Suspension on the Stock 2WD Toyo

Hi Guys,

Been reading on this forum for the last month and decided to post up a few questions I have been left with in doing some TLC planing on my truck. Most of what I am finding is for 4WD applications, or large lifts on the trucks, nothing really for the daily driver that hauls motorcycles occasionally.
Aside from the 1st Gen DIY guide, the lift guides, and some random searches on other 2wd suspension Q's: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-rear-suspension-not-lifted-need-help.368251/#post-10048763

I am starting to look for some guidance and experience from others that have possibly been thinking the same.

I am working on a stock 1999 single cab, 2wd, 2.4L Tacoma, with 15" rims, currently at 135K ODO. She has been a daily driver and motorcycle hauler for the last 5 years, bought her with 75K ODO, and now the suspension is showing it's age. For this I am looking at doing some preventative maintenance as well as replacing the worn parts.

Overall for this project I am looking to keep the height at stock, or possibly accepting a 1" lift depending on the parts used. I am thinking that replacing the worn parts will improve my ride height, since the rear leafs are sagging and the front is worn...

So far my ideas are:
-Replace the ball joints, inner and outer tie-rods [with what is available at the autoparts store]
-New bushings on the steering rack and sway bar [with Energy Suspension poly bushings]
-New shocks [Bilstein 5100's or Bilstein's 4600] Torn between the 5100's and 4600 since this truck is used 95% on the street and 5% on logging roads.
-New Front Coils, No clue since staying with OEM doesn't sound like the best option with the 5100's, but Eibach springs are for the 6 lug models. But want to replace the Coils when I replace the Shocks.
-New Leafs [Old man EMU] Like the idea of a new leaf pack, but not sure if the options out there are going to lift the rear, or if OEM is going to be best.

I am budgeting around $1000.00 for this project, but of course staying under budget is also great. I am still working on a price out for most of the options that I have considered, but what it comes down to is that I don't really off road my truck and don't need the lift, just looking for a good on-road ride when hauling or empty.

So the big questions that I have are:
- So what Shocks will work with the 5 lug trucks. I have read mixed things stating that Bilstein 5100's and 4600's are for the 6 lug only. Some of the parts searches on vendor sites only list the 4600's for my Model, but others have stated that the 5100's only work in the rear? At this point I am looking into prebuilt Coil/Shock combos that would make doing the replacement easier.
- What leaf kits do you guy's know about that are mostly to keep stock height, but could help on ride quality with a motorcycle in the back.
- Any recommendations on the front coils? Should I go with OEM or is there a better option
- Any other bits of wisdom on suspension for the 2WD 5 lug?
- Or should I just go with just replacing my suspension components with A/M or OEM options to keep the truck stock?

Thanks in advance!
-Al

 

Subbed. Interested in what ball joints you end up using, as I need to replace them on my 96 2wd 5 lug sometime.

 

I have a 1995 Tacoma, 2wd, 2.4L, 5spd, regular cab. I just recently replaced inner and outer tie rods, upper and lower ball joints,(Amazon) sway bar end links, (Prothane suspension) and Bilstein shocks (Tire Rack) all around. Did the toe in wheel alignment with the jack stands and string. It has 175,000 miles and it handles and rides very well. I replaced 4 tires with new Hankooks, which probably helped with the ride. The KYB shocks were a bit soft for this particular year Tacoma. Although in the past I've had good performance with KYB's in other vehicles.
If you're a DIYer, it'll take a day, but it's well worth it, if you plan on keeping the vehicle.

 

All good ideas but IMHO I'd say stick with 4600s for the front and rear unless you plan on lifting the truck more than 2", in which case 4600s would be too short. 5100s have a very similar ride quality but they're a few inches longer than 4600s. Rear 5100s will still work, you'll just have to buy different sized bushings (PN: 9.8142G). Front 5100s only work if you make or buy a barpin eliminator kit.

I really have no idea about aftermarket leaf packs or coils but if you're looking for an inch of lift, Toytec makes an adjustable 1-2" shackle. I don't think anyone else makes 1" shackles. Also OEM 5-lug V6 coils will give you 1" of lift up front. That's pretty much all the info I have, hope it helps.