Need Opinions on Suspension

Hey fellas.

Looking to replace some suspension components soon. With bed empty, do these leafs look like they need to be replaced or could I get away with an AAL?


Front and Rear are components are being replaced as well. Sticking with stock (Baja) Bilstein 6112 Front Bilstein 5160 Rear

Thoughts/recommendations are appreciated.

 

From the pictures and what I know about leaf's I would say yes. They don't look to have the curve they should. I could be wrong

 

Hey TacomaWorld,

It’s been a while since the original post but the time has finally come with the need as well as the funds.

I’m looking to upgrade my suspension as well as my brake set up.
My plan is to keep the current “stock” Baja suspension with the Bilstein 6112 up front and the 5160’s in the rear.
I want to keep my 650# coils from my current set up if possible.
With 130k miles on them, would you think I’d need a new set?

I don’t plan on adding anymore weight up front, so I won’t need heavier and I enjoy the firm on road ride, so I don’t want to go any lighter.
I love the way my truck rides on and off road now even with all the miles on them. Just not sure if I need to swap em out for a new set or not.

Since the front end will be apart, I plan on upgrading the brakes as well. Going with the Stop Tech (Cryo) Power Slot rotors along with the TRD pads and wheelers SS extended lines.
Do I need the extended lines with my suspension being at or over the 2” lift mark?

For the rear end, I already have the 5160’s installed. I just need to replace the stock leafs. This is where you guys come in. I’ve read for months now all kinds of different info on what matches up with the stock Baja suspension set up.

Could you guys give me a little feedback as to which set of leafs would be best for me?
I off road a few times a year. More higher speed, not crawling. I also use the bed to carry weight a few times a year as well as pulling a 6x12’ enclosed CarMate with my bike for track days.

Also, would the Ubolt Flip kit make sense to add? Should I go with the super bumps as well or will they just lessen my travel or are they just not necessary for my driving style?

Excuse my ignorance to what is right and wrong here. I’m very indecisive when I know about what I’m deciding on and when I don’t, it’s worse. Lol Getting lost in these forums is something I’ve been doing for years learning about what I want but my ideas have changed and no one set up is exactly the same as another on here.

I plan on installing all myself and i’m limited on time with work and it’s getting cold out. So, I really want to make sure while I have my truck in pieces that I get everything done at once.

Any suggestions is appreciated.

 

Hey man!

The stock Baja suspension is absolutely great man and if you want to keep that type of ride going, you can still buy replacements from online Toyota shops. The coilovers don’t come pre-assembled though, FYI. And the coils are sold separately. And there’s no top hats so you’d have to purchase a new pair.

The stock length brake lines from Wheeler’s will work fine. A few of us such as myself who have the 1” Toytec spring seat spacer on the Baja Bilstein’s have kept the stock length brake lines.

If you want to absolutely keep the stock ride, you could try to check with your dealer if you’re eligible in getting the TSB leafs done. Otherwise, the most versatile and smooth ride appears to be the Icon RXT Leafpack. Option 1 for the RXT’s may be the best out of the 3 options for you.

Yup, I’d say go for the U-bolt flip kit with the Super Bumps! The Super Bumps really help cushion bottom outs. They “appear” to lessen travel but they actually compress to the same height as the stock bump stops. It’s progressive feeling, and not jarring like stock can be.

 

SUPER helpful. I actually had a set of icons in the cart. Just wasn’t too sure of the option I should go with. I really appreciate the input.
Ordering the rotors, pads and lines tomorrow.

Thanks for the heads up about the plates.

For the coils...I see wheelers has em assembled with 650#option This work?

 

Those are “similar” but not exactly the ones that came stock on our trucks. Ours reportedly are Bilstein 9100’s tuned by TRD of course.

 

SOB. What do you think would be the best route to get the closest to identical feel?

 

In my experiences(and you’ve likely seen my many experiences in that thread lol!), nothing will feel like the original. The closest setup that I had that felt like stock was another “stock” suspension, the 3rd Gen TRD Pro Fox’s. Don’t waste your time with it though if you’re not looking to lower your ride height up front. Just to recap on that, the front TRD Pro Fox coilovers netted me from center of hub to bottom of fender about 21.” Our Baja’s measure out to about 22.75” from factory, so yes, it dropped my front significantly. Rode absolutely great! Just gave me a rake that I wasn’t after.

Anyways, here’s the part numbers to our Baja Bilstein’s if you wanted to start searching some of the online Toyota shops:

Front Struts
PTR13-35120-AF
PTR13-35120-AB

Coils
PTR13-35120-AA

Rear Shocks
PTR13-35120-AC

 

DUDE!!!

Thank you so much! I definitely would like to keep this driving feel and not willing to go lower. The fact that this suspension set up went well over 120k with the way I drive on and off road is amazing and would love to have this second set up do the same.

Also, thanks a bunch for the part number info!
I’ll be looking up these pieces and ordering by the weekend.

 

The best price I could find so far.

Struts $296.94

Coils$103.89

After speaking with my local dealership, they quoted me $650 per side for all parts, with labor at $149/hour.

I’m looking at $399 without a new top plate from bam wholesale parts.com

Does this site seem legit?
All of the dealership links I’ve clicked on all have the same website layout for these parts.

 

Never heard of’em. Did a quick look-up and they have average reviews.

The Toyota sites all have identical layouts, it’s just their physical location and prices that vary. McGeorge usually has the cheapest prices as well as shipping! That dealership labor is pretty steep, but I assume that includes alignment? If you know of a reputable shop in your area, you could purchase the parts online(I’d stick with a Toyota shop) and have that reputable shop do the install

 

Correction. Dealership service manager just called me back.

$1,852.96 ALL PARTS w/coils and top plates
$1,335.18 without coils (wouldn’t replace unless they are visual defected with rust.)
+$129 for alignment.

 

That’s a steep price for coils, $500+/$250+ each. I’d personally replace the coils but that price is hard to justify.

Come to think of it, that total price for everything is still cheaper than what my dealership quoted me a couple years ago lol

Edit: After factoring in the alignment cost, it’s about the same ballpark lol

 

Shiiiiiiiiit. I was definitely banking on it being around 1k for parts. Per side is a bit steeper than planned.
Plus the leafs and brakes!
Ohhhhh maaannnnnn

 

I completely understand the concern of having the dealership perform the suspension refresh as they’d warranty their work, but the suspension has spoken for itself and proven its reliability this far man! You could for sure opt in purchasing the parts online and getting a trusty shop to do the work for you