REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

It ain’t worth it. At least keep the 2nd gen coilovers on

 

Can someone please school me on how to get my truck level with a 3rd gen suspension and ARB bumper with winch and later a real metal offroad bumper rear & camper shell.

Stock 2007 TRD Offroad

I have a complete 3rd gen suspension + single deaver add a leaf pack installed on the 3rd gen leaf pack.

Before I tear it down install it and get it aligned. What front lift pack/levelling kit would I want?

The ARB bumper weight noticeably brought down the front suspension on it in stock form I imagine the weight of the winch next and camper top and beefier rear bumper will bring the rear down too.

I was thinking 1 inch lift pack upfront plus add a leaf may level it to near stock form?

Thanks

 

a take off 3rd gen Off Road set of springs will not keep your truck level with an ARB and a winch. Once you start putting armor on, the spring are not meant for that much extra weight, you need to be looking at aftermarket springs for both front AND back. Adding a leaf, with practical, only puts a bandaid on the already know to be weak rear springs that WILL sag especially with that much extra weight with the camper. Adding a spacer up front will compress the springs even MORE that stock form and lessen your travel on an already front spring that has a heavier spring rate from the factory.
So, if this is a camping rig and you want to enjoy it and keep this truck for a while, Buy once, Cry once!! With a set of aftermarket springs, your ride will be better and your enjoyment will be better and your aesthetics will be better....

edit: go look here and you can customize how much weight youre adding up front and in the back and get an idea of what you need. There are vendors on the site @HeadStrong Off-Road that would also help you put a package together for this exact need. You will need to know the weight of the armor and winch as well as the camper.

https://**********/products/ome-nitro-2-3-inch-lift-kit-for-tacoma-05-15?variant=46738736972016

 

As much as I'd love to buy an OME nitro 2-3 inch lift it's not in my budget for $1500 I've got more like $50 for some 1/2" spacers, free add a leaf I got and dirt cheap 3rd gen suspension I got for $150 bucks.

The ARB unloaded without winch only settled the front a little bit so far after a few weeks.

I figure I can run this for a year or two then when I have the clams get a sick KING or OME setup. But I'm just planning dirt roads and camping so far.

I figure I can abatement the winch dropping the front switching to a synthetic line too. Worst comes to worse I sell the kit used and take a hundred or so dollar hit on lost value and alignment.

If the 3rd gen suspension adds 1 inch upfront, a half inch in the back and I add a leaf in rear making it 1.25 inches, 1/2" spacer up front I'll be a little over stock, compensate for the empty ARB and be good on it for awhile. The leer Fiberglass camper didn't noticeably sag my rear when I had it on so I figure I'll be good.

Thanks tho, what was the deal linked it wouldn't load on my end but I googled the url info to get an idea.where I saw the $1500+ lift kit.

 

Was about 17 or so with the added weight springs. OK, so if you already have the OR springs and an add a leaf, and the front hasnt sagged too badly, adding a spacer will help pick the nose up some but your ride will suffer. If youre OK with that, thats the route I would take.

 

I'm a complete dumb assignment and repainted my 3rd gen leafsprings before taking note of which side was which. One had yellow markings and the other had white markings, now mine are completely black rust reformer........

Would anyone thats has a set of 3rd gen leaf and be able to tell me which side/color letters has the 5 stamped on it on the 2nd leaf? Should be visible under the truck.

 

Are you able to still see which side the parking brake bracket goes? One side should have relatively clean threads, the other side is likely far more corroded from never having a bolt in the threads.

 

I have a 2006 Sport with 170k on the stock suspension. It’s a rusted mess and tired.

I just picked up a set of 3rd gen OR struts with coilovers. I understand it will give me an 1” in the front. I’m not looking to lift much and priority is on reliability and not having to change much else.
I was planning to put blocks in the rear to level or slightly raked. My leafs were replaced under the recall but the rear still is kind of low. No cover, occasional haul stuff and an aluminum boat.

What size rear blocks should I get - seems like 1” or 1.5” or 2” are my options without having to change anything else aside from ubolts or risk reliability?

 

Use the 2nd gen coilovers if you can man. Trust me. 3rd gen coilovers are way firmer to account for the 3rd gen weight and gives a stiffer/rougher ride on the 2nd gen

you’re gonna hear cracks on the dash all day

 

Agreed, use original coils. AAL in back.

 

Anyone ever remove the sway bar with the 3rd gen swap ? Maybe thinking it will run smoother without because yes the 3rd gen trd sport is really stiff on a 2nd gen