1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Strut/Shock & leaf spring combo - 95% on road, light towing and minimal lift

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by rmorit_DC_04, Mar 2, 2016.

  1. Mar 2, 2016 at 6:57 AM
    #1
    rmorit_DC_04

    rmorit_DC_04 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2015
    Member:
    #162948
    Messages:
    157
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2004 Double Cab - new to me in 2015
    ARE Tonneau Cover
    Looking for views on what combination of rear spring and struts/shocks to put together based on my needs - truck is a 2004 double cab with 85K miles currently on Cooper Discovery AT3's (265/70R 16) purchased October/2015.

    My main use is 95% on road and 5% would be fire/dirt roads to get to hiking/hunting spots, along with towing of an early 80's glastron inboard boat (about 2,200 lbs boat and trailer). I do lots of highway driving with runs of about 200 to 400 miles every other weekend.

    I am looking to achieve a great on road/highway drive and good towing as my primary concern.

    Truck currently sits at 34.25 in front (measured from ground to wheel arch) and driver rear is at 34.75 and passenger side is at 35". I currently have an ARE cover (tonneau) on the truck and about 200lbs of sand/tools in the bed. I plan on removing the tonneau and going with a softtopper to cover the bed in the future. Will be adding a front hitch (to move the boat around) and rear hitch or an allpro rear bumper for the extra protection and hitch option.

    I have researched 3 rear spring packs with all good on road reviews but with various combinations of shocks/struts/spring combinations - no lift General Springs or 1.5" lift with either the wheelers 5 pack or the Deaver J59s. Currently I favor the Deavers based on the reviews though wheelers 5 pack also seemed like a good option though it was harder to find reviews when I searched.

    For struts and shocks it seems the pairing would be
    1. OME with 881 or 880 springs (not sure which would be used for double cab)
    2. Rancho QuickLifts 1.75" with adjustable dampening (nitrogen 9000 series) - my thought is I can adjust for towing and firm up the rear when needed
    3. 5100s in some adjustable form like toytec (it was hard to find info on 5100s and spring combinations for double cabs)
    4. ICON coilovers (though I live in Wisconsin with salt roads and it is unclear how often they would need to be rebuilt).

    Looking for opinions in two areas - if money were no object is the hands down combination ICON with Deavers? Since money does matter, what other combination would you recommend for my situation or some alternative I haven't listed based on my use.

    Thanks for opinions.

    Picture of my truck when I bought it off the lot

    IMG_20150829_121308_119ff041a3a1c360dcc7004bb39c12e0aa4fed92.jpg
     
  2. Mar 2, 2016 at 9:47 AM
    #2
    Buckoma

    Buckoma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2013
    Member:
    #96125
    Messages:
    1,060
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Buckeye, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD Sport 4x4
    I believe the Deavers are not a great choice for towing, just based off what I've heard about them being soft.

    Up front, the OME 880s with OME nitroshocks would probably be a good fit. You might as well get the OME Dakars for the rear, they are pretty good too.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top