mine.i found that they really keep the shocks from doing their job when loaded.

 

No load yet, just installed this morning, then a 1hr drive to see eye Dr. When I got home, I removed and cut the top section off, and re-installed. Better, but still not what I hoped for. All I really want is a softer bump stop, so time will tell if I trim more off.

 

Just installed a pair of SumoSprings on my '17 DCSB... I also have an ARE V-series shell on the bed.

Overall, I'm really happy with the end result. Installation was a breeze. Gained about 1/2" lift which leveled the truck out and the ride is slightly more firm, but also more composed, with the bed empty. Hauling my 5x8 utility trailer full of 5 cubic yards of compost this weekend and can't wait to see how it handles.

Highly recommend the upgrade!

 

What sumosprings did you get? Thinking of getting a set