2nd Gen Front Suspension Upgrade

The front struts on my '06 sr5 access cab are starting to wear out, so I'm looking to replace them. I've been trying to wade through all the threads and suspension builds here in TW and honestly it's making my head spin.

To start, as I mentioned, I've got a an '06 sr5 access cab 4x4. It's got three leaf springs on the back (from the research I've done I can't tell if this is stock for the sr5) and other wise stock set up. I put an mid rise shell on shortly after purchasing the truck and I will be putting a sleeping platform in the back as well. I have a small boat (combined trailer/boat weight <1,000lbs) that I will be pulling every once in a while. The main use for my truck at the moment is DD and rough fire roads. My end goal at this point in time is to put a small lift on it (no more than 2") and steal bumpers font and back and build the truck up to be an off-roader.

I'm considering either throwing on Bilstein 4600's (for now) or 5100's. From my understanding the 4600's are basically a slight upgrade to the stock suspension, where as the 5100's are a considerable upgrade and meant for smallish lifts. So if I put the 4600's on now can I just plug and play with my current stock springs? Can I also do this with the 5100's for now until I'm ready to lift it, or should I wait till I'm ready to lift to install the 5100's? For possible future plans on the rear will the 4600's be enough or will I want 5100's back there as well?

I'm also open to other suggestions for those who have them.

 

If you have the funds for the 5100's, go with those.

Not sure what your overall goal is with the truck but you can work around the 5100's as they are ride height adjustable as well where the 4600 are not

 

If your trying to build a good trail rig and plan on bumpers the whole works. You can find a set of oem 3rd gen struts stupid cheap that will give you about 1-1.5up front to get you by. But 5100s are adjustable as well. The 3 leaf pack is oem as well.

When the time comes for bumpers and a solid suspension package ome is a great tried an true setup. With bumpers and the cap since you tow I’d go with ome nitrocharger shocks front/rear with 886 coils and dakars for the rear.

 

My goal for the truck is a solid trail rig. At some point is like to put about a 1.5-2" lift on but it's unlikely to happen within the next year. If running around on the 5100's with pretty much a stock truck on them is either going to totally kill the ride, or not recommend without having either a lift or some weight on them then I'll probably throw on some 4600's till I'm ready for a true upgrade. A little rougher ride isn't a big deal and I don't want to blow out the shocks right away, but if there ride is going to be horrendous till I lift it and/or put some more weight on them ,then I'll wait to put the beefier shocks till then.

 

You will have no issues running the 5100's on your stock truck.

The 5100's are ride height adjustable as well so it'll give you the lift/level you are looking for!

For a little bit more $, get the 5100's and pair it with the OME coils.

Set the 5100's at the lowest setting and the Coils will give you the lift.

Done!

 

So if I pair the 5100's with some OME coils, will a set of 5100s in the rear level out there lift and keep it from looking like it's "squatting"?

 

The rear shocks are not ride height adjustable...only the front.

You really should need anything for the rear with the 5100's and OME coils up front BUT, if you do, get an AAL and you will be set

JT

 

We don't sell Bilstein ( if we did, I would take care of you ) but here is what you need...

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/c74/Bilstein_Kits.html

Contact @HeadStrong Off-Road and they can take care of you

 

Cool thanks! Looks like I'm going to have to save up a little more to get a proper setup. Thanks for the help and advice!

 

No worries man!

You can always build this in stages...start with the front and get the rear later.

But it's really up to you

 

If doing the front with OME coils and leaving the back stock for a little while won't make the truck look like it's squatting then I might do that. Otherwise I want to do it all at once to avoid that.