Why is it so hard to find a stock height F/R suspension kit?

Not something I'd brag about

Suspension is cheap, and part of maintenance.

A lot of people just don't replace it because it's not physically broken. Not being broken in pieces doesn't mean it hasn't reached the end of its life though...you just can't tell that your shocks don't dampen as well or your height has dropped significantly.

You ever hear of the boiling frog syndrome? Pretty good metaphor that applies here.

 

Wasn't really, just thought it was interesting. Stuff is definitely worn (like the rear end bouncing inches up and down just pushing on the bumper), but haven't replaced anything because it's all way way more than I can afford right now. Such is life sometimes.

I also just need to figure out what suspension I even want.. can't find a good setup that's close to stock height, everything is a lift (especially rear leafs).

 

Spend like 1000$ and just toss on some Monroe quick struts, General Spring regular duty leaf springs an some off the rack rear shocks from rock auto. Then set some money back and as your leaf springs settle in and the Monroes wear out you can start replacing them as you research. Reason I suggest Monroes isnt because I think they ride good but it will at least lift the weight off of crushing your boots and exposing your bearings an joints etc.

 

Lol your answer is in this very thread, and many others as well

 

I know, been looking around for a while . Pretty set on 5100s and stock springs in the front and 4600s and these General Springs I keep hearing about in the back. Just have to find the money now.

 

Yeah.

I've recommended General Springs to a lot of people already; helped a few members install them on their own truck so I've had hands on multiple times.

 

I have a set waiting to put on. They look like quality springs. Wont really know until I get them on though. Could care less how they look just hope they ride good.

 

Good to hear! They seem fairly affordable too so they're definitely going to be my #1 choice for rear springs.

 

Damn. Didn't think of that either. I know the frame has been sprayed during the recall period but no other info.

 

11 years of ownership; would hope you know your frame's condition!

 

If its encapsulated it may be hard to say. That stuff can be hiding anything

 

Apologies for bumping an older thread but I wanted to post and say I basically followed this exact parts list here: Bilstein 5100 Front & 4600 Rear OK? | Tacoma World that roboturner built out for stock replacement height suspension.

I'm getting some cutoff wheels and more loctite. Been soaking the bolts w PB Blaster while waiting on parts.

Wondering if I should pull the bed and hit everything with some kinda rust inhibiter?

 

Sorry to bogart your question again, but I did this a couple months after the suspension, when I installed some SafeTcaps. If you’re making a long weekend out of it, yes I’d pull the bed and grind down the crust with some flap disks (careful they remove material quick) then hit it with some Eastwood converter, just spraying converter over crusties won’t help much, you really ought to remove the rust the best you can prior. Would’ve been easier for me to do it all at once.

take some time to power wash/vacuum the internal frame the best you can, then after hitting the frame inside(!) and out - douse the whole thing in cosmoline or fluid film as part of a repeating rust mitigation practice

Internal with 360: https://www.amazon.com/Eastwood-Internal-Chassis-Coating-Corrosion/dp/B07Q5HBB48?crid=1NJO8M62CU1BL&keywords=eastwood+internal+frame+coating&qid=1657886758&sprefix=eastwood%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-3

external:

$37 Eastwood Rust Encapsulator Aerosol | Quick Drying with UV Resistance and Heat Resistance up to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit | 15 Oz, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Eastwood-Encapsulator-Aerosol-Sunlight-Resistance/dp/B07W7T48TY?crid=1NJO8M62CU1BL&keywords=eastwood+internal+frame+coating&qid=1657886758&sprefix=eastwood%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-7

Cosmoline:
https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/cosmoline-rp-342-heavy-spray-military-grade-rust-preventive/

prior:



After:



its a shame the PO didn’t take care of the frame better, someday this thing will rust to the gods, but I’m doing my best to delay the inevitable in the interim

 

Thanks man! Appreciate it. Yea, that's the plan, take the whole weekend and get it done. Appreciate the info. I may wait til next weekend and get the stuff you mentioned.

 

If youre really hot to trot you can just grab some rustoleum converter and flap disks from HD. That will allow you to pull the bed and get the hard to reach places. Then follow up with the eastwood interior spray at a later time as it wont require pulling the bed.

 

Nah, no hurry at all. Thinking about picking up one of those needler tools from HF and going to town. The frame is solid, just a bunch of surface rust.

 

Oh what fun it is!!

 

Big fan of NAPA as well for stock stuff. Lifetime warranty.

 

Out of all the major chain stores Autozone, OReillys, Advanced Auto etc etc NAPA is usually my got to for small things I need

 

It's funny. We have a couple NAPA stores here but they're always hidden away in a industrial complex or in a super cutty spot in the hood. Meanwhile there's an AZ and O'reilly's on every other block