Front suspension help for heavy winch bumpers

I have a 2012 Single cab 4x4 with Iron Cross steel bumpers front and rear. The front suspension definitely needs some help, as the stock coils aren't stout enough for a full winch bumper. I have been looking at Rough Country 2” preassembled coilovers to avoid breaking the bank as the ride doesn't have to be the smoothest. My only worry is will these coilovers actually support the weight better or will i just be wasting my money? Also, I am not trying to achieve any higher ride height than stock or level at the highest. Thanks

 

You will be waisting money.

I would get 5100's and 886 OME springs or whichever ones match your weight and lift needs.

If you're still on stock rear leafs you're going to need and add a leaf or replacement pack soon that rear bumper will sag your rear quickly.

 

Do you know the difference in the weight of the stuff removed compared to the stuff added???

Springs are sized by the amount of load to compress the spring 1 inch, known as the spring rate or "k" factor.

Example: I hauled 1200 lbs of debris in my '06. I measured the "weight" by measuring the fender height. Unloaded 34", loaded 32". (Sorry, don't recall the actual measurement, but I do recall the difference was 2") So, 2 rear leafs supporting 1200 lbs is 600 lbs per side. 2" compression leaves a spring rate of 300 lbs per inch. Note: I'm on stock suspension.

You should have the difference in the weight you added to help size the springs. Otherwise, you could easily get a spring that is too stiff leading to a harsh ride. Shocks do nothing to support the weight. A shock's purpose is to damp rebound of the spring.

Good Luck.

 

I know the bumper weighs ~60lbs more than the stock toyota front bumper. I know the best way to get ride quality and height is to go full OME/Bilstein or OME shocks, but a full OME kit is double the price of the same fully assembled rough country coilover. Obviously you get what you pay for ride quality wise, but ANYTHING is an improvement over bouncing off the bump stops on big bumps. The RC kit has stronger springs than factory toyota coils, and also provides ~2 inches over stock height. My idea is that this will allow much more travel and absorption from the suspension compared to my current 1/2 compressed stock suspension

 

FWIW, 60 lbs extra is not worth going to a stiffer spring, higher spring rate. Your only talking about 30 lbs extra on each side. The 30 lbs in my example would only make an additional 0.1 inch compression.

Just set up for the longer travel and keep the same spring rate.

 

How much weight does your front bumper & winch come in at? My setup added 180 # I’m running 650# coils & will be switching to 700# shortly....

 

I don't know where you get your bumper weight values but the difference is substantially greater than 60lbs. Just looking at one of the IC front bumper like this one, it's listed at a whopping 212lbs. OP, why did you go with such a heavy bumper setup on a truck that you want to stay at stock height? IMO, There are much better lighter options especially for a lighter single cab tacoma with a 2.7 engine.


Style: Iron Cross Front Bumper HD

Vehicle Fit: 2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma

Weight: 212 Lbs

 

The biggest issue im having is the bumper has been installed on the stock springs for some time, and they are tired to the point of sitting just above the bump stops

I bought the truck with bumpers installed, and Iron Cross themselves say the tacoma bumper weighs 175lbs without a winch installed, which is 75lbs more than the stock toyota bumper, as it is a full replacement. The issue im having is i bought the truck with the bumper already installed, and the stock springs are tired and sagging. Is the solution indeed just new coilovers?

 

The factory bumper is likely no more than 30lbs( plastic cover and aluminum reinforcement bar). You will need HD coils to support that bumper and any future plans that include a winch.

 

there is no way that the stock bumper weighs 175 pounds. Facia and crash bar no more than 30-35 lbs

 

Ok, so another tacomaworld thread said stock toyota bumpers are ~100lbs. My mistake. But my biggest question is not about bumper weights, it is whether or not anyone had experience using anything other than OME coilovers to support an aftermarket bumper.

 

My bumper weighs 175lbs with no winch, and was going to just get OME HD coil springs, but they say you cant use the HD coils with stock shocks, and bilstein is sold out of 5100s, probably thanks to this website.

 

Go with dobinson shocks and coils.
There's more out there then Bilstien and crappy ome coils that sag way to much.

 

That's kind of rough. I've had the 5100/885 kit from Headstrong on the front my truck for nearly 6 years and it has been great. I run a heavy steel front bumper with a winch and synthetic line. Until recently I wheeled my truck often in places where we get a lot of bounce and hard hits, so those parts have seen some abuse.

It is probably time for me to consider new suspension, but I have no complaints about the 5100/885 combo at all.

 

I've had ome 885 886s HD leafs and BP 51 fronts all sagged way to much

 

Sorry you have had a bad experience. I wonder about the choice of 886s. Are you running a stock bumper or something heavier?

 

Had 886s due to the arb bumper.
Swapped to dobinsons Mrrs with there heaviest coil no sag and rode way better.

 

I run 725# eibach coils on my Bilstein 5100. I took into account my sliders and roof rack with equipment. It rides ultra smooth. Without weight is a different story lol

 

Damn, Im in the the same boat here. I am now in need of complete suspension after adding a MobTown Hybrid front bumper. At first, I noticed the factory rake was back with the 885's I have always run. So I installed the 886's, and now I'm having all kinds of alignment, creaks, pops, noises in the front end. Got a set of SPC UCA's and the shop still had trouble. (ended up having the alignment tabs welded on). Currently in the market for probably OME BP-51 setup. but would prefer something easier on the wallet that will suit my needs. Im kinda stumped right now on which setup would be best for me. I wheel occasionally and do a lot of driving all over this great state.

 

Im almost 100% set on a set of toytec ultimate coilovers, 600 or 650 lb spring, and fully adjustable 0-3” of lift while still on the vehicle. Also includes sway bar relocation brackets to eliminate the rubbing that you can get with bigger coils. All in all, for my single cab 4cyl, all advertised lift heights would be drastically increased due to lack of weight compared to their baseline 6cyl/4door. I decided on the toytec ones due to the spring rate being between the 885 and 886 and still giving me full adjustment from 0-3” depending on how much the bumper sags the new springs or if i add a winch. After talking to the guys at toytec, i would say the ultimate coilovers are your best best for a safe level or slight lift, especially with full steel bumpers and winch
EDIT: no UCAs also unless you go to full 3” with no additional front end weight. Even then, folks have done it they just complain about hard alignment or slight wandering. It seems most aftermarket coilovers dont ride very well without some extra weight on the truck, I suppose they figure if youre buying a performance oriented coil kit youre probably protecting your investment with armor.