My ADD is kicking in. 2nd opinion desired

Hello TW I have been reading several build threads, looked at a ton of products and reviews but I can not make a decision on where to start. I was hoping for some 2nd opinions. Here's a bit of what I do: Camping, hunting, fishing and love anyplace in the middle of now where without many people. I have looked at many pictures and videos of people buy expensive taco's and dumping thousands of dollars into mods and they make simple trails look hard (a girl like me thought some of these "trails" were just regular dirt roads . I have yet to find a place my Taco won't go with good driving. (I'm not out to break shit and get stuck). Here's my questions. My objective is to make modifications once and not have to redo things down the road.

1st: I want to put on a winch bumper in front. I had wanted to move my winch to the front and back but with a sky jack I can hand winch from behind if I need to. My question would be can the stock suspension handle a new steel bumper, and winch? or is it going to weight it down too much? Also more body armor to come soon.

2nd: I am thinking of LT first then changing the suspension?

I want to add some protection to my truck first before I lift and add bigger tires. However if the stock suspension can't handle the new bumper I will change out the suspension first. I also questioned the suspension once I put armor on. I have a tranny skid plate and stock skid plate. Sliders, dif, and gas tank plates I will make up on a weekend.

Let me know what someone thinks so I can decide on a direction and go. I have a big trip planned in September and I want to get as many mods done before I do a dessert trip in Utah.

Thanks

 

1) If your name has anything to do with Jägermeister then I love your name.
2) Body armor will weigh down the stock suspension pretty well due to it being so much heavier than the factory bumpers, So if you're planning on upgrading to sliders, fullskids, and both bumpers then I'd aim roughly an inch higher than planned. i.e. 4inch lift should yield roughly 3inches of lift on your truck with full skids and armor.(I may be off a little though as I am not 100% familiar with 4cyl reg. cabs)
3)Long Travel is usually pretty much the end point for most people unless they go to a Solid axle swap which is a ton of work and money. But hell, if you're only gonna do it once then at least do it right. (LT or SAS)

 

Welcome to TW!

I would start with the suspension first. You seem to want to add a lot of weight to the truck and the OEM suspension simply can/will not handle all that weight.

What is your budget for the lift kit? Are you looking for a full 3" all around?

 

Yep name has everything to do with Jagermeister!

Would there be any advantage to start out with a LT, so there is no change in the suspension later by adding it? It would also save time and money for spacers? Reduce straining on CV's?

On the lift instead of using a 4 inch lift, should I just use beefier coil springs and AAL's. I have a camper shell that I am keeping and am building in storage in the back that doubles as a sleeping area for my winter camping.

 

Budget for the lift I'd like to stay under $1500 I have looked at several but I was not sure on the wight specifications. Only desire for the lift is to run bigger tires to gain some ground clearance.

 

yes, beefier coils and a more stout leaf pack would handle the weight. An aal would not though, just my opinion.

 

Go with OME. 886 front coil springs with Dakar leaf pack, if you are really concerned about weight then you can get the AAL for that pack for $60 I believe and nothing beats that leaf pack. You can get all that for about $1300 I believe.

 

You can't really get good numbers when trying to do long travel with 4x4, not as much travel as a 2wd. But I think what you mean is mid travel which is doable for you. Basically all the way up to permanent modifications.

I would do the suspension first since it will effect handling on and offroading and that is something you will use everyday. The bumpers and winch look cool and help but you aren't going to get the satisfaction on a daily basis. To me susp first you may even decide to do fiberglass and a tube bumper by then.

Bilstein 5100 ext travel shocks, OME springs I think 886 for extra weight and Dakar leaf pack. since you have a cab whole leaf pack is a must. Should be right in your budget too and like you said you buy the spring that you will use with the heavy stuff right off the bat

 

Uhm, lt is definitely possible with 4x4...

 

$1500 isn't the modification budget just the suspension. I have more than that but I would like to stay around $1500.

LT is possible for 4x4 and would be another couple grand. Mid Travel is a possibility too. Armor I am kicking around doing myself but it just depends if I can find the time to drag out the welder and get to work vs. Buy pre made an weld on.

 

Bilstein 5100 ext travel shocks, OME springs I think 886 for extra weight and Dakar leaf pack. since you have a cab whole leaf pack is a must. Should be right in your budget too and like you said you buy the spring that you will use with the heavy stuff right off the bat[/QUOTE]

I have seen the Bilstin 5100 talked about in here a lot but not much about the 6112.

 

Thought these were an FJ/4Runner application

 

As many have stated, full OME kit.

885 coils
90000 shocks front and rear
NO top plate spacer
NO diff drop
CB (carrier bearing) drop kit
CS047R leaf packs; depending on how much you haul at a time, get the

$82 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL AAL for this pack
u bolt flip kit (all-Pro)
entended brake lines (all-Pro)
New bump stops (recommend Super Bumps from Wheeler's off road)

Also suggest new UCAs

 

886's will be pretty damn stiff for a regular cab 4 banger, I mean like way too stiff. No need to go that route.

 

Fixed.

Has anyone run 887s with bumper and winch on a RC?

 

Not sure about a RC, but when I get my bumper and winch I'll be sticking with my 887's and adding a top plate spacer. I talked to Dan at Wheelers for awhile about it. I'm thinking 887's would still be too tall on a RC, I guess that depends on the weight of the bumper and winch though.

 

He doesn't say he is going to be doing hard wheeling so a u bolt flip is not necessary for him at all which then you don't need new bump stops, saving you at least $120 there. I do suggest extended break lines, got mine through toytec (stainless steel braided), not sure how much they are with all pro but I got mine for $60. Also DON't get the carrier bearing drop kit until after you install the springs and see if there are any vibes. Like me and a lot of people on here did not need it.

As for UCA's I suggest light racing for you.

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/light-racing-spc-ucas-for-05-toyota-tacoma.html

 

FTFY

 

Ohh thank you haha just noticed.