Getting ready to lift and I have a few questions...

Happy weekend all. I’m ready to lift and have a few questions. I ran a full OME suspension (with stock UCAs) on my 2010 which was a much heavier overall build than I’m doing on my 2020. That said, for the performance/value aspect, I’m strongly considering another OME suspension, but this time upgrading UCAs.

Stuff installed: light front bumper+winch, rear bumper, full aluminum skids, steel rock sliders, tonneau cover on the bed.

1. With the lighter weight bumper and synthetic-rope winch on the nose, which coils would be best?
2. I’ll be towing an expedition trailer or light camper soon. Which rear leaf kit would be best?
3. Upgrade the UCAs or not, and any recommendations?
4. Does this provide enough clearance to run 285s without trimming (my ultimate goal)?

And, now to open the can of worms... is there significant benefit of Icon, Fox, or other considering these almost double the price.

Thanks a bunch for any thoughts.

 

just my humble opinions here...

OME 886 handles weight better, but from what I understand, the third gens have a 700lb coil from the factory, so 660 lbs may soften your ride a bit anyway while still handling the weight you’ve already added.

If you’re going to be towing, and you’re considering the OME leaf pack, might as well go heavy duty, you can always remove a leaf and make it the medium duty pack if it’s too stiff for your needs.

Third, 2.5” diameter shocks like icon/fox etc. will “fade” less than the slimmer OME/5100 shocks will, however, for 95% of us tacoma owners they’re overkill. I have icon shocks, love them but I could have saved some coin going with 5100’s because I don’t need/use them to their full potential. BUT if you’re into rebuilding and not replacing shocks, you’ll save over the life of the truck. If they make sense for how you plan to use the truck, then yes, they’re worth it.

Clear as mud, i know. And you’ll get 500 different answers (including use the search bar) but that’s my .02

have fun with your new build!

 

That’s a dang good idea I had not considered. A perfect example of why I love TW!

 

There’s a common saying around here. Buy once, cry once. So many people end up upgrading from The 5100’s and other cheaper lift systems and get in to the coilover systems. I would highly recommend a coilover system, full leaf pack or at least a 3 leaf progressive add a leaf to safe some $$.
Go in to the suspension section threads. Most of the info your looking for is there.

 

1. All depends on type of ride you want. I run a slimline bumper, winch w/synthetic and full steel skids. I started on OME shocks with 886 springs and recently upgraded to kings with 700 lb springs. I prefer a stiffer ride and surprisingly my Kings with 700lb springs ride softer than my stiff OME shocks and 886's. I'm guessing its from the valving in the shocks.
2. Full pack but may want to consider air bags to supplement the leafs.
3. You should be ok with stock UCA's with up to 2" or so of lift.
4. This more depends on wheels but likely 285's will rub at some point. Possible just some plastic or more. A lift can help prevent rubbing from normal driving but reverse may still rub even with a lift. If your just wanting around a 33" tire 255/80r17 or 255/85r16 would likely not rub at all regardless of the lift.

 

Agreed. I’m considering nothing LESS than a full OME kit. I’m just considering if there is value of doing more, and validating this would allow 33s with no trimming. The 4.88 gears are just begging for 33s.

 

The nicer Fox, Kings, and ADS shocks are 100% worth it, maybe not to you and your use case, but they are absolutely worth the extra money. I would personally do the medium duty Dakar pack since you're not planning to add that much weight and they will more than sufficiently handle what you're looking to add while not impacting your ride while you're not towing. If I needed a little more support while towing, I'd get something like the timbrens or maybe airbags (airbags stiffen up your ride a bit too much for my liking but do work) However, as said, you can get the HD packs and if they're too stiff (spoiler, they will be ) just remove the overload leaf.