What suspension should I get? Lift or not?

I'm having my frame repaired with Safe T Caps. I figured I might as well replace the suspension at the same time. Requesting some guidance from the group. You guys are so much more knowledgeable than I am.

Goal: Comfortable on the road/highway, yet off road capable for the once in a while I want to go off road. I mostly use the truck for around town and hauling loads once in a while.
I want the 'look' of an off road truck. I know the lift will be stiffer than stock.

Truck: 1998 Tacoma sr5 4x4, 3.4L, 230k miles, 31" tires/stock rims
Considering 3 options, but open to suggestions.

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/.../bilstein-2-2-5-lift-
https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/.../bilstein-4600-front...

Options:

1. Leveled - Bilstein 5100 2.5" front with a 1.5" add a leaf in rear
2. Leveled - Bilstein 5100 2.5" front with a 1.5" block in rear
3. Leveled - Bilstein 5100 1.5" front with no lift in rear
4. No lift - Bilstein 4600 all around

I have new Dorman 929-401 leaf springs

Budget-$1000-2000 including parts and labor for the suspension
The safety cap is already costing $1000


Side note: Why does website fail so frequently?

Thank you!

 

Bilsteins all around, Toytec Coils, All-Pro expo leafs, SPC Uppers 31" KO2's. 2.5"-3" lift. happy with my setup. Don't cheap out, do it right.

 

This topic is beat up a lot; those threads contain relevant information that still applies.

With that said, I say go Bilstein 4600 with a slightly more aggressive 32" tire.

You'll get that "look" with a nice tire and the 4600s will ride as smooth as you'd need it to while still being plenty capable.

 

Won’t the tires rub? I thought anything more than 31” will rub the frame.

 

A suspension lift does not allow you to run larger tires; heads are going to explode

If you look at your suspension components, and understand the geometry behind it, you'll see that even a 'lifted' vehicle's suspension can and will cycle to bring you to where your vehicle sits now. You can't prevent this, unless you just park your truck and not drive it.

When you lift a vehicle, you're simply sitting your truck in a position where your vehicle's suspension is slightly drooped. As you drive, that suspension will cycle upward as soon as you go over a speed bump, pothole, etc.

With that said, many people clear a variety of 32" tires. I did when I ran Falken Wildpeak AT3W's on my old Tacoma.



If you do rub, look up "pinch weld mod" and that should solve much of your rubbing.

 

BRO-Coma’s Revenge is about to start. All this from Wheelers for about $1,000. The OEM Ball Joints were extra.

 

Not sure what that means “brocomA revenge”. Is it better to get from wheelers than bilsteinlifts?

 

Wheelers is pretty much trailgear now, but the fronts were $450 with new top mounts and 880’s installed. Win for me.

 

I don’t know that trailgear means, but that seems like a good price. Not sure why brocomA needs to get revenge on anyone either. I hope he is okay.

 

Honestly with 230K miles on it everything has sagged by now. Just replacing springs and regular yellow 4600 bilsteins will make a huge difference. New top mounts, ball joints would be good. Check all your bushings, suspension, steering rack, front differential. Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. As mentioned before, a 32" tire will give you that look without having to do anything weird and should fit fine. That's a 4 percent size difference, so your speedometer won't be off by much and won't really affect acceleration.
If you want to haul an occasional load I'd recommend air bags for the rear, you can adjust them for load and leave them at no pressure when empty. Air Lift makes some nice kits.
These trucks are super capable stock, unless you plan on going super hardcore offroad I wouldn't bother doing more than this.

 

Great advice. I have hauled about 1500 lbs in the truck as is. I probably won’t need to haul more than that. Why suggesting air bags? Seems like overkill.

 

When I used to work at the performance shop we did them for many trucks, mostly contractors, but the adjustability makes them very nice. Keeps the truck from squatting and screwing the steering.

 

Since this is an active thread... I'm replacing the suspension on my neighbors 1st gen for him. Going with the 4600's. He's been riding on blown OEM shocks for awhile, has 160k on the originals. Thoughts on replacing springs too? and if so, what spring? Keeping it factory height. Cheers.

 

SAS

 

You can get complete front struts....but not with 4600s...that would make it easy for fronts. Rear leafs are easy too. I would imagine Rock Auto has what you need....

 

I don't believe that was all about $1,000... I've been on their site pricing some shocks, etc. and replacement leaf springs and its like $1800.

 

I just checked my invoice $990.

 

You're totally right. I thought you had a full leaf pack there - but it's the progressive AAL. Much better deal... I'll give wheelers a call. Thanks man.

 

Do you happen to have part numbers for the front coils? i am trying to find replacement OEM setup for my xtra cab but everything i find is for standard cab or extended. Not sure if they use the same part or not..

 

Extended cab is an xtra cab...what are you asking?