Suspension Advice

Hello everyone!

So I have been creating a list of upgrades and parts for reference so when a good price comes around I don't have to think about it. I'm on suspension atm and would like some feedback on the system I'm thinking of purchasing before I take it to the Financial Adviser. aka the wife.

I know we see these all the time and it's at the end my choice but just like to hear from people that might have this setup or if there is a better one out there that I have not heard of.
So pre- thank you!!

End goal since I know some of this the gear could be application-specific.
RTT, and gear loadout for 4-5days in the backcountry. No major rock crawling but I would say an average amount trail depending. Of course some armor and steel back bumper. Mainly to access areas that are remote for photography and hiking.

I'm a little concerned since I heard that if you get the 886's that it will ride rough until you put on an aftermarket bumper with winch. I'm not planning on upgrading that for a bit and might just go with the hidden mount and winch setup.

Here are the specs: OME looks like it's a little over $1,500 w/o UCA's. From Toytec.com site. Is there a better site to watch for deals?

I'm on the fence if I should get the Heavy OME HD Rear Dakar Leaf Springs or if the Standard would be enough.

Thanks for any opinions and input.



-Andrew

 

Do you mean HD leaf pack? If you're planning to leave your Bedrack+RTT on your truck you should. You should checkout headstrong offroad. they also sell complete kits too.

 

Call/PM Marie at Headstrong Off Road

 

So if I'm planning on removing the RTT when daily driving and leaving the bed rack on the standard should be fine enough?

 

People say it rides pretty rough. you're supposed to have "600lb" constantly in the back.

 

ah X4

 

I just installed the HD add a leaf on my medium duty pack and it has been good so far. But I am also running an ARE canopy and an SOS high clearance with a full size spare and 2 cans on the rear. It definitely stiffened up the rear end but in a positive way for my driving. In the summer I will toss on the 225lb RTT for a few months then take it off after camping season. I have this exact suspension but added SPC UCA's as well because I got a good deal on them.

 

Listen to the above and call Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. She was wonderful in answering my questions. I'll do what I can, but have only been running the set-up for a couple of years.
Originally I went with the 887's for the full 3" of lift, but also wasn't planning on adding armor and bumper and winch. One year later I ended up swapping the 887's for 886. I have full armor, bumper and winch and it doesn't seem too stiff. In the rear I went with a full medium duty leaf pack from OME. It has treated me pretty well over the last two years. Certainly a better pack over the stock, and far less sag with weight. With that being said I am adding a bed rack and RTT, I am planning on adding the OME leaf to convert to the HD leafpack.

I worked with Marie and ended up getting the whole OME kit, which made install nice. You get everything you need in one nice package. Just the limited information you have given makes me think you will end up in my situation. Buying a decent budget kit, and not getting what you need. If you plan to add weight down the road I would highly recommend that you just get the 886 and HD rear leaf pack. It'll save you the time and money of swapping components later on.

I highly suggest +4" rear brake lines, something I plan to add this year. I also have the softer valved 900021 (i believe) front shocks. That paired with the 887 and 886 have been pretty comfortable for me. It can't baja through woops, but it is ok. I used to always hit my bumpstops in the rear if i hit consecutive bumps, no longer an issues with this set-up. For a budget you can't beat it IMO, but knowing what I do now, I would've gone a different route from the beginning.

With that being said, I should've listened to everyone else and just went with kings from the beginning. There are a lot of advantages to the higher end coil overs that I was just ignorant to at the time. Buy once, cry once is pretty sage advice.

It comes down to how you are actually going to use the truck, and how often. For me the OME shocks do the trick for now, but I would like to upgrade the rears to a 12" with relocate and get a little more droop.
Alignment can be tricky once lifted, so lube the hell out of the cam bolts way before you add the lift. I also highly suggest the UCA if you go 2.5" or higher. I have the SPC, and as long as the tech knows how they work that are pretty good so far. A lot of guys run the JBA's, and I would consider them in the future just because they use MOOG ball joints that can be purchased all over.

I hope this helps, don't be afraid to reach out if I can answer any other questions.

 

Wow thank you all for all the information. I'm leaning towards 886's with the HD pack. Mainly since I want that full steel bumper and will have the rack always on. Since I do normally hit trails for photography scouting and pictures year-round and daily sometimes. Also, budget wise it will fit what we need for now and for some years later. Hoping we don't head back out west anytime soon haha. Good to know on the UCA's I'll look into those I was looking at the total chaos ones but those are a little out of the price range atm. So the JBA's might be the route to go.
Once again thank you all for the info these forums are such a life saver.

 

If you don't have a rack already I would maybe consider having one that mounts to the frame through the bed bolts. It may be unnecessary, but the route I am choosing to go. I plan to actually take mine off-road, and it sounds like you have plans of doing similar. I could be wrong, but thought the side rails were only rated for 250lbs. Most rack/tent combo's will be fine at that, but bouncing on them I would feel much better with the rack solid mounted to the frame. I am working with a member to design my rack. Hoping to come up with a quick release system that allows the feet to be permanently mounted, but removal of the rack/tent rather quick and easy. This all may be moot, but if you haven't gotten a rack it is something to consider.

 

Yeah, I have been looking into that. I was thinking the same thing a frame-mounted quick disconnect system that if needed I can remove quickly and do it alone. Since most of the time, it's just me. Also, the weight since it will be the wife, me and 2 dogs not including the gear attached to it. I'm thinking that this: Steel nestable with a few Perforated holes might be the answer. Side thing I could if needed change the height of the total bed rack if needed. Looking to keep the RTT either at or just above the cab since we drive hours to get to any mountain trails. But I haven't deep dived into all the research yet. Will keep looking at your build page for updates on your rack system might have to steal some designs!! haha

 

Well I am leaning heavily on another member that seems to understand exactly what I want. I don't know that the final product will be exactly what I want, but close and functional at least. I just found out the guy I commissioned this build through isn't the best fabricator. I feel sick, but I also promised the work and i'm not that guy. I have a regular fabricator that i usually work with, and should've went that route. Anyhow, I should have some pics this weekend, and have an idea of how i made it work.