Any way to beef up the suspension and retain stock ride height?

I've got an 02 ext cab v6 with a warn brush guard and winch on the front with 155,000 miles on it. So of course this thing is nose diving. I also have a shell on the back and I'm sure the leaf springs arent what they used to be back there. I just want to know if there are any ways out there that i can beef up the suspension to handle the brush guard and winch up front and the shell on the back and be stock ride height. The only thing I have found so far is the OME heavy duty suspension lift. I would love to have the 2 in lift but the price tag on that set up is pretty steep

Anyways, I would appreciate and recommendations.

thanks!

 

No.

you have added heavy accesories to the truck, you need to add beefier leafs and coils

OME is a great way to go for your needs.

 

Umm... yes

Do some research on OME coils, some are shorter than others. I'm not sure if you can get back to stock height, but some might get you closer than the HD kit. At 155,000 miles, new coils OEM shocks and coils might be all you'd need for the front. For the rear, either a custom leaf pack, air bags or Timbrens would help manage the load and keep you at stock height.

 

Yea but even 881s give 2'' of lift

 

I'm not overly familiar with 1st Gen applications but for 2nd Gens, OME recommends 884, 885 and 886 coils but 883 will work and only give just over an inch of lift. There might be a coil like that for the 1st Gens that isn't listed as a compatible coil but will work.

Also, he might not need to beef up the front, it could just be that the stock parts are worn out. If that's the case, just replacing them with new, OEM coils and decent shocks would make a difference.

 

All 'beefy' coils and leafs I have seen will add lift. That said, OME is a great option. I had the full set on my old truck, and I currently have OME rear suspension. Even though it can seem a bit steep, it is definitely worth it.

As you can see by looking at a lot of members' trucks on here, we throw a lot of money at our trucks though so it really comes down to what you are willing to put it bill-wise.

 

880s would kinda..but if he has that winch, he should really get the 881s at least.

 

You're probably right, that winch will squat the front end a bit if he's got steel line.

OP, have you considered going to synthetic line to lighten the load a bit?

Also, something else to keep in mind, a lot of the aftermarket suspension components are geared toward providing lift so it might be cheaper to beef up the suspension using lift components rather than trying to stay at stock height. I was trying to stay at stock height and beef up my 2007 but found that it was cheaper to strengthen the suspension through lift components vs. stock height.

 

thanks for all the quick replies! Yeah, there's no doubt in my mind that the factory suspension components are worn out, especially because of the extra load on the truck. the old reason i was trying to steer clear of the OME "heavy duty" 2 in lift in the front is because of the cost, otherwise I'd love to have it. looks to me that i'll have to end up forking out the cash for it anyways...

I've never considered switching the winch line to synthetic line. how does it compare to the cable? I'm assuming massive weight differences, but are there any drawbacks to it?

 

its much much much better!

if it breaks there is not snap as the synth line doesn't transfer energy. So its safer. Easier to keep from getting tangled on the winch, no more kinks in cables!

i would def think about doing that as well.

 

That sounds pretty good to me, I'll definitely check it out! Right now i have to have a pair of welding gloves behind the seat so I don't tear my hands up with the cable when I'm pulling old ladies out of the ditch lol

 

I am in the same situation as the OP. I want to beef up my front suspension because of my bumper and winch. Custom Trail Gear and Warn Xd9000i. I would like to remain at stock ride height....could I just throw in some 5100s and call it good or would they get worn out really fast with the weight? I can't seem to find heavy load rated coils that don't provide lift

 

you can get billy 5100s and set them at .85 inches of lift, and with the weight on the front youll be only a little higher than stock.

for the rear unfortunatly unless you want to buy stock springs there isnt much you can do,
i believe dakar sells a 1.5 lift pack for ther rear

 

Put the OME 2" coils. Your front end is sagging from the weight so it is now below the stock ride height. With the added weight the coils most likely wont give you a full 2" of lift so it should bring it back up to stock ride height. Or very close to it..

 

I was just wondering if I could get by with only the 5100s without new coils. I seem to think that they would wear out faster supporting way more weight than stock. Is this true?

 

I wouldn't do just the 5100's, the truck will ride harsh because of the weight, i'd go with OME 880 coils.
You'll get minimal lift and better ride.
But would also need to get OME shocks, which adds to the cost.

 

I thought the 880's were more geared toward the lighter trucks, no? Like access cabs

Edit. Just saw this on the pagw for 882. "Note: the 882 Coil Set is Only Recommended for Double Cab Tacoma’s or V6 Extra Cabs Running A Winch & Bullbar." Which is what I have