advice for 3 inch suspension purchase

Greetings,
First time post, great site!

My suspension on my '06 access cab 4X4 TRD is worn out. The rear springs are "wasted, they bottom out fairly easily .
The truck has 150,000 miles on it.

I've spent hours adsorbing information from this site and still am a bit confused on a few things.

I need a good dependable 3 inch lift.
I don't have a heavy front bumper or winch.
I don't tow anything.
I do a lot of off road, (nothing hard core), just dirt roads, sand washes, etc.



I'm looking at the icon 2 1/2 coil overs and the Camburg uca's and Bilsteins for the rear axle along with 3 leaf progressive leafs.

I see these mentioned the most: Bilstein 5100 kits, ToyTec ultimate, suggestions?

Since the rear springs are so weak,do I need to replace the entire leaf spring or add leafs?

I will be replacing the UCA's also, do I want ball joint or uni ball. Recommend a manufacturer?

Should I replace rear brake lines with longer ones?

Do I need a 1/4" spacer on drivers side?

Thanks in advance!!! Gary

 

OK I get it, do your homework Boy. I'm not a very patient guy and doing all that research, phone calls, note taking, for something I didn't know much about was nothing I was looking forward too, but I'm better informed for doing it and I placed an order with Dan at Wheelers today. I pretty much went with all of Dan's suggestions, Dan "The" Man for sure!
Icon extended coil overs
Camburg UCA's
Icon 3 leaf progressive add a leafs
5100's for the axle
longer brake lines
and a couple upper control arm bolts in case I choose to use a reciprocating saw.

Additionally, I stumbled across the fix for the compass/temp display. When I pulled down the console I could hear the loose resistor, it had completely come off. Attempting to keep that sucker in place to where I could at least get one side soldered was a pain in the ass.
It now works, It F**KING works!!!!! It's been non operative for at least 5 years, I could scream!!!

 

Welcome Gary! Dan is a good dude for sure. I'm curious why you went with the 3 leaf AAL instead of a new leaf pack?

150k on stock springs is a lot of miles, especially if they're shot.

 

on my 2006 quad cab prerunner i went with...

front

http://www.ironman4x4.com/coil-springs/ (i went with 'C' rated, but i have bull bar, lights,etc, I am very happy! i took all of it off to have 2014 front installed and repainted, without the extra weight it is a tad stiff, you may want to consider 'B' rated)

http://www.ironman4x4.com/foam-cell/

back

http://downsouthmotorsports.com/c-5...hocks-bilstein-5125-universal-fit-shocks.html

(i ordered these from them)

and Dakar 2.5" AAL

see reviews thread

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/219608-ironman-lift.html

$168 x 2 = $336 plus ship
http://www.cjcoffroad.com/IRONMAN-FJ-CRUISER-03-4RUNNER-05-TACOMA-COIL-SPR-p/toy055b.htm


$150 x 2 - $300 plus ship
http://www.cjcoffroad.com/IRONMAN-FJ-CRUISER-03-4RUNNER-05-TACOMA-FOAM-CEL-p/24710fe.htm


add another few hundred for any bushing and getting the springs mounted

a couple hundred for AAL or a $400+ or so for leaf pack (plus ship)

still under $1500

(i did not order from these guys, just giving price examples, i ordered from toytec, seems they dont carry any more)

i turned the wrenches myself, cost installed was about $1200 if i remember, its been a good while

rides better than stock!

 

Sorry for not responding earlier, damn, it's been over a month. I've been away from home and on the road for work (construction)....

James, as for the springs, I went with what Dan suggested, I didn't have a clue what to do for a fix. They work much better now, all good.

However, since the lift, there is a minor vibration through the steering wheel at 45mph. Can even feel the vibration with my foot when braking.

And tire noise, I don't have aggressive tires on it, in fact they are Michelin's M/S2. There was never any tire noise prior to the lift.
I talked to Dan a few times regarding these issues, read him the alignment numbers, and he agreed the alignment is perfect.
He suggested balancing the tires, it helped the vibration and noise a little bit.
the vibration and tire noise is not excessive.

Regarding the tire noise, I thought maybe the 3 inch lift in the fender well has some kind of sound dampening effect??

Wondering if this is a common occurrence when modifying the stock suspension?

 

ECGS bushing to replace your needle bearing on driver side of front diff. I'm currently in the same boat.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...nt-differential-bearing-vibration-thread.html

 

Thanks for that 58!!!

Wow, good to know what's up, apparently it's not the tires then. The growling was worse before the alignment.

Knowing that much, raises lots of questions, I didn't have the time now to read those threads, I will this evening for sure.

I hope it's OK to drive "as is" for awhile, don't want to get stranded somewhere....

Thanks! Gary

 

I've "poured" over all the links about the vibration and noise, which has answered many questions but a couple for me.

I haven't seen to many responses of folks who have done the replacement and heard the final result, does replacing the needle bearing with ECGS bushing the solution and does it last?

I should buy a new cv axle assemble with the new ECGS bushing install? I suspect there is some wear after 150,000 miles on the original axle, a new unit would insure a nice snug fit between the bushing and axle?

Armed with information from this site, I'll be hitting the dealership Monday morning for a "good faith" discount on a new axle.

Where else would a guy buy an after market axle cheaper? I've always tended to buy OEM parts....
Thanks!! Gary

 

I went with 5100 billies up front and back.... new leaf pack and original springs. Drives like a dream. I got 2.5 with the billies.... but 33's make it over 4 inches higher. Loving the ride