New Guy help for 2nd Gen suspension basics

It's been a minute since I've done a lot of off-road driving, so my knowledge is outdated. I have a scrub new guy query about suspension leveling. If this is the wrong thread, I'm happy to delete or move this question. My lightly used 2015 4x4 squats about 1.5" low, unloaded. My use case is nontechnical off-roading (no winching, no rock crawling etc.) I've read that leveling blocks can create axle wrap problems under acceleration.

Attached pic shows the stance of the front (Icon upper control arm upgrade) and rear (stock?) setup.

Are leveling blocks the best or only option to gain about 2" in the rear?

 

If it was me, I'd be looking at leaf springs and shocks instead of blocks...
Search that direction and you'll see lots of discussions and options.

 

Thank you. I'm planning on keeping the rig for a few years, at least.

 

Agree with MR5X5, pass on the blocks, and go with the shocks.
I put on some Fox 2.0 which gave me a little lift and leveled things out, Really improved the ride.
Reading through you will also find a lot of folks like the Bilstein’s. Either choice will get you leveled out and a better ride.
Good Luck !

 

Icon RXT
Bilstein 5160

 

Thank you, sir.

 

Checking out the ICON leaf pack - thank you for the suggestion. Of course, the next question is DIY or shop, grin.

 

For suspension, I will let the shop do. I don’t have the space or all the tools. If you mess with the front end, you will need an alignment afterwards. Only two shops local for me. Had one do the rear bumper and side rail. They did ok, but not “enthusiasts”.

Had the other (4WP) do my front bumper and winch. Used a friend of mine who does bed liners to install the shocks. Gave me a super deal and is right next door to an alignment shop. Photo here after the Fox 2.0 shocks installed. Leveled it out but the best thing is the improvement in the ride.

This Saturday 4 Wheel Parts is having a killer sale. Almost $1k off list for the Icon lift kit and $500 discount on the install. Wish I had a “local” shop, but these guys do ok, and of course, will be getting all new with the lift.

Looking back, I should have done the lift last summer, would have saved the $ on those shocks. Oh well, just happy to have funds now to do the lift, tires & wheels.

There are a lot of diy folks here and a lot of threads with all the info you would need.

Good luck !!

 

If you're reasonably handy, and have a pretty modest amount of handtools, you can swap the suspension on a tacoma no issue. Of course, if you lack or want to forgo the time and space/effort, you can always to pay a shop to do it. I'd expect them to quote you 3-6 hours depending on the shop.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. That looks like SoCal desert areas which are near me. SoCal has a TON of Tacomas - seems like it's more popular than the F-150s. I'll check out the sale.

 

Actually on a trip last summer to Bodie – up the road from Mono Lake.

Be sure to check the thread/link Gunshot-6A posted above. Lots of great info there.

 

installed RXT probably took me a couple hours
op1 vs. 2 or 3 configuration to set up prior, depending on how you intend to run, desired height, and what weight added on the back
They say Deaver is better, higher quality, more expensive, less customizable. Might come in either stock weight, heavy weight, or extreme weight versions.
Cheaper is OME, kinda not the best reviews.
Archive shock tower relocate + hammer hangers = maybe one day

standard steel rear bumpers (non high clearance) and step bars are exactly the type of job that can be DIY'd by a McDonald's employee in about an hour or two in a parking lot with a handful of bolts

the less you spend on labor, the more you have for parts

 

This thread helped me through my leafpack and shock install. Video within is golden. It’s for Dakars, but process will be similar for a leaf pack.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dakar-leaf-pack-install-write-up-first-impressions.366554/

 

I found a set of used OME ARB springs rated heavy duty - going to take a look at them - might save big $ over brand new. 4WP sale was a bust.

 

As others have already said, look into a new leaf pack. I abused the shit out of my stock suspension and the rear leaf springs were basically flat by the time I replaced them.

This was OEM OR leaf pack next to Icon RXT. I went option 3 and gained closed to 6” in the rear (keep in mind my stock leafs were shot). Probably closer to 4-5” over stock once they settled a bit. I have a topper on the bed.

I also did the whole suspension on a Saturday in my driveway over the course of like 15 beers. If the entire install took me 8 hours, 4 hours of it was trying to get the leaf spring bolts out. They have the tendency to seize to the rubber bushings and refuse to come out (especially for those of us in the snow belt). Everything else was easy peasy.

 

new rear springs, and you have a cap, so add that to the weight of the rear end!

 

Ooh, that sounds painful. My stock leaf packs have 50k miles on them, and aren't too bad - and it's a CA truck. Crossed fingers I'm not fighting my fasteners like you did. Am considering the add-a-leaf since it's a lot cheaper. 4WP wanted $900 for installing an add-a-leaf and new rear shocks (P&L.)

OTOH, adding a leaf just gets me to level. Am considering a set of used ARB Old Man Emu Leaf rated at 300kg - so 2.75" over stock - so, starting from 1.5" low now to 1.25" high after.

 

I would highly advise going with those OME leaf springs. An AAL is just propping up an already shitty suspension. The difference is night and day.

Swapping out the leaf springs is a pretty simple, straightforward job. Just watch a couple YouTube videos and read a couple how-to’s. Print off step by step instructions and get to it. Do one side at a time and everything stays lined up and easy to manage.

 

I had Bilstein 6112/5160 with Dakar medium leaf packs (w/ extra leaf added) installed. With my BakFlip Revolver, aluminum bed rack and RTT, I got about 1.5" lift if I measured correctly (I went from center of hub to the flare... Was a bit confused whether to go up to the flare or the actual fender inside... If it was the fender, that'd be 2").