Need some suspension advice

I know this has been discussed numerous times but just need a little info. Looking to level/lift my new Tacoma OR and not sure which way to go. I can get the rough country 3/2 kit installed price of around $500 with alignment or I'm debating bilstein 5100's all around
Rear add a leaf
and 887's up front. Will the ride with 5100's be that much better? I had the rough country kit on my tundra and it seemed to have made the ride worse. Not looking to go huge on tires either.

 

Short answer is YES, the 5100s and OME will ride SO much better. Go that route.

 

I figured as much. I don't really trust the nitro rear shocks that rough country ships with those kits.

 

I recommend going with the 885s unless you plan on getting new UCAs as well. Whatever you decide on, talke to Marie at Headstrong off road. A lot of people on here do business there and I have literally never once heard a negative thing.

 

Most honest reviews I've seen is nothing will ride smoother or softer than the factory TRD OR suspension. As soon as you lift it will harshen/stiffen the ride. The more you lift the worse it will make it. So better to go with minimal lift or no lift if you want to maintain a factory quality ride....again just based on reading so much feedback here.

 

Can the factory coils be used with the 5100's up front? And if so what's the available lift? Really looking for about 2 inches up front and 1.5 in the back. I like the way it rides now so don't want to go crazy lifting it.

 

Compressing the stock coils to get lift with the Bilstien height adjustments will create a harsh ride, based on my earlier experience. You'll be better off getting the lift out of the OME coils, 885 as mentioned earlier if you're looking for 2".

 

Like Turd said, get some OME coils and don't use stock. Might as well spend the extra $170 and do it right the first time. You'll be thanking yourself later down the road.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leveling-questions.446253/#post-13046526

see this thread

 

^^^ That and that's the way I'm going... got boxes of suspension parts waiting for me when I get home. Went with the Icon 3 leaf progressive AAL. Not sure if I'm going to remove the helper spring or not...?

 

The only reason to remove the overload leaf is if you don't want that extra 1/2" of height, which is the thickness of the spring. All preference, but I'd leave it in.

 

Thanks bro ... it's stayin then.

 

By "helper" you mean overload, right? I removed mine per the instructions as I heard mixed reviews, mostly negative, about the ride with the overload spring in. The AAl was a little stiff at first but softened up a little; doubt leaving the overload in will really make a big difference in ride.

I ended up replacing the leafs all together with a Dakar leaf pack once I installed the camper shell. The stock leafs are pretty weak, will sag under the slightest load and have had a long history of snapping. My 2 cents, may be worth spending the $400 on the Dakars and return the AAL if you're going to use your truck as a truck. You can remove a leaf or two in the Dakar pack if you don't want the full height of 2.5-2.75" and you'll get a solid rear end that can handle a load... (just had a 'Hangover 3' thought... sorry)

 

Reread my last post and it was kinda backwards. Fixed it.

 

Yeah thanks for that advice ... I may call Marie at Headstrong and see what we can do for a trade up....

 

I knew what you meant... got me twisted for sec and figured it.