Heavy load suspension and "armor" discussion

It has been roughly 60+ thousand miles since my rebuild and my suspension components are long overdue. I was thinking about getting any lift up to 3 inches or debating on just keeping it stock height and running a bastard pack leaf set in the rear for better load as my stock leaf springs are inverted and cant hold any weight. I know there are a butt ton of threads on suspension, but I am looking to see if anyone has opinions on what suspension might work best for having an after market front and rear bumper with winch. I would like to add " armor" but I am worried that too much weight on the stock suspension will get me in trouble down the road. Any input is or guidance is great. I am still new to using forums. I have a 97 2.7 regular cab 4x4 truck on 31x10.5x15 and it seems to sit WAY low

 

Lift height and load capacity are independent variables - you can have 3” of lift with no more load capacity than you do now, or you could have stock height with hundreds of pounds over stock load limit.

Any quality spring manufacturer can make springs spec’d to the lift and load capacity you desire. Eibach are a major coil spring manufacturer that do this for all the main coilover suppliers, likewise Alcan or Deaver can make the leaf springs you need.

In general, a heavy truck with the 3RZ is not a great combo, unless you overgear your diffs and keep the tire size down. Also forced induction can make a big difference if you want to go down that route.

 

I cant speak to your specifics but I installed a complete Toytec package a few years back and its been great. Give them a call, they seem to know a thing or two. They dont offer the same setup I purchased anymore, it was their custom threaded front Bilstein's with their Aluma rears. Excellent setup but if you are going 'heavy' you will need something tuned to the task. Give 'em a call.

 

I very much agree. Our 2000 reg cab (manual) does well because it does not weigh much. I could not imagine driving it with a ARB type bumper and a winch on front and similar on the rear with a bunch of extra gear. Wrong truck. We load ours up plenty but when we get home all that gear gets put away and the truck scoots just fine for daily driving. And for sure it has a turbo in its future..once I finish my other car projects. But soon!!! hehe.

 

I probably will be looking into forced induction my next rebuild. I am currently running 410 gears on it. I never do any heavy wheeling or anything. Mainly just my daily and side hustle work truck. I use it hard when I work a project, and every once and a while I use it as a recovery vehicle when people lose get stuck in the mountains or when it ices up and snows. My leafs are inverted with empty bed weight and I have a fiberglass topper that I throw on it sometimes. or a lot of tools and recovery equipment. I will continue to research and ill check out those coil spring manufacturers you mentioned. Thanks!

 

Ill do that thanks!!! I currently have a winch on the front end. Ill need to "build" my profile up more on this forum

 

This is my 96 4X4 auto with an AAL (add a leaf) in the rear and IIRC A fox strut with the stiffer coil. Front bumper is 10 ga hot rolled and an 8k winch. Rides great