Replacing front coilovers on already-lifted truck

I know this has been done to death, but I'm looking for suspension help.

I don't know very much about it, but I need new coilovers. I've got blown Fabtech FT2300s in front and a mystery "Northwest Offroad" leafpack with Fabtech shocks in the rear.

It's my daily driver, ext cab with the V6 and a tube bumper. No extra battery and no winch in the near future. I'd guess the bumper weighs 60 lbs, but I haven't removed it to weigh it.

I do easy trails, more than fire roads, but nothing crazy, I'll hit 50 or so on dirt roads around southern AZ.

I measured hub to fender height:
Front Driver 22"
Front passenger 22.75"
Rear Driver 23.75"
Rear Passenger 25"

I've got more rake (1 3/4") and more lean (1") than I'd like.

I'm not dead set on OME, but I think I want a linear spring and I can't rationalize Kings or Fox or ADS.

I talked to 1st Gen Offroad and he recommended 883s to level it out, but they seem overly stiff for the weight I have in front. I think 882s and having a slight rake would be a better choice, but I don't know how much rake that would be.

I plan on leaving the rear end alone until the leafs get tired or the shocks blow.

 

Dig around suspensionlifts.com, they have 4-corner sets that include pre-assembled coilovers as well as lift options, responsive support as well. Mine from 2023, no issues, but I kept it as close to stock as possible.

 

That sounds good, I'll poke around.

I'm people on here can help me figure out what I need and don't need (do I need 2.5" body shocks or will 2.0" do? Will I benefit from monotube?), and what I'll like for the driving I do (am I right that linear is best, or would I like digressive or progressive? Are the OME coilovers my best bang for buck?).

 

Budget?

 

I'd take a look at the Fox 2.0s. They usually run about $1200 for a set of front and rear shocks, and the fronts are adjustable height. The adjustable height piece is really nice to dial in the exact stance you want and even out the Taco lean.

My friend has the Fox 2.0s on his '98 Tacoma and I think they ride better than my 2.5 Icons.

 

I'd like to keep it under $700-1k, but I could go slightly more for the right solution.

The 2.0s just have less shock oil than a 2.5 and will heat up faster, right? Is there any issue with running Fox 2.0s in front and the Fabtechs in the rear?

 

You can't go wrong with OME or Bilsten 5100s... Fox 2.0s are nice if you can swing it. 883s are too stiff- you'd need a heavy bumper and which for them to make sense.

You can upgrade the front and rear shocks independently of each other, but I can guarantee that those rear Fabtech shocks are well past their EOL. While most people obviously apply, "if it's not broke" mentality to their shocks, they really have life spans in the 50-70k range, and should be treated as consumable as opposed as to items that are good until they blow a seal.

 

Sounds good. I probably can swing it, it's just a question of if the $400 should be put into the new exhaust I need, or something else the truck will need. I've never ridden in a truck with Fox or OME, so not much to compare against.
Would 882s be better? It seems like OME isn't selling them anymore, they have a new system that adjusts preload based on the weight.

That's probably true. How do I figure out what shocks to pair with my mystery leaf pack? Looking around, most rear shocks say they only accommodate a 2" rear lift. I suppose I'd need new shackles or to pull another leaf.

 

Considering that with those blown out Fabtech springs in the front, the rear end still measures higher than the front, means that leaf pack you have already has lift in it, or something else has been done to lift the rear. The Fabtech kit is usually the front coilovers, a +1.5" single leaf aal, and some cheap ass shocks.

Do the front first, then sort out what level means for the back.

 

That sounds like a plan to me. From the research I've done, I've got the NWOR heavy duty leaf pack (3" lift), unsure which shackles.

For coilovers, now I'm torn between the new OMEs, the Fox 2.0s, and the Radflo 2.0s, open to other options. I don't think I need a 2.5" body shock, and I can't rationalize the cost at this point. I know the Fox and Radflos will be nicer than the OME, I just don't know if they're worth the extra $400.

Edit: I don't know if the truck's too much of a shitbox for the gucci shocks, maybe the OMEs are the way to go.

 

I hope you don't have lift shackles stacked on top of a 3" lift pack. Do you have a shell, or carry a lot of weight to justify the HD pack? I bet that thing rides like crap without weight over the rear axle.

 

I hope not too. I think I probably don't though.

I don't have a shell or carry a lot of weight. The PO said he did it so he "wouldn't get any sag" when he was towing his camper. The leafpack had the overload leaf in upside down, so it was always riding on it. I removed it, and it rides better now, but I wouldn't mind a little less lift. At this point I'm trying to fix the immediate things first.

 

I've done some more research, I think I'm just trying to decide if the Radflo 2.0 coilovers are overkill for what I do with the truck and if I should get the OMEs.

It's a daily driver, moderate trails on weekends, maybe hitting 60 mph on Arizona backroads, but more washboard than whoops.

 

I'm going with the OMEs. Has anyone here tried the new OME Nitrocharger Plus coilovers? If so, what's the weight of your truck, what perch did you use, how much lift did you get, and how's the ride?

 

Nevermind, back to the drawing board. There isn't a ton of info on setting up the OMEs and it looks like I can get the radflos for $1k, so probably worth it.

 

Ordering Radflo 2.0 non-resi ext travel coilovers on Monday, ordered a pair of JBA UCAs today, whiteline LCA bushings are on the way, just gotta check my cam hardware to make sure it isn't seized.

Ended up spending a little more than I wanted to, but I'm getting a setup that should serve me well for years.

 

I have a set of Icon 85615 coilovers for sale if you want. There 2.5" ext travel with 650lb springs.

 

Aw shoot, thank you, but i've been recommended no more than 600 lb springs and I'd like a linear coilovers ideally