When to replace suspension components?

Hello everyone,

As the title suggest I wanted to know if there are any signs to be looking for when it comes to suspension wear and tear. I recently bought a 2011 Toyota Tacoma with 66k miles or so, and now I'm up to 73k. When I examined the suspension system, it seems that in the past it was sprayed with a black coat of paint, either A) to cover rust and/or B) prevent rust or further rusting.

I really don't want to go to a mechanic or someone else to try to have them bamboozle me. I have decently solid at home mechanical knowledge, and I'm also looking to grow it. What bothered me during inspection was the paint seems like it is coming off, which is more than likely due to the rust. I can provide photos later if needed.


So either way its probably coming to due time to replace some of the components, and if I do I'd rather go with something considered an "upgrade." What are the main parts that are typically replaced, and do airbags really soften the ride? Furthermore when I read about lift's I saw that some lifts are for looks, but take away from handling, any feedback on that?

V6 4x4 DCLB

Driving Conditions

• Daily Driver, highway and city roads.
• Seattle, WA area for climate.
• Truck visits mountains routinely for outdoor trips.
• Trucks sees Forest Service roads.
• Not looking for a crawler, but I would like to be able to take a nasty trail or two.
• I own a house, so the most the trucks bed will see is lumber, or my motorcycles etc.
• However, I still want to be able to tow, or add a camper, or a tent.

I truly appreciate this assume community, and thank you in advance for any feedback.

- Luke

 

Replace it when it is broken or if you want to upgrade.

 

Simple and too the point. Thank you.

 

Fellow long bed owner and Seattle resident. When you do decide it's time for upgrade contact @HeadStrong Off-Road for best prices, free shipping and stellar customer service. There are a million opinions on suspension systems/setups. If you want good entry level you can't go wrong with Bilstein shocks and Old man emu springs.

 

So lets say I want to add a bumper and winch in the future, once the cash amounts. Would the OME and 5100's suffice?

 

Yes and no. These types of suspension are a strut and lift coil combination. You can change out the coils, to a certain degree, if the needs change down the line. If you try to build it out now for possible future modifications then you can sacrifice the ride quality for the time being.

I am also from the Great PNW! A wonderful place to be.

 

Depends on the spring. 886's are meant for use with a bumper and winch and give around 2.5" lift. But the ride with those springs without the weight will be very stiff. The springs them selve are reasonably priced so you could swap them out at a later date. I had 5100's and 885's for a while. The ride was better than stock for sure. I only got about 1.75" lift with those springs so I addded a 1/2" spacer and was a solid 2.5" lift.

 

Hi Marie, my new suspension is AWESOME. Thanks again for all your help.

 

You Sir are very welcome and thank you for your business

 

First, thank you both for responding to my questions.

Secondly, so they way I'm understanding this, is I could go with Bilstein 5100's and either 886's or 885's. If I go with 885's then I can enjoy the softer ride, and then upgrade to 886's if the need is there all while maintaining the 5100's?

 

It also comes down to how much the winch and bumper weigh along with an other additional components that may be added.

 

Correct.

 

@HeadStrong Off-Road I'm currently browsing your website. Thank you for helping out. This community is awesome.

 

BP51's and Dakars sitting on 285/70/17's. Pay no attention to silver canopy it will be MGM soon.

 

@Juforrest this is exactly what I want! Enough that it can still do a truck's job, but not so high that I should have just bought a full sized truck.

 

You are more than welcome. If you have any questions about what you see or if you don't see what you are looking for just let me know!

 

Almost a year later @Juforrest and I refreshed all my memory. Lol now I’m thinking 5100’s and 885’s with space.

 

You won't be disappointed with that set up at all. How does your rear suspension look? The shocks and leaf springs.

 

Or 887's. 885's will be around 2" and 887's will be around 2.5".