REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

I actually sold my cap and made a few bucks as well, as suspension is what I purchased lol! Putting it on later this week, excited!

 

Definitely worth having a comfortable ride over a cap to keep shit in the back. Most of my stuff ended up in the back seat anyway. If you really think about it I paid $350 for this suspension since that’s what I paid for the cap lol

 

I bought kings, and still bought a set of these as a backup for when my kings need to go into service for a rebuild. Cost me $125 for all 4 corners with springs. Doesn't get much cheaper than that for a legitimate upgrade for most people, or a spare set for others...I spent more on my bed stiffeners and floormats.

 

Some people are finding 3rd gen front (assembled) and rear shocks for about $200 with almost no miles. I believe someone on this thread got front and rear shocks, UCA's and leaf springs for around $350. Which is a great deal if you have high mileage and your leaf springs are worn, we all know how good OEM leaf springs are on these trucks... Heck, you can barely get replacement leaf springs for that cost let alone refresh the suspension.

To my knowledge 5100's ride more rough compared to this setup and you're still stuck with trying to find a spring rate if you don't use the OEM ones. That topic alone can be very confusing since there is so much "he said, she said" information out there. People always confuse a rough ride with a stiff spring until they realize that the damper is what makes for a good quality ride no matter the spring rating as long as you're within the correct travel range of the damper.

Finding someone to throw something together for you isn't that easy anymore unless you know a guy. Shops are being much more careful about liability these days. If you know a guy, thats great. But I wouldn't count on it. Some shops will refuse to do it since they are not installing the product and don't want to take the risk. Like the old saying goes... It's going to cost you more if you tried fixing it first. I've seen some interesting things jerry-rigged over the years, sometimes you wonder how the heck it was physically possible for them to do whatever they did. You almost have to congratulate them. haha

 

Just to touch on your middle paragraph about spring rates. This is why I never understood why people would freak out at 700lb springs (like one guy on page 1) for the longest time.

When I bought my Kings, I had them put a 700lb spring on there for the weight I was planning for, but the truck was still bone stock. The whole time leading up to the install, i was worried the ride would be unbearable since my truck was underweight for the spring rate. Come to find out, once they were installed, the truck still rode significantly better than stock because the Kings are just that nice lol. Now it rides like a dream with the appropriate weight on.

I can also confirm, I sold my sagging stock leaf springs for about $150, and paid $25 less for a spare 3rd gen suspension at all 4 corners.

 

My attempt at a before and after

Before...



After...

 

Aight I scheduled an alignment for Thursday so I have to tackle this shit tomorrow. I am curious if anyone can tell me with complete certainty the order of bushings and washers for the rear shocks? Im all fucked up. Peace and love

@tinker_troy that shit looks so good it brought spring

 

Makes me think the OME 886 coil overs would be perfectly fine if I put them on my 15 AC with no front weight.

 

Here I am now hoping the shop I had install it did it correctly lol. Haven’t gone for an alignment yet. Maybe when I get some larger tires in a couple months

 

Found this on the internet. 3rd gen service manual.

 

@Abner420 - beat me to it! Than you!

@tinker_troy - I don't know if it's the lighting, but that looks a lot better from the first picture. Looks awesome!!

@TacoTyusday - It's a very misconceived thought about spring load rating, just look at all the spring threads out there. Lots of misinformation out there. What surprises me is that companies even offer 600lb springs for the 3rd gen in the first place. I now have 6112's up front with the included 600lb spring, and think it's a little too soft and mushy feeling. I'd like to get some 700lb springs for them and probably end up lowering the clip setting 2 positions. I liked the more taught and controlled feel of the 700lb spring. I noticed more nose dive when I got the 6112's on hard braking and turn in which I somewhat expected with that spring. Now getting into the science of what makes up a good damper....that's a whole different level of nerd there. I get the basics but thats as far as I wish to go.

 

Took it to the lake with the road that made me wanna change out the stock base model shocks to test it out - no need to literally crawl in first gear anymore. Sent it in second without hitting even the bump stops. Not gonna abuse the rest of my suspension components like that but I wanted to see.. Should keep this thread going so people are aware of what an amazing upgrade can be had for so cheap

 

I need to get me 3rd gen shocks and coils. My front coils and shocks have been on for 220k now lol

 

I'm selling a set. Shipping might kill you... lol

 

Hell ya!!! It worked really well for me in the black hills which was about a month after my original post. Not having sliders is mainly what slowed me down in some spots since I have DCLB.

 

Keep an eye out, they come up pretty often. If you're lucky you'll find get some leaf springs too, after that many miles you could defiantly use some. Even in my area where not many people modify trucks unless its a diesel 3/4 ton with the usual ladder bar lift, giant wheels with tiny tire and goes bwaaaaa all the time. lol

 

The leaf springs were just replaced for that factory recall about 2 years ago and I’ve probably only put about 30k on them. I hope I can find a set cause mine are shot.

 

Here’s me parked next to my friends a few weeks ago I’m ngl the one on the left is a 6 speed cummins done pretty tastefully. He got rid of those tinted headlights the PO put on

 

Have a 2015 DCLB sr5 v6 am about to install 2017 trd or strut assembly in the front
Not really interested in a rake want it to sit pretty level front to back any suggestion on a front strut spacer size

 

I believe most in the thread have use 1/4” spacers. Though this guy did 3/8” drivers and 1/4” passenger to compensate for the taco lean. He also added a spacer on the leaf, keep that in mind when looking at his post.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nsion-on-2nd-gen.542843/page-20#post-24623032

While you’re on this thread in the search box at the top you can choose the selection to search only within the thread, just type in “spacer” and send it.