Help with stiff suspension

Hey guys, I'm new to TW but have been searching this site for years for advice and tips - so I really appreciate all the insight! I've been researching this specific subject, and "think" I have a good idea of what to do, but wanted to see what people thought. I haven't made any changes to the suspension, so not sure exactly what I have based on what the previous owner has had done.

Current Set up:
- 2006 TRD Sport Double Cab w/ Diamondback rear cover (use RTT on bed)
- Tires: BFG K02's 265/75/16 Load Rated E, 40psi
- Front Suspension: Bilstein 5100 set at the 3rd notch (see photo)
** Not sure of Coils
- Rear Suspension: Bilstein 4600?? (48530-AD050), Unsure of Leafs (see photos)
** The previous guy also had some airbags installed that are empty (see photos)

The biggest issue is the rear suspension especially is SO STIFF! Like when I hit a small pot hole it just hits. People riding with me go "Ooof! What was that!?" Not exaggerating..

So, what can I do to soften the ride?! I would love to get a lift on it as well, and have been reading about doing 5100's all around with the OME 885's up front. But do I need to replace the existing set-up up front? I'm not sure how old it is. I've had the truck about 3 years. Or should I just replace the rears with 5100s and see how that goes? I don't want to spend a ton of money to not fix the problem.. Do I need new leaf springs too?

Again - I will have an RTT on the rear bed, and also will be installing a new Prinsu rack with the option of RTT up there. So I don't want it to not be able to hold that weight.

Hope that makes sense! I'm not really sure what to get, so any help would be great!

 

From my research, it seems this kit below is what is most recommended?

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...tein_5100_Kit_w/_Dakars_(HS05BK-1-Dakar).html

Just don't know if I need all of that??

 

I would send @HeadStrong Off-Road a PM with your set up aspirations. Like how much weight you plan on carrying most of the time, tire size, lift, leveling, etc. I’ve used airbags before, unless you’re fully loaded they are pretty stiff.

 

You may not have to replace the 5100. IIRC, the clip settings should be set to “0”.
You need to ask this question when ordering. As it looks, like you are not on “0” setting.
Look to be at lest the 3rd setting?

Here is the manual for a general idea of what I’m try to explain.
https://productdeskapi.cart.bilsteinus.com/media/products/bilstein/E4-WM5-Y323A00.pdf

Here is a link on the 885’s and 5100
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/5100-bilstein-885-ome-combo.417905/

 

The leaves look like stock TSB leaves, and the offset airbags look like they have cradles under them and are not riding over the axle. I bet you are bottoming out on the airbag mounting hardware, and personally if they are not holding air and you are not using them, I would remove them. It seems the leaves have very limited take up. Load range E’s can be aired down a bit- 40 is pretty high for no load, but I bet the airbag setup limits your upward axle travel. If you are going to use the airbags, they should always have a little air in them- 5lbs each ish.

 

That is a good call.
All the Air Bags I’ve installed (not on Tacoma’s) have a minimum pressure.
It could be the Air Bags are limiting travel.
Even more so, if there is unseen “hard” parts inside the bags we can’t see?

 

Hey Guys!

Thanks so much for all your help! I went ahead and removed the airbags (good thing too, they both had cracks in them and didn't hold air anyway) and that helped tremendously! Muuuuuch smoother now. Thank you!

However - now I'm still intrigued with the idea of lifting the truck AND I don't want to lose the capability to tow or to sag much when loaded down with the RTT and gear and such. So my question is should I keep the front Bilsteins, order new OME 885's for the front (re-adjust them back down to 0 with the new springs), get new Bilstein 5100's for the rear, and a new leaf set to level out the back with the front? I've seen a lot of discussion back and forth between the Dakar set and the 3-leaf AAL set from Headstrong. Is there a big difference?

Thanks again for your advice and help so far!

 

Go full leaf pack, especially with a consistent load.

 

I’ll agree.
I read many times where guys went from AAL to Full pack.
Never see anyone say they wish they had kept the AAL.

 

I am very surprised that @HeadStrong Off-Road is specing the B110 5100 with a collapsed length of 16.34in with either of the Dakar packs. I literally JUST installed (no joke like 1 hr ago) some 5125's with a collapsed length of 15.01in (Bilstien part

$131 33-230337 Monotube Shock Absorber, 46mm

33-230337) on my truck that has EL095R (Dakar Mediums). Measuring tape doesnt lie and with stock bumpstops there will be ~.5-.75 in of shock left as the bumpstop contacts the frame.... Needless to say those B110 5100's are too long. Unless you spaced out the bumpstop which will limit your uptravel.


EDIT - for the OP id vote some EL096R's (Dakar Heavy duty) packs and the 5125's mentioned above in the ass end of the truck. As far as the front, OP already has 5100's, if a softer ride is desired, some lift coils instead of adding preload should do the trick.

 

Good info there. Shocks never work good as the bump stop.
There was a famous pic floating around he of what happens when you use a shock as the bump stop.

 

As other have said go leaf pack. Not the cheapest option but will be so much smoother on your butt. I’ve ran stock-> TSB leafs-> Add a leaf->Firestone airbags -> Deaver custom leafs pack. By far the packs were best. Comfort wise, second to that was my stock set up when the truck was new.

 

I got the eibach pro lift kit going on for my 2012. Got the front set up at 2.5” (highest) I got the 095R pack going in. The rear shock is good for a 0-1” lift should I just go with the 5125’s and try to sell the eibachs

 

Also, as mentioned in another post here, try letting a little air out of those tires. Even with the E load tire, I'd run them at about 35 in front and 32 in back unless you're hauling something with a little weight to it.

 

Find someone who’s selling their brand new TRD OR shocks and spring off their brand new truck and put those OEM parts on yours. That’s as smooth as she’ll get without going extended travel Kings or the like.

Also, go get P rated +1 size tires and don’t over fill them. After that, whelp, it’s a Pickup.