another newbie suspension post, but help a girl out, please

What size tires are you currently running?

 

What he said. Generally if there’s a suspension question thread, it’s this company and this lady that gets mentioned.

 

It's in the original post, but 285/75R16

 

It is not stock.

 

Welcome . Great looking rig

 

Partly due to rust concerns, I ended up going with 2.5" ADS with reservoir front and rear with medium Dakars. And Timbren bumpstops. Although I added these as an afterthought, subsequent events have made me glad I did.

 

Thank you so very much for your recommendation @eurowner It means the world to us!!

 

+1 for Headstrong. I got all of my stuff from them and when I upgrade my suspensions further (because, as I have now learned and accepted, owning a Tacoma is a psychological condition), I am headed back to Headstrong.

ps-Their jerky is also pretty frickin' good, imho.

 

Welcome! What they said. Head Strong Off Road did not win vendor of the year on TW last year for nothing. While there are tons of good sources for answers to the questions you are asking from what I have seen on TW, Marie gets mentioned more than anyone else when it comes to suspension questions.

 

I don't want to be a naysayers, but what you are describing may or may not be affected by a suspension upgrade.

The lift you have, and most out there lift the cab off the frame so won't help with ground clearance at all.

Lots of great advice on options, but some are very expensive and should provide better / more comfortable ride, but may not address any of your problem areas if the root cause is elsewhere.

I was advised not to go above 3" lift, but others have done so.

Upgrading to 33" tires (285) is likely something you can do with current lift. That will give you about an inch and a half more clearance.

 

I'd stay away from RC kits, I've heard they're bottom of the barrel quality. Try Bilsteins, lots of people rave about 5100s and they're cheap but give you 2-3" lift. Old Man Emu is an option too and I've heard excellent things. Unfortunately rusting suspension is just a facet of being somewhere where roads are salted in icy or snowy conditions - no shock, spring, suspension component will be totally immune over the years you'll have it - that being said I've heard Nitrocharger (OME) shocks last a while without rust. Keep a roll of quarters for self-serve car washes and rinse your truck to the best of your ability if you can.

Typically speaking cupped tire wear is from worn suspension components. It happens because your tire is bouncing up and down during every day driving. A spacer lift might(?) do this because it's limiting proper travel, and defective shocks can also cause it. Tires can also cause rubbing if the truck hasn't had a cab mount chop. 285/75r16s are notorious for rubbing the cab mount.

Where I live, northern British Columbia (high cost of living, amenities, etc) a full Old Man Emu kit is only $1400. New shocks, new springs, new leaf springs for the rear. Add some upper control arms to aid in your alignment if you're worried for $500-700 depending on brand. You could also consider a Fox lift, which I will be doing. Those start around $1,700 USD and go up to $3,500 with addition of compression adjustments, oil reservoirs for the front and rear to help cool shocks at high speeds or constant washboard. But again - you need to keep them clean if you're dealing with salted roads.

For what it's worth, despite being in Canada I will also probably use Headstrong Offroad because prices are cheaper even after conversion than the prices I can get in my province.

EDIT: Consider finding someone you know and trust to help you install a lift yourself. Avoid shop fees, order from Headstrong with free shipping to the lower 48 states, and learn a bit about your truck while you bullshit with a friend or two.

 

I second this. ADS is worth a look with the sound of your needs

 

Peter,

Did they do the work for you or did you just buy the kits from them?

 

No, I am across the country from them. My buddy installed but only because he has a lift. I was there with him and most of it is pretty strighforward. The only part that was challenging was the UCA bolt.

I am one of those guys who researches a lot before deciding on something like a suspension upgrade. Marie at Headstrong answered a ton of my questions with great knowledge and professionalism. She was instrumental in me arriving at my final setup, and it delivered basically exactly what I was looking for suspensionwise.

 

Good deal. Not surprised in the least. I’ve heard nothing but good things about her.