Rate my lift plan...

I love my new '19 TRD Off Road DCSB. Eventually, I'd like to upgrade the suspension and fit 285/70/17 tires. On my 1st Gen I had an OME 2.5" lift with Dakar leaf packs and Total Chaos UCAs. It was really noisy, clunky, and rough. I hated it.

On the 2019 I have full RCI skid plates, RCI sliders, and a Decked rear storage system. I have no plans to add more weight. I use the truck as my daily driver, but 'wheel it thoroughly on the weekends - hunting, fishing, camping, and heading out to the lake. I might tow a lightweight teardrop camper with the truck, but that would only be occasionally.

What do you guys think of this lift plan? Will it be better than stock? My emphasis is comfort/quiet (no clunking) while daily driving, fitting 285 tires, and being able to wheel without worry.

• Bilstein 8112/8100 Coilovers and Shocks
• OME Dakar EL095R "light duty" leaf spring pack
  
• Icon Delta Joint Billet UCAs

Also, what other "miscellaneous" items am I missing? Do I need a diff drop? Driveshaft fit kit? Probably longer U-bolts?

 

No need a diff drop but you’ll need a flip kit I recommend these cause they come with better bump stops and the flip kit is built in. http://timbren.com/active-off-road-bumpstops/

 

I would also but 650lb springs on the coil overs to accommodate for the weight of the skids

 

Sounds like you could accomplish your goals and spend a lot less $$$$

 

Make a suggestion?

 

If you like Bilstein go 6112/5160 and a tubular UCAs. The 8112 and billet UCAs seem like a big waste of money for most people. I’m cheap and can get by without the bling so my opinion might not be worth much to some

 

There was a very informative video I saw on TW, in regards to heim vs bushing joints on UCA's, but for the life of me, I can't find it. Anyhow, the take home message was, if you're not desert racing, you'll probably be more content with a bushing style joint on the UCA, vs the much stiffer and responsive heim joint. The heim will provide too much feedback from the road and will be annoying for DD.

 

I was shopping the billet UCAs because of the Delta Joint and uniballs. I think the bushings on my old Total Chaos UCAs were contributing to the noise in the suspension.

Do you think the billet UCAs with Delta Joints and uniballs would be less noisy?

 

Thanks! That partly answers my question above.

Also, the old Total Chaos UCAs may have been noisy because the bushings were urethane?

 

Here's the video I was referring too. Very informative on a wide variety of UCA aspects. The heim joint is discussed around 8:15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4A3QGLEpTQ

Edit: The whole video collection from "Filthy Motorsports" is very informative and is worth a watch for any suspension questions you may have.

 

Why light duty for the leaf springs?

How much permanent weight is that Decked system?

 

You can get the "delta joint" in the non-billet version of Icon's UCA.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...Joint_Upper_Control_Arm_(PAIR)_-_58450DJ.html

The trick to quieting down the bushings is a liberal dose of super lube... Both at install and regularly (every 1000 to 3000 miles). Making sure to loosen the UCA bolt and pump in grease until it pours out of the bushings (between the washers).

$18 Super Lube 41150 Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease, 400g, Translucent White Color

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042FG74W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I have the HD Dakar's with only about 250# of weight, and the ride is great. I'd go HD and take a leaf out if needed...

 

I have SPC UCAs which use moog ball joints. No noise I can hear of.

 

The bilsteins he’s looking at have features that eliminate the need for bump stops and limiting straps.

“

• ZoneControl® CR: Position sensitive damping with 3 compression zones and 2 rebound zones, controlled by 3 independent pistons
  
  
• Compression (C): Provides superior bottom out control through a 2-stage, telescoping internal compression stop. This feature eliminates the need for an external hydraulic bump stop
  
  
• Rebound (R): Secondary rebound stop will dissipate spring energy and stabilize the suspension directly following a large compression event. The internal rebound stop will also eliminate harsh top-out events and the need for an external limit strap
  ”

 

8100 series don’t require the use of aftermarket rear bump stops Many people including myself are only using the stock ones although for whatever reason some people are running hydro bump stops when there is no need. Looks cool though lol

If you got the money to burn for billets go ahead or just spend 400ish for JBAs/SPC UCAs.

I have the 8100 paired with 6112s and the ride is a huge difference comepared to the bilstein 5160s. You could save your money in that route but if you got the money get the 8112s

 

Yea i have seen those on, looks cool though

 

It weight 205 lbs, plus all my gear (tools, recovery gear, compressor, etc). Do you think I should get the Dakar HD rear springs? I just don't want it to ride rough.

Roger that. Maybe upgrade to the HD springs.

Good intel! Thx!

Maybe I'll save a little coin on the UCAs, but spring for the Bilstein 8112s. I just assumed the noise was coming from the UCAs on my 1st gen.

Roger that! Thanks for the tip!


So, in y'alls expert opinion, what's the best bang-for-your-buck UCAs?

 

I just installed 8112s and 5160s with Camburg Moog UCAs and Wheeler's 3-leaf pack on my 2019 DCSB OR. I am very happy and the ride with 8112s is fantastic.

 

Awesome!

Why do people mix and match the front and rear shocks? Are the 5160s a good match in the rear with the 8112s in the front?