Suspension Pic and questions for 03 Ext 4WD

I bought my truck with 285 75 16's mounted on original wheels. I recently put new tires on my truck (285 75 16 Cooper AT'3). I do have very minor wheel rub at locked wheel turn forward and reverse. Nothing major. I knew the tires were over sized when I bought the vehicle 3 years ago, but I just thought that the truck itself (no lift) accepted that size. Now after reading many posts on here, I believe it has a spacer in front?? My suspension is original with 300k on it, and I know it is way past it's due point, and is harsh on potholes. Seems like something is vibrating from the coil at idle, squeaks, and rattles on bumps. I def plan on getting an upgrade very soon. Can someone please tell me if this i s a 2" spacer??? It's about an inch wide. I guess I need to take a pic of my leaf spring also, because I am unsure if it has an add a leaf as well?? I'm looking at the Bilstien 5100's with the OME spring from Wheelers. I'm sorry for the stupid questions. I am new with this so please have mercy on me.

 

The 'puck' in your picture is the spacer lift. If you go with the 5100s (good choice IMO) don't expect much change in life, however, the ride quality will change dramatically if you have 300k on the current setup.

 

Thanks

 

That looks to be a 1" spacer that nets you about 2" of lift.

 

Another Question: Is this an AAL on my truck?? If it is, can anyone maybe guess what size it is?? Meaning how much lift it is if possible?? Thank you for your input!!

 

It's got an aal for sure. They are usually good for an inch or 2. I had one many moons ago, gave me 1.5in of lift and rode awful. I got rid of them after one broke after getting a load of firewood

 

I GREATLY appreciate the response!!! Yes it is a little rough in the back.

 

So with that being said, would better shocks help the ride?? I have Pro Comp shocks on there now. Would the Bilstien 5100 in the rear help, or it will pretty much stay a rough ride??

 

Better Shocks will help but AALs are known to be stiff.

 

Ok. Thanks

 

Get the Bilsteins on all 4 corners.

New shocks will definitely help your ride.

In fact, scratch that. If your front suspension is original with 300k on it, replace it ALL. I'd go for the OME kit. comes with shocks, coils, leafs, all for about $1200, and you'll get about a 2" lift or so (depending in which springs you get. Then, make sure you get an extended rear brake line, a diff drop kit if you're a 4x4 to keep your CV angles in check.

Make sure you get it aligned when you're done.

 

Thank you for the input. I am definitely going to change the suspension

 

With the new OME suspension, put those spacers where they belong: The trash.

 

Funny!!!

 

@borg1736 we are working on very similar projects right now. I’m pulling the lift out of mine and got rid of the 285/75/16s as they would rub on full turns & bottom out on deep drainage swalls - with stock bumper & flaring, could never get sufficient clearance.

With 265s (factory) the acceleration and top end increases. The 285s look “bad ass”, but noise & too much lift is what made me get rid of them. The tires alone take an inch out of the lift as the 285 are roughly 33”, versus 31” for the 265.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...po-lift-to-near-factory.552609/#post-18009495

Not saying @jbrandt ’s suggestion is bad from Wheelers, but I’m doing the same for about half the cost. If my “super cheap” rear shocks & pre-compressed front springs/shocks are too cheap ($150) - not much lost to toss & put in better.

When I called a local spring manufacturer - Brute Springs, Buffalo they said an extra leaf would add 800lbs capacity (per side). They had OEM in stock, but when asked if it would lift, the rep said they’d unlikely be able to get more bend in it.

Right behind the front cab mount on the frame I’ve 17-3/4” clearance. Right in front of the rear leaf mount (where there is a rectangular cuttout) I have 19” clearance (with the 2.5” blocks).

 

We definitely are. My tires were expensive and only 6 months old, so they are staying. Plus I do love these Cooper AT'3s. They really have a smooth quiet ride. I am very impressed with them. I am going to pull the trigger this week. I have spent my entire weekend on my laptop looking up a bunch of stuff. This site is AWESOME for information!! I am def. going to go with 5100's all the way around. I do want at least a 2.5" lift in front, then do the diff drop kit as well. (just replaced both of my axles, boots, etc,) I am going to just have wheeler's mount the coils for me. It will be done right and no headache for me. Worth the money in my mind. I'm not sure what coils yet... probably OME. I want at least 2.5 inches or a bit more. Under 3 inches. I was planning on just calling Wheeler's and have them help me out with what I want. Most everyone hear seems to use them, so that seems to give me piece of mind as far as trust. Right now my leafs are not badly flattened, just a stiff ride. I am guessing it has a 1.5" lift, it sits pretty descent yet. Hoping that the 5100 shock may help a bit in the back for the time being. I will just get the full leaf after that. I heard Wheeler's may give a discount to folks who belong on this site?? Does anyone know?? Also, I have spent a good bit of time looking for wheels. The stock wheels need to go. They are in grate shape and will be for sale soon, lol. Do you or anyone know what offset and back spacing I should go with on my 285/75/16's?? And of course with at least a 2.5 inch lift up front and 1.5 inch rear? I know there is a sticky on this and several posts. I do want my wheels out a bit further from the wheel well for clearance and of course looks. Not a lot. Not looking to spend 200.00 a wheel. Something somewhat traditional or a clean look. I guess I need to know as I am doing a lot of this this week??

 

BTW, my tires only rub a little at full turn with my stock rims. They have not bottomed out at all, but I also do not rock crawl.

 

I did also install a full K&N air intake and a throttle body spacer. My truck was a bit more peppy after that. Seems to help quite a bit. It's not a supercharger, but I def did notice a difference all the way around.

 

Boots & axles? Or just boots? I need to replace boots. Did you DIY? If so, how difficult?

Snap a pict of your front diff... not sure if mine is stock or it has the drop kit. Pict included.

Not even sure what this air intake is, but it adds pep. Pict included.

Mine has 2.75” blocks - replacing with 1” - as you see above (even with my flattened/frowning leaf springs) there is 1.25” of rake. I’m hoping for 1” rake when I’m done - for $45 I got 1” blocks & U-bolts which is as much as it would have been to order the U-bolts with the leaf springs. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alloy-Rear...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Without doing anything to the rear, think you’ll be riding headlights to the sky. Not sure how you are reading things, but gut tells me shocks themselves should not be giving lift. They are to dampen, not support load like springs or leaves. Don’t rotate your tires (like me) and you’ll see how fast a Tacoma’s front end weight wears them out. I’ve some aluminum 16” rims - not sure if they were a factory upgrade or aftermarket, but they look like sh!t and I won’t pay for new rims.




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I’m semi tempted to do a “used oil” rag rubdown of the undercarriage. I’ve 10+ quarts of it from changing all the fluids to Mobil 1 this weekend. Hey, Rex is jobless now - ExMo can use a bump!

 

At @borg1736 - did you happen upon any threads or discussions of complete bushing replacement kits for OEM vehicles?