Front end suspension is done and alignment is shot - upgrade advice wanted.

I was told I needed new bushings but I'm pretty sure I need more than just that. The front-end suspension hasn't been touched in I'd say 100k miles, but I might be exaggerating. I just put new Bilstein shock absorbers on the rear end after one failed and I really need to deal with the front end now - I just don't know what to get.

I'd love to do long travel, I already have the fiberglass fenders for it, but I can't commit 20k at the moment to go that route. If there is a way to do it affordably, please share. I don't know if I should stick to whatever is stock for my "factory lift", or try an aftermarket kit, and if so which one? Whatever I get, I want to retain 4x4 capabilities. I essentially only have hand tools to do the work myself, if a kit needs a welder or shop, please let me know so I can try to figure out costs.

I've got a bad back, the roads around here are crap, and I'd like to be able to drive the truck in Baja with confidence. Lots of dirt roads and washouts down there. I'm hoping to find a solution that will provide a comfortable drive on and off road.

My front end was creaking when in reverse, and now that noise has stopped but the alignment has worsened since the noise stopped. instead of the steering wheel being slightly tilted right to go straight, my noon position is apx 2-3o'clock and sometimes wiggles back to 10-11 as the truck seems to follow the unevenness of the pavement. When I drive there is significant play in the steering wheel and its nerve-wracking at high speed, so I drive slow for now. I can post pics of my worn suspension if that helps.

I think I replaced one lower control arm a few years back and that should still be good, but its old enough that I don't feel bad if I replace it along with everything else with something new.

What is the cheapest route to get my truck handling and steering properly again, new bushings and shock absorbers? What would be a moderate upgrade if it's better to spend money vs time on burning out rubber and pressing in new bushings? Could the play in my steering be a separate issue, and if so, what should I check? I know things have changed over the years (archive garage shock mounts vs bed cages) and I am open to suggestions (I really don't want to chop my bed down the road if by some chance I can do LT affordably). I've been looking through info online but it's a bit overwhelming and I appreciate the input from the community.

Hopefully I have posted enough info to get the ball rolling and if the job is too big to do myself, at least I will have a better idea of what is needed and what I can expect to pay.

 

It sounds like you have two goals:

1) To address the steering issues you mentioned.

2) To make the truck ride nice on and offroad.

#1 - could be many different things. I'd inspect the following items in this order:
1) LCA bushings
2) Outer and Inner Tie Rods/Steering Rack
3) Steering Rack Bushings
4) Steering Column (for play/slop)

#2 - Many people may recommend Bilstein 4600s or 5100s, but they're just okay. If you really want a comfortable ride, I'd budget quite a bit higher and spring for higher end (King/Icon/Fox/ADS) mid-travel coilovers on the front (and you may just want to get a set of them for the rear too). That won't come cheap though (could easily run $2500 or more).

 

I recently put 5100s in the rear that weren't too pricy. In the morning I will check the wheels for play that could be from the hub or tie rod. In the meantime, I will take your advice and look up how to check the steering rack and column so I can inspect that as well. Are the shocks you mentioned bolt on, or will I need to have mounts welded on? Thanks!

 

MOST if not all ‘mid-travel’ kits are bolt on. The above mentioned shocks are bolt-on replacements, usually. Replacement UCA also bolt-on. Now if you go down the rabbit hole and start gusseting the coil bucket, spindle, alignment cam tabs…you’ll be looking at needing a grinder/welder. As mentioned previously, bushings/balljoints would be a good start to look over for wear and to consider replacement.

 

Here's how to check for and fix any slop in the steering column. Pretty easy fix and this is pretty much bound to happen to your steering column eventually

https://youtu.be/xsOptgpfshg?si=4Q2eqxbv5rhDUvXF

 

And for the steering rack bushings, I'd have someone else turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch from underneath to look for any movement in the steering rack itself (look where the rack attaches to the frame). This would tell you your rack bushings need replaced

 

OP. Do you weld?

 

Says in the 2nd paragraph that he does not.

 

Kings suspension, new LCA/steering rack bushings, Total Chaos UCA's, call it a day. Throw in some OEM LBJ's for peace of mind.

 

Budget? you could get a long travel kit with some king shocks for 6k.

 

OP,
You are getting some good advice above. Given the "100k miles" since any work has been done to the front end of your Taco and your bad roads, I would highly recommend that you change the LBJs on your Taco before you do anything else unless that box has already been checked. The "self-destructing" design on our 1st Gen Taco LBJs has been very problematic. It is relatively easy to bolt on a new set of OEM LBJs fastened with OEM black bolts. Most all the other repairs/upgrades needed can be done as time and money permits. .02

 

That tac weld made my heart clench . Maybe a shim could work if I get to that point.

I can swing $6k. My concern is the budget spiraling out of control. I also need to figure out what it would cost me to do a factory repair/rejuvenation of my suspension so I have a baseline to compare to. I don't want to balk at $6k if taking it to the shop to put on OEM parts would cost me $2-4k. When I do work myself I can put cash in my mental piggy bank, divide costs over the years of ownership and get a better idea of value.

 

I did the tac weld on mine. A good friend of mine did it to two of his Tacomas. Many others on here have done the same. It works great and I've never heard anyone have a negative outcome with it.

A full front end refresh (using OEM parts) could easily cost up to $3k in parts alone (and that's before you add new coilovers into the equation). Ourisman Toyota parts (out of Richmond, VA) tends to offer the best online pricing for those.

*By full front end refresh I mean new UCA bushings, LCA bushings, Upper and Lower Ball Joints, Sway Bar End Links and bushings, Outer Tie Rod Ends, Steering Rack replacement (if needed), and perhaps new CV axles (if needed).

 

I found this kit for $4500, any thoughts or recommendations? I believe it needs shock absorbers and maybe mounting tabs welded on?
1st Gen Tacoma Long Travel Suspension – BTF Fabrication

 

Looks to be all bolt-on minus the limit strap tabs and maybe reservoir mounts. Shocks will run you about $1300.

 

I would recommend getting your steering issues saved before doing suspension upgrades. It'll keep less variables out of the way of solving that equation

 

Thanks. someone told me the suspension was the issue, but I haven't checked everything else first to be sure.

 

Yea rule out the obvious steering components first. To me, it really sounds like steering rack bushings could be the culprit

 

Thanks, I'll work on that first. In the meantime, I found a LT kit on the used market under 3k but it looks like it was for a 2WD Tacoma. Will this work with extended brake lines and axels, or is anything else needed? Does it still look viable, is there anything else missing, and what's a fair price to pay for the missing axels and brake lines? Thanks again!

Used Total Chaos long travel kit with upgraded steering and icon 2.5x8 long travel coilovers with remote reservoirs and 600lb springs. Icon coilovers recently rebuilt by Cox shocks with new reservoir hoses​