Help with struts

Hi guys
I removed the maxtrac lift from my prerunner and lowered the truck 4 inches. I am keeping the Bilsteins 5100's with OME 883's and they give about 1 1/2 lift to the 2wd. The truck was aligned yesterday. But now I feel every bump, crack or imperfection in the road (Houston, TX) and it is really annoying and irritating. I think maybe my struts are too stiff? Should I change them and if so, what do you guys recommend for a 2wd prerunner for 1 1/2 lift?

 

Perhaps "shock absorbers"? Tacomas don't have MacPherson struts...

My 2015 DC with an OME kit rides like a d*mned buckboard with no load in the back. No amount of tire pressure adjustment has been able to resolve the harshness of the "heavy" springs I specified. But with my aluminum, tonneau cover, camping gear, and rooftop tent mounted in or on top of the bed, those springs are barely enough.

It's been a lot easier to zero in my Gen 1 than my Gen 2. The Gen 2 suspension seems seriously touchy, at least in ARB/OME-land.

 

Did you have the print out from the alignment?

 

I also removed the top overlord from my dakars. Could that affect the front suspension? I had no idea that could happen! BTW, I have an aluminum tonneau cover too.

 

Sounds like you need “more” shock absorber up front to tame the stiffer OME springs.

 

The 883 are only 590lbs rate. The oe coils are 600-650 so I don’t believe that’s the issue. Does it feel stiff or likes it’s wandering on all the little bumps and imperfections?

 

They couldn't give it to me when I asked for it because the printer was broken and the picture they sent me shows the numbers blurred. In other words, the normal inefficiency of these days!
The truck doesn't ride too bad, except for the bumpy ride and the same wobble in the steering wheel that I've had for over 5 years and several sets of tires and balancing. Tomorrow someone is coming to check the steering rack!

 

What tires and tire pressure are you running, @sblspawn? Tire sidewall compliance is one of the best ways to affect ride quality.

 

Stiff, I can even feel a bug if I run over it.

 

Brand new Pathfinders AT SL 265/70r17. Road force balanced twice at Discount tire. I went back from 285/ 70r17.

 

I don't know, as far as I understand the OME 883's are not that aggressive. They didn't feel like that when I had the maxtrac spindles and 285s tires.

 

How convenient the printer was down. Well heck. Do think it’s a coil issue as I mentioned the 883 has less spring than a factory coil. As someone mentioned what’s the tire pressure.

 

883s are a 1st gen coil for 4x4 for starters. As such, it is a very stiff coil. Go the the ARB site and plug in your truck spec for fitment on 2nd gen prerunners.

https://store.arbusa.com/front-coil-spring-set-2886/

You can download spec sheets from their site to help you focus on comparing 2nd Gen options.

Is your anti swaybar installed?

Are the shock mount top hats still stock and in good condition? Are the shocks new or used? I had an issue with a missing OEM spacer once. Post pics so we can see the install.

Also I know jack shit about 2wd/prerunners.

 

35psi cold

 

Sway bar is installed. The truck is my daily ride mostly on streets and expressways. I got Bilstein 5100 and they should be by now around 22k. Florida and Texas truck. No rust anywhere. The top plate is in very good condition.

 

Waaaaay too much. Should be a lot closer to 28 without a load. Check you door sticker, and adjust for whatever tire spec you have. The least ambiguous target pressure for optimal wear/footprint is the chalk test. Thread on TW is availble.

 

Yes, as a cheap and easy experiment, try dropping the pressure as @scocar suggests.

I’ve never completely fixed ride quality issues with tire pressure, but I’ve sure improved it.

 

I agree. I run the same tire op Pathfinder AT in 285 and run 30 front and 28 rear.

 

I will try to lower the tire pressure. The original tires were 245/75r16 and the sticker on the door says 30 psi. But I wonder how that will affect my already bad mpg and acceleration?

 

Those are the ones I had before. I have them in the garage. Barely new. I thought that by lowering the tire size and the suspension the truck would ride better. Big mistake! It was all for nothing because now it ride worse. Less wandering on the expressway, yes, but really uncomfortable on the shitty Texas roads.