How Much Suspension do I Need?

Hey TW,

First post here and am looking to be pointed in the right direction regarding suspension.

Currently looking into suspension kits and trying to figure out a ballpark of what kits are necessary for my planned modifications and added weight.

For background, no truck yet but planning for a 2020 TRD Off-road and will add an AT Habitat, aluminum front bumper, sliders, steel rear bumper, skid plate etc.

I have seen a couple of taco builds with the Habitat, seems like they’re typically running an Icon stage 6 system or an OME BP-51 kit. If I remember right those kits are about $3.5-$4.5k.

Are those the baseline level of kits I should be expecting to handle that much added weight? Are there other kits I should look into that would be a lower price point? I am planning for this to be more focused on overlanding with the ability to off road but likely won’t be going too extreme on the off-roading.

If those are the baseline for the build I’m looking at then I’ll work it in the budget, but trying to figure out if there are other options out there that won’t compromise the vehicle.

Any input will be much appreciated from this forum noob!

 

You do not need to get a high end kit to run this type of stuff. The better suspension will be a nice add and better but what you will need to consider is how much all of this stuff weighs regardless of the suspension. Bilstein setups with an HD leaf pack will also get you going. I would go with a kit in which you can get custom valving and change out spring/leafs to match. If you are going for the full package you will be looking at a Heavy duty 1000+ over stock or likely a custom leaf pack for best performance. If you are not going do to any hard core wheeling you can save some weight as well by going with Aluminum skids or event lighter steal skids but know all of this stuff adds up. You likely will be at least 6,000 if not more total weight.

Folks can give you some estimates but ideally you will know the weight so you can get your shocks valved and springs accordingly. If you do it when you order usually you can get it done as part of the purchase price. If you do it after you will add more charges and time with no shocks on the truck.

My truck is sitting at 7,000 lbs but currently running a bunch of steel skids and swing out and 35's. If I swapped to Aluminum skids and front bumper it may get closer to 65-6700. Not sure how it got that heavy but I have weighed it a few times. Recommended custom leaf pack is 17-1800 over stock for the rear.

If you wan to get started 650-700lb spring up front and you can get any HD expo leaf pack for the rear. It still may not be enough but it will get you started. Currently running Dakar's and its def not up to par anymore. Working on getting a Deaver Leaf Pack custom to my truck.

Check out some of the other threads on Vagabond, GFC, AT, Etc and see what leafs folks are running but does not need to be the highest end setups as long as you can get them valved that will be big.

 

I have a 2020 Off Road that is set up with Decked drawers, bed rack, roof rack, tent, Camburg front bumper and winch. I didn’t add any armor besides the TRD front skid plate. I bumped up the 4600 Bilsteins to the 5100 Bilsteins. With all the added weight I lost a lot of height in the rear, so I added Deaver add a leaf which corrected that. I have noticed the rear suspension especially, takes a beating out on the trails so I am upgrading the front and rears to Fox 2.5s. I will let you know how they work out.

 

Skip the BP-51’s they are crap. I had all 4 of mine replaced for leaks are other failures. I know 3 other guys locally that had all the same problems.

 

You need a better leaf pack. The shocks are only going to do so much with that kind of weight in the bed.

 

Ah great info, I appreciate the help. Sounds like I can open my aperture and look into some other options. Yup will probably do aluminum skids to save weight, maybe steel on the front skid.

Going to go check out those other threads.

 

Agreed, I didn’t mention it in the post, but I noticed one of the rear shocks leaking.

 

@blackout14
Builds custom leaf packs, shoot him a pm

 

Must be something new. Mine have held up for a few years. Company cost effective meeting must have happened in the board room to go with the cheaper company this time to make their shock seals.

 

There are a few options 1/8", 3/16th and 1/4". the 1/4 are beefy as hell but will tack some weight. That is what I am running and considering changing it only to reduce some weight. I could prob shave 100lbs off by doing so. if you only do the front IFS then prob could go with any of them but in a full setup it adds up.

The common players will be King, Fox, ADS, higher end Bilstein for shocks you can valve etc.

You may just want to get an idea and consider a Deaver leaf pack regardless of shock setup. Plenty of folks rock Bilstein 51xx type setups but you will need that rear leaf pack.

 

Possibly I have heard this before as well. Filthy Motorsports has a good review of shock brands and they mention the more common leaking with the BP's. Chance of it with any brand but more so with them especially with heavier use.

 

I had one rear one leak/seep, but I ran/beat the piss out of it. Never stopped to let it cool down. Ran it for about 6/7 hours straight on cleghorns off chutes.

 

I got mine over 3 years ago. First one that went out had a seized adjuster ring and a blown shaft seal.