How Would YOU Go About Fixing a Front End Sag (Heavy Bumper)

I added a 200lb steel bumper to my Tacoma and now the front end is sagging. I’m looking to fix the sag — not trying to lift the truck high or build a hardcore off-road setup. (A inch or 2 lift is cool tho lol)


I’m considering two options:


Option 1: Install Bilstein 5100 shocks, reuse my stock coils, and set the 5100s at 2.5” to bring the front back up.


Option 2: Keep my stock shocks (they’re still in good condition) and just upgrade to Old Man Emu 886 heavy-duty springs to better support the bumper weight.


My goal is to fix the sag properly without overcomplicating things. What would you recommend?

 

Springs counter weight.
Pre-load is just a bandaid.

 

If your choice is anything but springs its wrong.

 

Then take the bumper off?

 

i got trail gear front and engo 10k winch (170lb totalish) and i ordered old man emu
sport shocks + their heavy duty springs, going to end up like 2.5-2.75 front lift eventually
with rear medium dakar (i have rear bumper and sliders as well)

 

I would recommend stronger springs. If you put the 5100's at 2.5" mark you already putting excess strain on the shocks. Stronger springs will properly support the extra weight and may provide you with a longer front-end life and more comfortable ride.

 

More spring, better shocks with no preload.

OE shocks are not valved to control heavier springs.

 

The previous owner of my truck installed a big heavy ARB bumper and used spacers above the spring and 1.5 blocks in the rear. The truck sits level and I'm happy with the look.

 

It may look good, but it doesn't work good.

 

Heavier duty springs is the only correct answer. They are what support the weight of the vehicle, the shock is there to dampen the spring motion over bumps. You will probably want to upgrade the shock as well at some point to ones that provide the proper amount of dampening for the weight and spring rate but springs are a must first.

 

Do it once, do it right. Good info in posts above. Get the right springs, and get shocks engineered for those springs. Otherwise, you'll be doing it again, and soon.

 

6112 has the option of HD springs for front steel bumpers.

 

First thing I would do is measure the distance between center of hub up to fender edge, to determine how much the front end dropped with 200 lbs. It was about 20.5" at stock weight.

You make up most of the height drop with higher spring rate coils than 2nd Gen stock coils.