Suspension Upgrade for utility purposes

I am looking to upgrade my suspension to be more practical for my uses. I’ve been reading a bunch of these threads, but I’d like some advice.

I have a stock 2019 4x4 TRD OR that’s used primarily as a commuter and running to Lowe’s or the lumber. It’ll sometimes see use in fields or dirt trails.

I want to do something about the nose dive while braking and add some payload capacity (probably AAL) for hauling lumber and stuff occasionally. I don’t plan to do serious Off-roading nor do I have time for over-landing. I mainly got the OR for the cement color and some options an SR5 didn’t have.

I’d be okay with around a 2-2.5” total lift but don’t plan to increase tire size beyond 265’s anytime soon. I’m will be adding a roof/bed rack system to support gear, tools, and longer pieces of lumber on top when I need it, but not going to carry hundreds of pounds of static weight all the time.

What suspension lift would be best suited for this use? I’m not interested in blocks or spacers. Since it’s basically new I think an AAL in the rear with different shocks should work. Not sure if I really need new front coils or external reservoir shocks.

Thanks for the input.

 

Bilstein 6112, don’t take out your overload leaf if you choose to do the AAL route.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-6112.421995/

Good luck

 

If you are really hauling loads look into airbags or upgraded bump stops (e.g., Timbren/Sumo springs).

 

I just went with a Wheelers AL 22 single add a leaf and sumo springs, and have had those in for about a year and a half.. Thinking about eventually upgrading the front coils at some point once my stock shocks wear out (DCSB TRD OR). I have been looking at 5100s with 885s or Dobinsons with 59-302 coils. If I go too much higher I worry the truck will be riding nose high too much

 

I’ve had airbags before and that’s an option if I end up hauling a trailer around.

 

In the same boat. Hate the dive. Looking for 2"ish of lift. Interested to hear your choice and review...

 

There is definitely some options for what you want to go with. You can do a full OME lift that'll give you the 2 to 2.5 inches of lift with upgraded leafs with some airbags to help out with heavier loads with possible cradles so you can still get the full articulation while offroading. Let me know if you need help. I'm Anthony from toyteclifts!

 

I've gone the aal route and ended up with the realization that Toyota leafs are garbage.... Twice. My suggestion would be sumo springs (tundra rated) with deaver or ome springs. I would skip the bullshit and jump to either 6112 or ome nitrocharger with 886 springs. 885s won't stop the nose dive. 5100s look like twigs compared to nitrochargers. Bags are cool but have lines and need maintenance. I've towed a full size bobcat with about 1.5" drop in ride height.

 

So maybe OME Medium Duty leaf packs, 886 and Nitrocharger shocks. I’ll check them out.

 

I’ll check those out on the site, my friend.

 

If you want to go up to 2.5" in lift you're starting to get into more expensive upgrades because it will require an upper control arm.

In order to have decent ride quality the front of these trucks really needs a bigger 2.5" shock.
Out back you can get away with a simple 2.0" shock.

AAL's are good for around town and will provide the lift and ride quality improvement you are looking for.
Full leaf packs are substantially better off-road, but that doesn't seem to be a requirement for you.

As far as IFP vs Reservoir, the IFP rear shocks are sealed and basically throw away units.
The reservoir shocks can be rebuilt and revalved to last a lifetime.

Our stage 2 kit features lifetime shocks and amazing ride quality:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/product/05-tacoma-mid-travel-suspension-kit-stage-2-fox/

More info about why Tacoma's need 2.5's in front, and overall shock choices:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/size-tacoma-4runner-shocks-need/

 

That’s great info, man. I’ll read through those for sure. I’d rather do it right (or close to right) the first time. But I realize I won’t be doing crazy off road stuff so a professional level suspension setup wasn’t necessary for me.

 

Just put Dobinsons and wheelers add a leaf on my 2nd gen. Rides great. Wouldn't recommend lifting

 

Go to a local spring shop and have another leaf added to each side. It will lift it as well. I had two leafs added to each side and had to lift the front 2.25" lift to make it level again. My truck no longer squats from heavy tongue loads or bed loads. I have no problem carrying a ton payload. Nay sayers be damned. I carried a ton regularly on my '89 toyota pickup. The rubber stops didn't even touch with that load.

 

I have a long bed OR and will be adding a slide-in Northstar cab over camper. I'll be installing torque air bags (similar to Firestone),

$93 Daystar, Air Bag Cradle designed for full suspension travel, Fits All 6" diameter convoluted Air Bags, fits any full size of half ton truck, 2/4WD, KU09140BK, Made in America, Black

Daystar cradles,

$666 Air Lift 72000 Wireless Air Leveling Compressor

Airlift wireless compressor with "dual path" (important, because it stops the air from moving from airbag to airbag causing the truck to rock from side to side while in motion). I haven't picked the suspension yet, but I'll probably go with a FOX Stage 2, 3, or 4 kit to level it out. Along with the added weight of a slimline winch bumper, sliders, ARB compressor and tank, etc., my goal is to bring the truck back to stock height to accommodate the Toyota Safety Sense features. This way I can lift the rear with the air bags to bring the height back to stock per the weight load.

I'll also be adding ECGS 4:88's gears (with front locker) and OVTune re-flash to help with the weight and the GOLF CART style throttle response.

I had the cheapo spring on my last Tacoma, and while they held a lot of weight, the ride was absolutely harsh especially over washboard and potholes. They also had the tendency to break. Good luck!

 

Take a look at the Eibach kit. Less than $600 and rides fantastic.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/eibach-pro-lift-kit.545060/page-21

 

^^^

This guy has the idea. I do the same thing with my truck as the O/P. I added a 2015 take off 3+1 factory pack with a 3 leaf add a leaf and no overload. They carry everything up to non- constant rated payloads much better than the stock O/R 2+1 factory pack. They will sag about an inch for the first 1-200 pounds and then firm up noticeably as they are progressive in nature. Ride is good if a little stiffer and they raised the rear by 1 1/2 " unloaded. Bilstein 5100s would not be my first choice for control of constant heavy loads though. I have them and the unloaded ride is good if a little soft. Bilstein and others make better shocks for load control purposes as others have posted. There has been no sag yet in the rear that I can measure by the way.

On off-roading suspension parts..... they are generally softer riding, flexy and made for off road uses. Over-landing type parts are more for load carrying but again are made, by definition, with an off road bias. I would not lift the front as that opens another can of worms and unless you want the look (and the trouble) lift has limited benefit for street use and removes the factory designed suspension rake.

Leaf springs have been around since the days of the horse and buggy. They work well but they cannot be soft but firm, flexy but stiff, comfortable, prevent axel wrap and carry varying loads level,without sagging ,ever, all at the same time, unfortunately.

For any spring leaf , the length, thickness and width of the leaves all determine the spring rate (stiffness) and thus the load carrying (sag resistance) rating in inches of "sag" per pound of load. The arch of the leaves determine the ride height. The specific metallurgy and heat treating determine the all around toughness of the springs.