Overland style suspension options?

WTF is this?

Probably get it in the Apple store...

 

Rather than start a seperate thread, I'm looking to upgrade my shocks/leaf springs/coils with the Arb OME suspension package. I want to haul a hard side truck camper in the bed and go offroad. For those of you who own/drive with the OME suspension package installed on your Tacoma trucks, do you think the leaf springs can hold up to a hard side truck camper loaded in the bed or should I get custom order leaf springs from Deaver or Alcan?

 

I think they make a OME leaf pack for heavy loads and you can also get a add a leaf for extra weight.

 

OEM has a heavy duty set (actually, I think you do an add a leaf in their pack)

All-pro expedition springs are for heavy loads.

Most Deaver I've seen are not for heavy loads.

Alcan are probably best because they are custom. You can tell them what you are trying to do, how much it weights etc... And they build your springs for what you want... This is the most expensive option.

 

I was looking at the All Pro suspension package with the expedition springs. Does anyone here have one installed on their Tacoma? If so, how does it handle with your vehicle fully loaded?

 

I don't have them yet. But they are what I plan on changing to. Either post in the 1st gen lunch table, or What have you done to your truck 1st gen thread. I'm sure someone there can give you personal experience feedback on them.

I like the All-pro because they designed for heavier load without using an overload spring (overload springs limit articulation - up travel)... And they are cheaper than Alcan.

 

Do you think the All-Pro expedition springs can hold up to the weight of hard side truck camper loaded in the truck bed without bottoming out?

 

All Pro Expos are rated to lift 3 inches with 400-500 pounds additional continuous load.

 

I just installed
Bilstien 6112 fronts
Bilstien 5165 rear shocks
OME Drakars with extra leaf
It has not seen the dirt yet but the ride is good on the street . Its a night and day difference from the old worn out stock stuff ...

 

Would that suspension upgrade handle a 1200lb hard side truck camper in the truck bed without bottoming out when driving?

 

1200 lb camper?
You would need a minimum of All Pro Expos or Alcans as well as installing Firestone bags or Timbren load boosters.

What camper wieghs 1200lbs??? Or are you talking a fully loaded camper (with all your other gear) at 1200lbs?

 

It's not a pop up camper or a roof top tent mounted on a rack. It's a hard side truck camper like this, this isn't my truck/camper, but similiar truck & camper. 1200lbs empty without food or gear:

 

Damn son! That's a lot of weight. That camper weighs 1/4 the amount of the entire truck.

Fully loaded that's going to be fun driving up hills. You'd definitely need to go with Expedition leaf springs like All Pro and then helpers like Firestone bags or Timbren.

The helpers will eliminate bottoming out.

That set up is going to be extremely top heavy.

 

Thank you for your input & advice. Most people like the Four Wheel Camper or other brands of pop up camer. I went the other way with a hard side truck camper since I wanted privacy and the ability to stealth park, if needed. I was aware of the camper being top heavy driving it home from the seller's home on stock suspension, C rated tires, strapped down with nylon straps, wobbling sideways on the freeway with crosswinds blowing from Hollister, going 60mph. I felt like I was riding on a boat, was scared the camper would come off the bed, made it home safely, and was able to unload it on my custom camper dolly.

 

Right on brother.

Nothing wrong with the set up as long as you know what you're getting in to a d make plans accordingly.

I think if I were you I'd do the All Pro Expos and Firestone load right bags. Just know you'll have to do a compressor set up for the Firestone.

You said on the way how from Hollister... Where's home?

 

I'll check out the All Pro suspension kit. I don't see any "Expos" on the All Pro website: I'm deciding on a suspension kit by OME (Arb), All Pro, or one of the other companies since I'm going to upgrade the leaf springs & shocks. I'm undecided about the Firestone air bags, but I won't know until I load the camper on the truck with the new suspension upgrades that I plan on getting soon. I'm also interested in the Roadmaster Active Suspension over the Firestone load right bags. I don't want to deal with air lines leaking, deflating/inflating, or air bags blowing up: https://activesuspension.com/suspension-kits/

Fremont is home for me. I noticed that you're based in the central valley, near Modesto.

 

Yep... I'm over here near Modesto. You should come out with us when we do a run or a mod day. There's a few guys from over your way that come out with us @roguegs and @sd1uh8as have made the trip.

For All Pro Expedition leafs... When you are ordering All Pro leafs there's a drop down menu where you choose standard or expedition

 

Thanks for the invitation. I may take you up on the offer. I don't have any friends that go 4 wheeling, but don't want to thrash my truck either as its my daily driver. I just had a nice used low mileage engine installed a few weeks ago, clutch & transmission serviced completely a few months earlier, am in the process of installing a trailer hitch & stereo head unit, have to get rid of the CEL light on my dashboard/pass smog/renew my registration. I had no transportation earlier this month so I'm trying to get myself mechanically repaired/upgraded/registered so I can travel someplace without getting in trouble or have mechanical issues. Thanks for pointing out the leaf spring choices on the All Pro website. Their suspension kits include the Bilstein 5100 shocks which is what I was planning on buying any way. I like the coil over options with the 650lb springs as I plan on getting an Arb bumper.

 

Sounds like you're doing a lot of the right things to make your rig do what you want it to do. You should totally keep a look out for when we do stuff. Here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/209-tacos-b-s-and-shinanigans.523873/

(I'm not trying to thrash on my truck either, it's my daily as well)

I'm running Bilstien 5100s with Toy Tec 620# coils and I like them a lot. I'm not running a winch or off road bumper yet (have a bumper but it's at a buddy's house, but it's in Santa Cruz, haven't had a chance to make it over there... lol). In back, I'm running Bilstiens with a stock leaf pack with a Wheelers 1.5 add a leaf and also a middle leaf from a 5lug Tacoma. (I'm sure Fox or Kings would be better, but my wallet and my wife like the Bilstiens for now). But the next suspension upgrade I'll be making is 100% going to be All Pro Expos.

 

That's a really nice suspension upgrade. Did you install that yourself? I'll be heading out to Santa Cruz in January. If your friend can meet me with the bumper, I can bring it back to Fremont, and we can meet up & give you your bumper. What do you think of the OME suspension kit (ARB) compared to the All Pro suspension kit?