New shocks for stock ride height, smooth ride, and carry motorcycle

Hi guys,

I've been doing some research this past month on replacing my stock suspension components. I saw a thread in the DownSouth Motorsports section with a good deal on 5100's so I figured I'd run my situation by you guys to get any additional input before submitting my order with DownSouth (I'm all for supporting our local vendors!!).

I've found that 99% of the threads I've come across are for people wanting to lift their trucks in some fashion (e.g., small lift, big lift, coilovers, blocks, etc., etc.), but I haven't really come across many threads that address stock ride height upgrades (w/ increased load capacity) that address or are similar to my particular situation.


Truck Background:
- 2005 Access Cab SR5 4X4
- ~55,000 miles on the truck
- All original suspension parts
- Original 3 leaf spring pack in the rear (no TSB)
- The original 3 leaf spring pack is no longer arched, rather it sits neutral with a slight 'W' look to it
- Stock size SR5 wheels/tires and staying that way
** I would like to keep the stock ride height

This is my daily driver and I commute about 90% highway miles, so a smooth ride over a 1 hour long drive is very important to me.

I don't off-road my truck (nor do I plan to start doing so). At most, I drive through the mountains and go camping, but nowhere that requires off-roading (mainly bumpy dirt service roads).

I DO however, load my motorcycle in the bed of the truck to take it to the racetrack about once a month during the summer. I've noticed that when fully loaded (~500 lbs with gear), the rear sags slightly.

I want to be able to continue taking my bike to the track, but I really don't want to compromise ride quality seeing as 99% of my driving is daily commuting.

After a bit of researching I've come to the following conclusion for what might suite my needs:

- Bilstein 5100's (all 4 shocks),
- Custom 4 leaf spring pack that maintains stock ride height

Do you think my stock SR5 coil springs suffice for this (again, no lift, stock ride height)? I'd have a hard time believing the coil springs themselves are shot with only 55k on them, but I could be wrong...

Do you think this would be a good setup for what I use the truck for? If not, can you give me some other recommendations (I'm open to other brands too)?

I'd like to get this ordered and installed (I'll be installing myself) sooner rather than later, seeing as the racetrack has 1/2 price specials during the winter and I'm itching to take the bike out!

Thanks for the advice guys!

- Gary

 

Sounds good to me for your setup! I'd do this and call it a day.

 

I thought the TSB springs would fix the sagging. out of warranty now?

 

The custom leaf pack would be a great idea but also pricey. Have you thought about something like airbags to suppliment your stock leaf springs? Your front coils are fine for stock ride height. It's the leaf springs that suck.

 

x2 what Brock said, he's way out of warranty. Plus, the TSB leaf springs still aren't great. A custom leaf pack would be a HUGE improvement over the TSB leaf pack.