Greenhorn seeks suspension advice

OK I know you have heard this all before. Forgive me for being redundant. I have read 100 or more threads each with their own opinion or favorite. I get that. All experience I respect. So Please work with me here as I seek your mass advice.

I have a 2007 Double Cab 4wd Shortbed. I use it for around town driving mostly but I'm preparing for a long term back country trips discovering off the trail gems in the American West. Im considering buying a Shutt Industries off road trailer for the tent and supplies however likely will start with just the truck.

My first thought is 3" lift with possible body lift . My quandry is should I buy a full kit like the Toytec ultimate that comes with coilovers and Billistein 5100s or something more piece by piece such as coilovers and then whole spring assemblies such as the OME dakars. (This is where you all laugh at me)

I admit my naivety and ignorance. Im baffled by all the info in this Brain Trust. Please help me make prudent choice thats best bang for the buck. Appreciate it in advance

 

Here are some questions you need to ask yourself,

1. What size tires do you plan on running?
2. What is your budget?
3. What kind of accessories do you plan on adding to the truck?

 

Kind of depends on your budget..
If you go to downsouth Motorsports you can pick and choose your own custom mid travel kit from different brands. The mid travel kits are higher end coilovers though.

 

Thank You for your reply. Do you have a Reccomendation?

 

Well honestly I have very low miles on my 265/65R17 Micheliens that cost about a grand so would like to run them out (if they dont make me look like a bafoon) Ideally will purchase new that fit the Build. I'm not thinking Gonzo size. But new rims and tires would follow. It seems you can get a bit larger with custom front bumper arrangement. Like as large without hacking the truck up. Reccomendations gladly received

 

Again I admit my lack of knowledge. Green as Green can be

 

1) Being in the suspension forum would be much better than just in the 2nd gen forum.

2) you do a better job than most describing your usage goals, which is a critical factor. If you were even more detailed in your planned usage, it would be helpful. (like how 'offroad' you mean may be very different that someone elses definition) Because every choice you make for off road gives some compromise to some other use of the truck. Since you won't have a dedicated, purpose built truck, parts selection and compromise are important factors.

3) budget is important. Doing most things right isn't always cheap. But once you have a purpose in mind, you can save up and do the right parts the first time, rather than patching stuff together

4) Don't start by selecting parts, lift heights, etc. Those are the answers. Start by defining what you need. Do you know why you do (or don't) need certain sized tires (bigger isn't always better), body armor, a winch, etc etc. Once you spell that out, it will make a difference in your suspension choices.

5) and all of that together will have a hefty price tag. But worth it if you use it.

 

Accessories on the wish list. Winch/ Brush gard assy., rock sliders, Tent/accessory structure to support tent, jack shovel, gas cans etc. Rear bumper possibly with tire carrier. just to name a few. maybe a kayak too

 

Thanks Bill. Clearwater beach is a national treasure. Never did a forum before. Kind of seat of the pants here. The main thing is want to be able to get to "off road" locations but not looking to be a rock crawler or extreme travel conditions. Cost prohibitive. Great advice. just starting on the Build direction. Its build my truck or by an Indian Chieftan. Cant carry a kayak on an Indian

 

These these guys probably spent quite a bit on this build. But, I think it gives you plenty of ideas to build off of. It's a capable, reliable, truck. If I was going to mod my Taco, I would probably do an Old Man Emu heavy duty 3" suspension, either 265/75/16 or 285/75/16, sliders, a swing out tire carrier rear bumper, a mild front bumper winch set up, and possibly re-gear the truck for turning those bigger tires.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...coma-Build?highlight=Expedition+overland+2013

 

2 months ago I was in your shoes----initially I was gonna go all in and go with entry level Icon set up, the whole thing, but then decided against spending 3k+ for a suspension I would never fully utilize, I'll never drive 50+ miles an hour through desert roads, then I said I'd go with the Bilstein 6112s up front and the 5160s in the rear with a new LR UCA, but that setup was $1700, and though I could afford it, my research here showed that a lot of guys here are more than happy with the Bilstein 5100s front and rear, I got that and didn't have to buy new UCAs, the whole suspension was less than $500 because I installed it all myself, I got some 17"wheels, some BFG AT KO2s, and the whole setup wheels, tires, suspension was under $1900, but that doesn't include installation, just hardware. Good luck.

 

I have a similar setup, but the OEM version with progressive AAL in the rear. OP take a look at the Baja link in my signature. The goal of my build was to be more capable off road without sacrificing on road performance. 3" is really tall for the IFS, you will be making sacrifices in ride and wear. Staying near 2" (which is stock on the Baja/Pro) and upgrading tires +1" (to 265/75R16 or 265/70R17) grants you 2.5" more ground clearance than stock with very little downside if done right. This in only .5" less than your doing a 3" lift and staying on stock tires. Also a 2" lift will not require UCAs, whereas a 3" lift will. Low cost UCAs start at about $400.

Keeping stock tires on a 3" lift is going to look small. Also, there is zero point to a body lift other than stuffing larger tires in there, so if you are not planning on running seriously oversized tires, there is no reason to stack a body lift ontop of a suspension lift.

 

To all of you kind people who responded to me long ago my deepest apologies for never responding. I kind of spaced out everything about my whole membership and all that goes with it. I've spent the last 20 years caring for both my parents and often it takes all of my focus and attention. I fulfilled their dreams of staying in home until they passed so now that they are gone I will be more dutiful in my responses to evryone who kindly offers me assistance. Again my deepest apologies