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Damage from stiff front suspension?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by ardrummer292, Oct 5, 2020.

  1. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:10 AM
    #1
    ardrummer292

    ardrummer292 [OP] 500k or bust

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    I've got another odd question for you all. I'm sure those who recognize my username have come to expect this.

    Bottom line: Will a stiff front suspension setup cause damage to my truck?

    Background:
    I have a Dobinsons full lift kit installed, including heavy 730 lb front coils. These coils were recommended to support the additional front-end weight I'm in the process of acquiring: an ARB bumper (no winch), aluminum front/IFS skid plate, aluminum transmission skid plate, and a few other odds and ends (AGM battery upgrade, auxiliary high beams, etc.).

    As you might imagine, the ride quality with a stock front end was miserable. Now that I have the ARB bumper installed, it has softened up noticeably. It is still damn stiff, definitely nowhere near as "cushy" as the stock setup. @EatSleepTacos took it for a spin, where he confirmed that yes, it is a pretty stiff setup.

    I like that there is very little nose-dive during braking and nearly zero body roll during tight cornering. This truck is my daily driver, so having that stability is nice if I have to go evasive when traffic gets sporty. That said, all the stability in the world won't matter if stuff starts breaking because of poor parts selection.

    I'm worried that the shock transferred through the stiff suspension will beat the crap out of the systems on my truck: electrical joints rattling loose, bulb filaments knocked out of position, stress fractures in the bumper mounting points, stuff like that.

    Is there a real risk of long-term damage caused by this sort of thing? If not, I have no problem sucking it up. If there is, I'd like to know now before any (more?) damage occurs.
     
  2. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:12 AM
    #2
    6 gearT444E

    6 gearT444E Certified Electron Pusher

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    Doubtful, maybe if you’re constantly driving over washboards. They design stuff on vehicles to take a pretty good beating.
     
  3. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:13 AM
    #3
    doorsidedown

    doorsidedown Well-Known Member

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    I’d say doubtful as well. Easy fix would be a spring swap or just throw in a winch!
     
    MattCowsmasher likes this.
  4. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #4
    doorsidedown

    doorsidedown Well-Known Member

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    also post pics!
     
  5. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #5
    ardrummer292

    ardrummer292 [OP] 500k or bust

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    If a spring swap is needed, then that's what I'll do. No need to add weight and spend money on something that I wouldn't use, like a winch. My daily commute isn't quite that hardcore.
     
    doorsidedown[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #6
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    It really wasn't that bad of a ride, not jarring at all. I would describe it as firm, not really stiff. I didn't think it was too bad.
     
  7. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:15 AM
    #7
    ardrummer292

    ardrummer292 [OP] 500k or bust

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    RANDY LET ME WORRY ABOUT STUFF GOD YOU'RE NOT MY SUPERVISOR
     
  8. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:16 AM
    #8
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Well, you keep tagging me, sooooooooo
     
  9. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:17 AM
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    doorsidedown

    doorsidedown Well-Known Member

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    I will throw this out there... by the time you buy new springs, pay some one to put them on, pay for a new alignment you’d be in (smittybilt) winch price territory and you’d have it if Armageddon ever happened on your way to work!

    :muscleflexing:
     
  10. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:18 AM
    #10
    6 gearT444E

    6 gearT444E Certified Electron Pusher

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    I’ve never heard of 730 lb coils though that seems excessive. Especially with no winch, and aluminum skid plates. I have a winch and steel skids and 700 lb coils, ride is like a Japanese caddy
     
  11. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:19 AM
    #11
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    To be honest I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

    Also, I had never heard of 730 lb coils either until he brought them up. I was doubtful but low and behold, they do exist. Dobinsons carries them.
     
    ardrummer292[OP] likes this.
  12. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:20 AM
    #12
    MattCowsmasher

    MattCowsmasher ( -_・)ᡕᠵ᠊ᡃ່࡚ࠢ࠘⸝່ࠡࠣ᠊߯᠆ࠣ࠘ᡁࠣ࠘᠊᠊ࠢ࠘

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    Add more weight or get fatter :notsure:

    730lbs dang that’s insane I may have to look into those my 886s are getting a little long in the tooth.
     
  13. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:21 AM
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    6 gearT444E

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    hah, well maybe not that plush. But when I first swap from 650 to 700 springs I needed a dental appointment to replace some fillings afterwards. Once the winch, skids, extra battery were in, feels comfy compared to how it use to ride.
     
    ardrummer292[OP] likes this.
  14. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:22 AM
    #14
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    700's are no joke. I'm down to 600's now and man, they ride plush.
     
  15. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:24 AM
    #15
    SR-71A

    SR-71A Define "Well-Known Member"

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    255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak MTs, Mobtown sliders, ARB bar, SOS front skid, Icon RXT leafs, extended & adjustable Kings, JBA UCAs, OVS wedge RTT, dual AGM batteries, Gen2 xrc9.5 winch, CB, GMRS, S1 ditch lights...
    It sounds like your truck is fairly light compared to some. Yeah the ARB is heavy, but no winch and Al skids is a ton of weight saved right there. Why did you go with 730 rate coils?

    That being said I dont think you have anything to worry about. As said above it will depend on what exactly you do. If you are really worried about it and think youll be doing lots of washboard type stuff, I would say look into replacing the front core supports.

    Thats what the sway bar is for
     
  16. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:30 AM
    #16
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    Seriously? I have 700# springs and they barely hold my truck at 3" of lift even with a tiny 4cyl under the hood.
     
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  17. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:33 AM
    #17
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Yep. 6 threads preload on passenger and 8 driver. My front bumper/winch only weighs like 130 lbs. I'm also less than 2" lift probably, I don't actually know or really care.

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:35 AM
    #18
    Kyle01

    Kyle01 Well-Known Member

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    Ditch the swaybar before you do anything... takes the edge off of small bumps for sure and with those springs I’m guessing you won’t notice it’s gone (besides the softer ride)
     
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  19. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:40 AM
    #19
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    I doubt its much worse than the stock Sport suspension, which I've taken down washboard a number of times. So far the only failed parts, my fire extinguisher mount fell off and the weatherstripping got loose in my trailer. Nothing like setting up camp to find a thick layer of dust in your bed. But for everything vital and stock, those are still tight. Even the alignment is still good, which is usually the first sign that you're beating on the truck.

     
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  20. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:46 AM
    #20
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    Ah. I have like 30 threads of preload. I might be at slightly more than 3".
     

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