REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

Threw some Sport shocks and struts from a 16 onto my 15 today. They only had 8,000 miles or so. The ride is so smooth and truck feels new. Also sits about an inch higher. I measured the gap between tire and trim with my phone (iPhone mini) in the same location before and after and my phone fit through clearly. I also visually notice a cleaner stance and my wife noticed that the truck sits taller also. Definitely happy with this.

 

I put a 2" spacer on the front it sits perfectly level with the rear now.

 

Hey just bought this suspension from a 2019 off road for my 2nd Gen base. I know this has been posted about, but the green dot is drivers side?

Also not super familiar with parts but trying to learn, why are the struts different and which side is which?

One strut has 2 “spacers” and the other one has 1”spacer”. One also has a C on it. Which side goes to which?

 

You’re missing a bushing from one of the rear shocks it appears.

 

Green is driver
Blue is passenger
Both rear shocks should have 2 bushings each. You're missing one.

 

Awesome. Not even sure how that's possible.

 

This would be a sufficient replacement piece, correct?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...bUjlUzK9w1NEI7kmCwgoFEdRSNSFVRgsaAnZuEALw_wcB

 

Just steal one from the rears you’re pulling off.

 

Lol.. thank god for the internet. I'm an idiot!

 

Yah when you’re looking at it under the weight of the truck those bushings are going to look a LOT different. Once the suspension is off just inspect all 4 of the outgoing ones and pick the best of the bunch. You should be good to go.

 

Got it installed. Looks & runs significantly better than my stock base suspension.

$50 for the parts, $10 on beer for a coworker & I to drink during install. Not bad at all

 

Hey guy I was rhinking about get some fairly new 3rd gen shocks and then also adding a 1” spacer lift on top of them to add a bit more height. I was wondering if it would effect the shocks a lot ? I know spacer lifts are not very good and will make the ride rough but was wondering if the shocks being fairly new and it being only a 1” spacer maybe it wouldn’t be too bad ?? Any input is appreciated thanks

 

You'll be fine with a 1" spacer lift. Make sure you get a 1/2" spacer which will give you a 1" lift. You'll also need longer studs and will have to compress the springs to install those longer studs.

 

I have a 1/2 in spacer up front and an AAL in the rear. My brother in law went with a 3/4 inch spacer and it aligned fine.

 

Hi sorry I’m just curious, how come a 1” spacer would cause a 2 “ lift ? I’m new to all this . Thanks

 

The lift amount isn't going to correlate exactly to the thickness of the spacer due to independent suspension working on a fulcrum. Place a stick on your finger with 2" overhang on one side and 4" of overhang, now if you push down 1" on the short side you'll get 2" of movement on the long side. Obviously your suspension is more complicated than that, but thats the basic principal.

Spacers aren't bad as long as they aren't excessively large. In fact, spacer are better in some cases. If you increase height with a spring, you loose significant down travel assuming the shock/strut isn't changed for a longer one. With a spacer your shock/strut travel isn't changed. In the lifted Subaru community this a very confusing issue. Many people cannot fathom why their car rides like crap after installing 2" lift springs on stock sturts. They now have very little down travel so when your suspension extends, say on rail road tracks or deep bumps, it will clunk and affect ride greatly.

Anyways after all that rambling, I would probably go with a 1/2" drivers and 1/4" passenger to compensate for the taco lean. It appears that every 1/4" of spacer or clip setting on a 5100/6112 is roughly equal to a 1/2" of actual lift. I'm strictly judging based off of the clip settings on the 5100/6112's though. So it depends on the manufacture and if they are selling spacers based on the spacer thickness or the actual amount of lift provided.

 

Here’s my reg cab, I just finished putting 3rd gen coils with brand new 3rd gen Billies. Did a quick test drive to check if the cruise control is working as it should as I just installed it as well and wow; I’m impressed to say the least, the truck feels brand new but I was riding on blown (most likely factory w/ 215k miles) so isn’t a fair comparison.

 

Exactly how I felt. I was very impressed with the ride as well.

 

Thats a great looking truck!!! Love those wheels too!!!

 

Getting ready to purchase a set of 2020 TRD OR takeoffs with 1000 miles on them. Front and rear shocks, front springs, and UCA's. They'll be replacing original components on my 2013 TRD Sport with 167k miles. After skimming through this thread I can't wait to put them on!

I'm now looking at front spacers and leaf packs. My original leaf packs are shot - lots of corrosion and one has a cracked leaf - so I'm replacing them instead of going the AAL route. I don't need an aggressive lift, but do want a little something-something while keeping the ride comfortable.

I think I'm going with the Headstrong 1/4" spacers in the front and I'm eyeballing the Deaver J59 leaf packs which state they add 1.5" of rear lift. Any feedback or concerns on this setup, or issues that I may run into? Anything that I am forgetting?

TIA