Shock Length Question with AAL

I am installing the Toytec 2" AAL and will be on stock TRD bilsteins until i get my shocks in.

I want to get as much flex as I can out of the rear end with stock springs and those 2" AAL's, I can rework the bumpstops or whatever I need to do. I can also change brake lines or whatever is needed. Currently on 285/70/17's, but going to a 275/70/17 MTR Goodyear.

What shock and length would be best?

I prefer ICON's because that they will be going in the front at tax return time, but really i can put anything in there.

Most websites i see have them listed only as 0-2" or 3-4" lift ect.

 

I think the standard shocks are fine, as you're not actually changing any of the travel of the leaf pack, just the height. So in effect you're losing a little down travel since you're changing the resting height. So I'm like 90% sure you'll be fine. If you really wanna test it, Throw your AAL on there, unbolt the lower shock mount and jack up the truck...if the bottom of the shock is up past the axle, then yea, you need longer shocks. If not...you're fine.

 

I have some Bilstein 5100s for sale that work with up to 2.5 inches of lift in the rear. They are a great shock. At the time I was running them with a 2in AAL and the tires(285s) rubbed the rear wheel-well at full flex....

 

I think he said he prefers Icons, but is asking if his STOCK TRD shocks will be ok with a 2" AAL until he can get his ICONS

 

No, i am asking what shock i should buy for the most flex with stock springs and 2" AAL's. I don't want to limit up-travel unless it is worth it in down-travel gains.

Are those 5100's the same length as stock?

 

^yes they are. with stock springs and a 2" AAL. you're not really limiting anything. You're fine with stock length (OEM replacement) shocks.

 

To get the most out of your suspension, you should install the AAL, remove the shocks and flex out the rear, taking max. droop and min. compressed measurements and figuring out which shock maximizes suspension travel. Give those measurements to someone at a place like Downsouth Motorsports and they can recommend you a shock. Maximizing travel means you might have to extend your bump stops and brake lines though.

 

OK, I'll try this.

I wasn't sure if the spring will travel further down with the AAL's installed, I'm getting shocks anyways and might as well make it flex the best it can.

 

The Tacoma leafs will downtravel for days, the shock usually being the limiting factor. Keep an eye on the stock brake lines when you do this, you don't want to stress them and risk breaking them.

 

I love my rear ICON reservoir shocks!! They ride like a Lexus at highway speeds!!

 

Your stock leafs won't flex far enough to worry about brake lines...

Thing about a 2" AAL is that its right in the middle of needing longer shocks...its almost not quite enough for longer shocks, but its still too short so you'd have to worry about bumping off the shock, which in turn would just be limiting up-travel.

Like it was said above, unhook the shocks after you have the AAL installed and measure how far the axle travel is at the shock mount. Then you'll know if you really need longer shocks or not.

 

If I need to, I can change the bump stop or add a bump stop landing plate so i'm not using the shock as one.

Its almost like you need to get longer shocks and move the top bolt higher.