Affordable upgrade suspension ??!!

What’s up TW I’m new to the forum! A little info on my truck I got a 17 off-road4x4 SB. I’ll mostly be using the suspension for towing aluminum boat and motorcycles and occasional wheeling looking for a 3 inch lift and 33 inch tire fitment. Suspension I’ve looked at is the stage 2 from icon!

 

Bilstein 5100’s with ome 887 springs I believe is a very popular combo. I have icon stage 2 personally but have ridden in plenty of 5100 vehicles and they are very nice.

 

Any additional parts I would need for this ?

 

Along with 5100 and 887 coils
Going to also need a med, to heavy duty leaf pack to get the 3 inches in the rear or go with blocks (Not recommended)

 

I suggest the OME dakars. Nice, strong, and quiet. here's a link to read up on them: http://www.oldmanemu.com.au/products/emu-dakar-leaf-springs/

 

You shouldn’t with the 5100’s. If you go over 2.5” or so you would need new UCA’s. But I’m on icon stage 2 lift with 2.25” of suspension lift and another 1” of tire and my alignment is still within specs.

You may need a needle bearing from east coast gear solutions if you get the rouge vibration but I have not gotten that yet either.

 

Yes, the higher you go the higher probability of running into trouble with your needle bearing. The 5100 is a good choice, but keep in mind the 3rd gens come 1” higher than the 2nd gen so we already have a default “ 1 inch lift.” So adding 2” of lift is really giving your truck 3”. I’m sitting on 1” all around. 5100 up front set on the third notch (1.1”) and a 1” block In the rear. I didn’t expect it to turn out super amazing but I was more than happy with the results. The tires are 32” so I gained an additional 2” of lift from the tires alone going from the stock ones. If you can afford the icon though go for it! Very reputable brand.

 

Ok, I don't wanna be "that" guy but....... I've seen this multiple times now from folks with 3rd gens. Your truck has a ride height 1" higher than that of a second gen, but that is the height from the factory so if you add 1" of lift you only added 1" of lift not 2". Is your truck now 2" higher than a 2nd gen? Yes. But it's still only 1" lift on your 3rd gen.



I'm sorry if I am coming across like a dick, it just needed to be addressed.

 

Also looking at the 5100s and 887s...

 

Correct. We’re still on the same frame and same dynamics as far as I know however so any problems that 2nd gens could have with 3” you’ll have with 2” is what I’m getting at.

 

I agree with you. It isn’t a “default” 1” of lift. It is factory height. Icons website states that the stage 2 gives 3” off lift on a 2nd gen and 2.5” on a 3rd gen. It’s not like we have a free 1” lift, it’s just how our trucks came. I didn’t take that into account with my lift

Yea, I know with icon they specify on their site that it is 3” for 2nd gen and 2.5” I think for 3rd gen. I have mine just high enough to flex, but not close to maxing out my uca’s cause the ride to me was unbelievably rough with the front up at the full 2.5.

 

I did the 5100's as well on the third notch. Haven't added anything to the rear. Any regrets going with a block vs. add a leaf or leaf pack?

 

Block ended up being a little bouncy in the rear paired with KO2’s at 38Psi so I went with an AAL and it stiffened it up a bit!

 

FWIW, I just had Toyota do the free spring replacement on my 2nd gen Tacoma with a Toytec Ultimate lift. I took the opportunity to install 2 inch rear blocks instead of the AAL that were installed with the old lift. I like this set up much better. Also I have zero noise or vibration. I have the 6ft box on my 2007. Perhaps this issue is more likely on the short bed due to wheel base and Drive shaft angles.
Anyways there was not much left of the old leafs, even the AAl was broken at the centre pin on 1 side. Never did like AAL even back to my Helix trucks as the stock leafs are so distorted that they fail if you put any loads in the box, or tow a trailer.
Next i will install air bags as it is a work truck...had them in a 92 pick-up and they were awesome.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

I have the 5100/887 setup with dakars. Big fan.

 

More pics!

 

Isn't it only a 3/4" lift from the tires because stock sports are 30 1/2" tall so that's a 1.5" total increase in tire size but because it's a circle you have to cut that number in half, making it an actual lift of only 3/4"?

 

I've just ordered 2nd gen bilstein 5100 with 888 springs with LR uca and 3 leaf aal for rear. From head strong off road.
All for just over $1000. I have 3"/2" level kit right now with 33" tires and don't like the ride at all can't wait for the 5100 to come in.

 

Are you reverse raked with the 1.1" in front and nothing in back?

 

It was until Friday. The rear of my Taco was about 1/2" lower. When i first lifted the front i had about 1/4-1/2" rake. I kept the 5100's but swapped the stock coils with Eibach pro-lift coils and paired them up with SPC UCA's. Also added a Toytec mini leaf pack to give that rear end a lift. I have about a 1-1.5" rake now. Took it up to the mountains today and all i can say is that I'm very happy with my setup now!