Hello! I’m New! And I’ve got Suspension Questions!

Hello hello, stoked to be here. Long time reader, first time caller.

I recently had my 2003 Ranger die on me so I switched up to a 2016 TRD Sport. What an upgrade! I truly wanted a TRD off road but couldn’t find any with a long bed double cab so I got what I could.

Anyway! I’m a contractor and project guy and need a truck that WORKS. As such I’ve got an A.R.E. DCU in the mail and I recently welded up a custom lumber rack with a buddy meant to imitate the Rack-It brand of frame connectors (I’ll make a separate post on that soon), because I need to be able to haul every LB of that 1620LB rating.

I’ve also already built out a bed drawer and deck system that I’ll post about soon as well.

long story short, I’ve got probably 600LBS of static weight on this lil puppy all the time, and the prospect of throwing another 1k on it seems common.

I recently loaded up 95% of my tools for a cross state build we had coming up and was dismayed at the sag. Now my truck came lifted and with fancy big ol tires, but had more lift in the front to begin with (a stance I was not in love with).

I’ve been doing research on suspension, AAL’s, whole new leaf spring packs, sumo springs, air-rides and the whole shebang but I am a little confused as to what’s already on my Taco.

From what I can tell, the lift in the back is achieved via a lift block (1”-1 1/4” it seems) and like I said, I’d love for it to be an inch or two higher to improve the stance. I’m not entirely sure how the 2” lift in the front is achieved but currently my wheel well in the front measured 37” to the trim.

Ideally I’m just replacing the leaf springs right now, maybe adding sumo springs, but not doing shocks/the whole kit/etc. Im currently leaning towards the AllPro 3” Expedition leaf springs, maybe the heavy duty OME Dakar’s.

Thanks for the opinions y’all.

 

For static weight, find a leaf pack - Deavers, icon, etc - that matches your weight. If you’re varying the weight I’d recommend airbags for flexibility.

for the front I think we need a picture near the top of the coils where the strut is mounted.

 

You will be looking for a set of Dakar or deaver hd leaf pack capable of handling your weight in the bed and the leafs achieve the lift. Shocks and blocks don't help carry the weight, just lift.
The front will be a set of coil overs... ome, bilstein 5100 series and up, fox, icon, king, with a matching spring to achieve the lift in front. Again the spring makes the lift not the shock in the center.

 

I'll post pics of the top of the front coils tomorrow, but just to clarify, I've already got a ~3" lift in the front, and the rear was ~2" lower than the front.

Came that way from the guy I bought it from. Trying to figure out the exact parts used, and clearly it's just a block lift in the back. Ideally I don't want to mess with anything up front if I can get away with it.

And yeah I think I'm looking at the Dakar heavy duties, as they rate at 660 static weight and are a good deal cheaper than the Deaver's tho those Deavers do look nicer.

I've never worked on a vehicle this new but I've wrenched every other vehicle I've owned and ideally this'd be something I'd do myself. Looking on youtube it seems simple enough to swap out a leaf pack.

 

Oh, so she has a Cali bro lean or the Carolina squat.
Not sure what's on the front without pics, but I'll assume it's got a set of pucks up there.

 

Are these useful angles?

I guess the big question I’m trying to research is whether I’ll have to upgrade the shocks to something with a longer stroke if I had an inch or two with the new leaf pack.