Suspension suggestions for a (sometimes) loaded truck

Hi All,

I've been reading this forum for months, and I know this comes up frequently, but I'm wondering if you had any suggestions on suspension. I sent the below note to one of the recommenced suppliers on the site with no response. Trouble is, I'm also in Canada, so part numbers would be helpful...

What I have:
2002 tacoma, 4 door, with the frame replaced 2 years ago ( along with new, stock leaf springs).

What I do with it:
I drive the kids around the city with it daily - but often in the summer months I race dirtbikes, and well as light of-roading + camping ( towing a lightweight boler camper trailer).

Sometimes, I have 3 dirtbikes ( 1 full size + 2 kids bikes ) in the back - about 400lbs + pulling my trailer -- see pick.

What I want to do:
- lift the front about 2"
- lift the back about 2" ( I like the factory rake)
- Since I sometimes carry all that weight in the back, is it a good idea to install airbags in the future? I hate a sagging back end, but don't want a harsh ride around town.

My initial thoughts...

I would like to purchase everything needed at once.
- bilstein 5100's all around
- appropriate OME front springs ( and have you supply assembled)
- an "add a leaf" for the back
- longer brake line ( if you think it's needed)
- diff drop ( if you think it's needed - i've heard mixed reviews)
- whatever new hardware I may need

Any suggestions?

 

Airbags are definitely the way to go, imo.

add-a-leafs generally just increase the springs rate (which gives you the lift), but that makes everything stiffer, too. Unloaded, it'll be stiffer than normal. There are some 3 leaf add-a-leaf systems and those are definitely better than the single leaf ones.

If you drive it around daily without any weight in the bed, and drive around empyty MOST of the time, I'd get your lift settled (unloaded), then use airbags to maintain the proper ride height when it's loaded.

5100s are great shocks, and a good budget way to get a bit of a lift. I had my 5100s on the middle setting (~1" lift) and an extended shackle in the back (with stock leafs/coils) and that worked great for a while, but was pretty much a bandaid fix for worn out springs.


On a side note, I can't believe you fit 3 dirtbikes in a doublecab. I struggle cramming to (plus gear) in mine, lol...