Suspension advice

Hello all,

I have an '07 DCLB TRD Sport that I bought as my DD, and while I do take the occasional trip out into the desert to hike or go shooting, I don't do any hardcore wheeling by any stretch of the imagination.

When I bought it, I pretty much immediately did a 3/3 leveling kit, and was able to fit 285/70/17's with just some mild trimming, no CMC required. Immediately it was clear I needed longer shocks in the rear, as large dips would cause the shocks to lock up and pogo, so I swapped those in and all is well out back. The stock suspension has 155k on it (minus the new rear shocks, and the rear leaf packs which were replaced as part of the recall at around 100k). I was intending to replace the front shocks, but then I ran across a set of ToyTec 600# coilovers on Craigslist for about the cost of what new shocks would have been. They are low mile and in great shape.

Since they are 0-3" lift coilovers, I had originally intended to install them at 3" to replace the spacer lift and shocks. Upon researching the coilovers, however, I understand that they are a progressive rate spring. My stock suspension, being a Sport, has the stiffer front springs. I'm now thinking that maybe I'd have a softer (more comfortable) ride if I left the spacers in and installed the coilovers at 0". While I've heard people say "omg spacers preload your springs and make your ride stiff!!11!", I don't necessarily buy that, since spacers really just change your mounting point to gain the lift, and don't actually preload the springs. Does anyone have any thoughts here based on experience? Please don't comment if "you've heard or read...", as there's a lot of guestimation, theorycrafting, and assumption floating around out there. I figure if the ToyTec's are a progressive spring, installing them at 0" lift with the spacers shouldn't result in any "lift stacking" issues, and should result in a more plush ride compared to the stock Sport springs. I could then adjust the driver's side up slightly as necessary to counter any "taco lean". If my reasoning is flawed and the general consensus is I won't be happy with it, I'll just stick with the spacers and re-list the coilovers and put the profit towards my UCA fund. I just would like to know if anyone's had a similar experience before going through the hassle of swapping out front suspensions twice.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Edit: I realize I wasn't complete with my information. I have no intention of adding a heavy bumper, winch, or anything else that would add weight to the front. The front is stock and will most likely remain that way.

 

If you talking about then preassembled Toytec coilovers that come with the silver 600# spring on bilstein 5100s. Yes leave them set at zero, throw the 1/4 spacer on the driver side for the taco lean and the fronts done. The bilstein Shock is a digressively valved Monotube. If that’s the coilover you speaking imo they ride fine.

 

They are the red springs, I believe they are the Boss 1.0

 

I have these boss coilovers on my truck now and they ride great. Factory set at 2.5 not sure what your plan is. Do you want to put a spacer on top of these as they are or are you only using the springs with new shocks and spacer?

 

Well my original intention was to set them at +3" to replace my stock Sport coils and spacer, but I was wondering if I would get a softer ride by setting them at factory height (Toyota factory height, not ToyTec) and using them with my spacers for 3" of lift with less preload.

 

I was confused at what you said about setting the clip at 0 because there is no clip on those coilovers. You need the wrench to turn them down. Not really sure about adding the spacer on top but I can tell you they will ride great as they are.

 

You could always crank them up to get a full 3”. I believe it only takes a 1/4 turn which I plan on doing this summer.

 

I never mentioned a clip, I mentioned setting them at “0” lift, meaning using the wrenches.

If by “as they are” you mean the factory setting that was mentioned of +2.5” of lift, that’s not an option for me. I have 285’s and need the full 3” of lift, so either I crank the Toytecs up to 3” of lift and remove the spacers, or leave the spacers in and running the Toytecs at factory height. Just wondering which option would be the more comfortable/softer ride.

 

Sorry I thought you meant by setting them at o you meant the clip. Do you have the wrench?

 

Yes, 2 of them actually.

 

I ran my boss 2.0 @ 2.5" with a 1/4" spacer on top with no problems, just don't try to run a spacer on top of an ext. travel shock, the cv's won't appreciate it

 

No cv’s to worry about on a Prerunner