Help with Suspension

I just threw that number out there. I was talking total setup cost as well.
My point was it seems like op spends 99% of his time on pavement with occasional camping trips and some trails with friends. Given he might need/want to have other work done to the truck as well, I think 5100s and a new leaf pack are more than good enough. I don’t see what’s dollar tree about 5100s but I also don’t do hardcore off-roading and probably for that application they might be considered sub par. They take me into and out of any sort of off-roading that I care to take my daily driver into. I think it’s a good option for his application

 

5100 is pencil thin and doesn’t ride well. Takes labor time to install that. Maybe an alignment. To each his own.

5100 is 4600 painted silver with a movable clip.

I struggled to find anyone to take mine for free.

 

Point taken. Probably just the utilitarian in me. I ran mine stock for 145k before doing anything to it, and it did everything I asked of it. I’m sure the reservoir shocks are a better ride I don’t doubt that.

 

TacoTuesday1, finally got around to checking my LCAs. DS is fine for the moment, but PS ball joint and bushings are toast. Do you have experience with the TTX? If so, any issues and how many miles on them? Toyota parts dept. quoted me just under $1k for both LCAs. I would rather not spend that much, especially if there’s a viable replacement for a fraction of the cost.

 

Agreed Dbelle, the stock 4600’s got me everywhere I needed. It would be nice to be able drop my whole budget on a lift, but I gotta take care of the other issues along with the suspension.

 

Finally got under the truck today…
DS LCAs (bushings/ball joints) are done. UCAs seem to be ok for the moment, but the rubber on the ball joint doesn’t look great on passenger side.

 

Glad it’s fixed. Although you could have gotten OE lcas for about 500 online direct from the dealer online program.

 

I probably should edit the word “done,” the LCA is no good and still need to be replaced. Would you happen to have the link to this program? I saw that a couple dealerships were having a 25% off sale, but not the part I was looking for.

 

make an acct. then find the parts and it will give you a list dealers that participate in the online program. Parts are usually 25-35% off retail. I buy all my OE parts this ways

 

Thanks! I appreciate the tip! There are some parts that I would rather buy from Toyota. My local dealership quoted me almost $1K for the 2 LCAs…

 

Yeah that’s retail for like $480 ea, online I found them for $265 at my local dealer. Also usually orders over $75 shipping is free and local pick up is always free.

 

Extreme Terrain $155.00 per side.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/sear...ma&vehicleType=Tacoma&got=true&sort=Relevancy

 

Yeah, I actually have those in the cart right now, but considering the OE lasted me 133k and have no idea how long the alternative will last. Do you have any experience with the LCA’s from extremterrain.com?

 

Air bags can be good. I bought a car that had some but they were EXTREMELY worn out. Kinda like driving with a bouncy house for suspension. So I bought a new kit. Really good after the change.

 

No experience, except for a purchase of my Old Man Emu 2" lift kit.

 

You will be hard pressed to find a set of aftermarket that will last 10-15 yrs and 150-200k miles like OE.

 

I’ve taken that into consideration, I’m going to put the new leaf pack on then go from there. My buddy has airbags and really likes them.

 

Toyota LCA is like $600 for both. Not $1k.

I don't. I have their regular ones. But I may try the TTX next and hope for the best.
I'm not set up right now to be dropping $2k on fabricated arms that may not even be long travel which is a whole nother expense and not solid axle.

And, I find it hard to justify $600+ for cardboard stock parts. Which is what stock parts are.
Not to mention, I have JDFab LCA pivots which do not work with stock arms, or at least, need stock arm bushing holes changed or bored out, in the back I believe. So they technically would not work out of the box untampered.

I also don't know how good stock bushings are, or if/what aftermarket is any better.
I know that after hitting a normal unseen pothole, my alignment tweaked, and my stock rebuilt LCA's are the weakest point of my front suspension. So I am guessing they are not that strong. No stock part is.

 

Sounds like you you have a bigger LCA problem than I do. Dealership quoted me $900 and change before taxes. Considering my originals have lasted me this long, another OEM will last another 14 years. Actually found a dealership in New Mexico that’ll ship to me for less money than $600.

 

Thanks everyone for your input and advice so far. Aside from a few small things, I have ordered all my parts. This is my first time doing any of these things on this truck. I want to be as efficient as possible.

Parts ordered:
LCAs
DS cv axle/ECGS install
UCAs
Assembled front shocks/springs (OME2885) w/5100s
Rear Icon RXT (option2) w/ 5100s

It’s going to be a couple weeks until my lift kit is here. All other parts should be here my middle of next week. I’m going to be doing the LCAs and CV axle/ECGS at my house with minimal help and the front springs, UCAs, and rear at my friends house. I figured I could get the LCAs and DS CV axle/ECGS done at the same time. Then drive the couple miles to my friend’s place.

Do you think it’s feasible to get the CV/ECGS and LCAs done in a day? Or should I plan on 2 days?


I gotta be honest, although I know I can get this done, I’m pretty nervous about the axle/LCA replacement. Especially since I’m going to be doing this part basically by myself. Every time I work on the truck it seems to take 2or3 times longer and my inexperience wrenching on this thing starts to show pretty quick. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time researching the parts, reading on TW about how to do it and watching videos. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.