2nd gen suspension setup options

ive got an 06 2nd gen offroad with 3rd gen sport front coilovers and stock rear susp right now. Looking to beef up the rear suspension a little but not over do it. Ive got a cap on it that will be on and off, but going cross country in june with lots of gear.

My thought is doing a headstrong 3 leaf pregressive aal in the rear with the extended bilstein 5100.

I may eventually do the front coilovers but dont mind a little rake. would that be absurd to have the progressive aal with the stock 3rd gen sport shocks up front?

Any better options? I want it to last, so ive looked at new leaf packs but theyre pricey.

I would be adding the aal to a take off tsb leaf pack that i have laying around, not my current leafs.

Thanks!

 

That sounds like it will work. Are you almost level now, with the 3rd gen fronts?
The 3-leaf AAL will give you some rake, and when you load up it will prevent you from squatting.
But how much is lots of gear? You might want to consider a new load bearing leaf pack, or possibly airbags if you are heavy loading the bed regularly.

 

usually not super heavy in the bed. i do electrical but usually just toss tools in cab. the current susp is fine for what i do 80% of the time but would be nice to beef up just a little. lots of gear is for a month long road trip. will have backpacking gear, kitchen equipment, surfboards, wetsuits, and other stuff. should be pretty full. have a thule up top for tarps and folding chairs and other stuff we wont use often. I do haul heavy trailers occasionally and work the truck pretty hard, but ive lived with the stock tsb pack (only bottoming out a couple times) so i dont think i need dakars. not running armor/skids and i dont want a rough ride.

edit: and yes i am pretty much level, with and without cap. doesnt make a big difference. havent measured it but it visually looks nice and level. hate when the trucks are nose high, but rake doesnt bother me as much.

 

I think you will be happy with what you proposed, and it won't break the bank in case you decide to upgrade later.

Edit: you may want to get 5125's for your use instead of the B110's. Check with your vendor before you buy.

 

i will do that. You think id need extended brake lines then? I pmd @HeadStrong Off-Road and waiting to hear back. Thanks for the help man.

 

You're welcome.
Go by what HS tells you, but it depends on your use.
B110's will allow more droop, making the longer brake lines advisable, but they also have a longer compressed length than stock.
The 5125's will be in between the two, and probably best for your use, if you are not wheeling your rig hard. I got extended brake lines when I had 5125's, but I was also trying to max out the down travel.
Sounds like you just need some more rake with some load bearing and a shock to fit that, so you shouldn't need the B110's or the brake lines. If it's tight you can add a spacer where the lines attach.
If you buy more shock than you need you will end up needing a custom bump stop or something else you didn't plan on.

 

I would like to make it more capable as i find myself in situations where its helpful. I dont think 110's would be necessary, but i like the idea of 5125's. Id like to have more droop, but dont want to weld new bump stops. I find that every time I want to do a simple modification, theres 12 others that need to be done at the same time and it goes from $500 to $3k...

 

if anyones got any more info on this it would be greatly appreciated. I think im going to order the icon 3 leaf progressive AAL.

whats the difference between icon and headstrongs progressive 3 leaf?

I also think I will get bilstein 5100's if they are the right option for the progressive AAL. It seems as if @HeadStrong Off-Road doesnt offer 5125's unless I am blind which is possible...

 

Wheeler's has them

 

concerned that those shocks will be too long. it says good for 2-3.5" of lift when the leaf pack will probably lift it 1.5". not sure if thats an issue

 

5125's come in many different lengths and model numbers (see chart below). The ones on the Wheelers site are listed as

$131 33-230337 Monotube Shock Absorber, 46mm

33-230337, which have a 15.01" compressed length and a 24.38" extended length, thus 9.37" of travel.
By comparison, the 5100's have 14.02" compressed and 22.94" extended numbers for 8.92" of travel, and the extended 5100's are 16.34" and 27.28" for 10.94" of travel.
You are increasing the distance between the upper and lower mounts of the rear shock by 1-1/2". The 5125's that Wheelers is selling will work well. Call Wheelers and talk to them, or start a conversation with them on here.

 

Hey thanks so much for all of the help. I ended up finding an icon AAL and shocks on auto anything and they told me the 5100 was the better option for it. Not sure if thats correct, but i just decided to go with it. Ive heard great things about them, and he said hed have them here by early next week latest.

Thanks again for all the help! I hope i wont kick myself for the 5100's...

 

I will be putting the AAL onto a newer takeoff tsb leaf pack. Is it easier to install the aal to the leaf pack while its not on the truck?

 

I think it's easier. You just have to drop the axle to create enough space to insert the new, longer center pin from below. Make sure your brake lines are disconnected from the axle before you start.

Edit: Sorry, I meant easier to install AAL with leaf pack still on truck, as long as you have tall enough jack stands.
Use this guide: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aal-install-second-gen.54186/

 

thanks!