ARB bumper/Rough Country strut question

Been out of the 1st gen game for a long time but recently picked up 2004 4wd double cab to use as a hunting truck. My previous 1st gen that I had 15 years ago had Donahoe coilovers (which I think are Icon now??) and a Demello Off Road tubular winch bumper and it road awesome.

I cheaped out this go round on the new truck and just went with the 2.5" Rough Country N3 struts mostly because I was trying not to break the bank but needed new shocks, wanted a little extra tire clearance and had no plans on running a winch bumper. That was until I smacked a deer on the way home the other night, so now I'm getting ready to order an ARB to replace my factory bumper and am trying to figure out if I'm going to have to much sag.

Has anyone run an ARB/winch combo on the N3 struts? I searched but couldn't find anything on those struts in particular or their spring rate, I'm assuming they're probably close to stock so there will probably be a decent bit of sag?

 

You sure you have Struts ?

Then you have a strange custom Suspension

 

Stop being difficult. You know he means coil over shocks. Who gives 2 shits about the correct labelling.

I don't have an answer, but am in for responses.

I have an ARB clone bumper and some real shitty strut assemblies that need to go .

 

Strut, coilover, whatever...you can take it up with Rough Country if you'd like??
https://www.roughcountry.com/premium-n3-lifted-strut-501126.html?find=2004-toyota-tacoma-4wd-739389

 

I would imagine the spring rating on those is stock or close to it, since they don't mention it being otherwise. The weight of an ARB bumper will for sure make them sag, so you wouldn't get the full 2.5" of lift out of them.

It's not as cheap but if you pair a set of OME 883s with some 5100s or OME Nitrocharger shocks, you'll be golden. The 883s are a heavier spring designed to hold that kind of weight while providing 2.5" lift.

 

Thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking. Guess I'll start pricing those as well!

 

Not sure about that. I currently have the 881s with the ARB, going to add a winch and from the conversations I had in the OME thread as well as with Wheeler's suggested 882s. I'm going to see how the 881s sit as soon as I get the tranny back in but I expect the added weight and then the winch are going to push it way past where I want it.

Grabbed this off their site ages ago when I was doing my OME research.

 

I am in the process of putting 882s on my truck. I have an ARB bumper, a winch with synthetic rope, and a LEER shell that is full of camping/recovery equipment. I started with 880s, then upgraded to 881s when I installed the bumper/winch. It settled so much that I'm now installing 882s after less than 2 years. Discussions with Wheelers, ARB, and Cruiser Outfitters brought me to the conclusion that 882s are the correct spring for this setup. I think the 883s are the only one that has a higher spring rate. 880, 881, and 882 all have the same spring rate just different unloaded lengths. I have no doubt that the 880 and 882 springs are great but they are just not enough for a loaded V6 with a bumper and winch.

I haven't finished the rear end with new OME leaf springs and the AAL yet(cause I discovered a broken leaf) so I haven't been able to drive it, but I'll try to remember to post the outcome after I get it to the alignment shop.


In related news, I have a set of 880 and 881 springs with only a couple thousand miles on them if anyone local-ish wants a SCREAMING deal.

 

Thanks for the info, sounds like that’s the same route I need to go. I’ll have a camper shell as well, once I can finally find one, with a fair bit of gear and plan to run a winch with synthetic line too. If you think about it please let me know what you think about that set up once you get it going.