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Need to replace suspension parts sooner than I thought...

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Dangorah, Apr 18, 2018.

  1. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:21 AM
    #21
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    You do not want to be going 60mph when this happens. All I'm saying. Yes, I'm in the OEM camp. Several folks have gotten 200k+ on OEM, double the recommended interval. It's not that big on investment. We are talking dollars per month over the life of the part. But it's your life, your rig. Do what you want.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2018
  2. Apr 19, 2018 at 8:22 AM
    #22
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    Thats shit I would not want to be in. Rather spend the extra dough during normal intervals (like every 90k) to replace em.
     
  3. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:11 AM
    #23
    Dangorah

    Dangorah [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No one has any suggestions for lifts that aren't Old Man Emu?
     
  4. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:15 AM
    #24
    boostedka

    boostedka Well-Known Member

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    For the front, it's Spacers, 5100's, OME, Toytec, Fox 2.0's, or ICON/King/FOX/ADS 2.5's. Increasing in price of course from left to right.
    How do you intend to use them and how much do you want to spend?
     
  5. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:16 AM
    #25
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    What's your lift budget? What do you want out of a lift, just looks or looks + performance? Best performance possible or equivalent to stock? Lots of options out there but gotta narrow it down
     
  6. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:17 AM
    #26
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    Oh and just to echo what others have said, do not cheap out on lower ball joints.

    If your current ones have 1/4" play in them, they need to be changed out ASAP...that's some scary **** right there
     
  7. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:47 AM
    #27
    Dangorah

    Dangorah [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I didn't see for myself so they might not have that much play. They were replaced less than 40k miles ago with Moog joints.

    As far as front coils what are my options?
     
  8. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:49 AM
    #28
    Dangorah

    Dangorah [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I go out on camping grips, dirt roads, light offroading but I don't dog on it too hard. Mostly just use the truck to get into mountain access roads while carrying a dirt bike. I'll be putting a bed rack on for my RTT as well. I'm looking for an all around cost effective setup if that makes sense .
     
    eon_blue[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Apr 20, 2018 at 11:55 AM
    #29
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    The OME kit would suit your needs just fine in my opinion, or a 5100/OME coil setup. But for the rear, I would avoid doing an AAL or 3 leaf AAL since you plan on running heavier weight in the back with the RTT. I have a 3 leaf AAL pack in the rear of my truck and it holds the RTT well, but as soon as I load up my other gear for a trip the rear sags down about an inch or two. They don't hold extra weight well. I'd recommend for the rear leaf springs to go with the OME Dakar leaf pack upgrade as an affordable option...Wheeler's Offroad, Allpro/ Trail Gear both sell heavy duty leaf springs too but they're more pricey.
     
  10. Apr 20, 2018 at 12:23 PM
    #30
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    OP for the love of god please go check the play in your ball joints so we can put this LBJ debate to rest.

    You can check them like this
    https://youtu.be/tqw85L_sMgE
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2018
  11. Apr 21, 2018 at 12:01 PM
    #31
    frizzman

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    Just to add a point. The Dakar leaf pack is not an HD leaf pack. It is standard weight but a lifted leaf pack. Just because it has more leafs does not make it hold more weight.

    https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...for_1998-2004_Tacoma_(PAIR)_-_CS046R_A/B.html

    They sell the AAL for $50-75 (depending which vendor you buy from) more that increases weight capacity. Still nothing to sneeze at for really heavy loads:

    https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p97/OME_Add-a-leaf_(PAIR)_-_D43XL ​for_1998-2004_Tacoma.html
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  12. Apr 21, 2018 at 12:41 PM
    #32
    Sperrunner

    Sperrunner Respect the International Dibs Law

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    Note that adding a aal or a HD leaf pack will stiffen your ride, and hd packs are designed to have Weight in the bed at all times, if you are constantly driving around with the bed empty a HD pack will not be that comfey,
    Ome offers 3 kinds of leaf packs I think, or 2 cant remember. Standed, medium and hd. Medium will probably best suit you
     
    Dangorah[OP] and 2002Tacoma4x4 like this.
  13. Apr 23, 2018 at 6:59 AM
    #33
    Dangorah

    Dangorah [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sorry for the delayed response. Long weekend out of town (didn't take the taco).

    I'll report back with the LBJ check results.

    OME sounds like my only option as far as replacing all the suspension parts goes. I'll probably go with the medium leaf packs since I do carry a dirt bike and a RTT every now and then. The guy I got a quote through priced bilstein 5100s with OME leafs and coils for $1000.

    As far as the LCA bushings go, I saw the poly bushing kit online for a good deal. Would you think it's better to replace the entire lower control arm or just do both upper and lower busbings with the kit? I saw it online for less than 50 bucks or something.

    Once I do the suspension upgrade in throwing in new lower ball joints. I just want to be sure these won't fall out from under me anytime soon .
     
  14. Apr 23, 2018 at 7:01 AM
    #34
    KkelX4

    KkelX4 Well-Known Member

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    TLDR but I did my whole front suspension on my 01, Lcas were a bitch, and it was cheaper to get OEM Lower Control Arms than to get new bushings and cam bolts lmao
     
    Dangorah[OP] likes this.
  15. Apr 23, 2018 at 7:03 AM
    #35
    Dangorah

    Dangorah [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Was it hard to remove the old bushings and press the new ones in?
     
  16. Apr 23, 2018 at 7:03 AM
    #36
    tacotuesday29

    tacotuesday29 Well-Known Member

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    Just get a used 3rd gen or suspension. Will be the cheapest and will probs include leafs
     
  17. Apr 23, 2018 at 7:04 AM
    #37
    KkelX4

    KkelX4 Well-Known Member

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    Initially I had bought energy suspension bushings and Cam bolts, but they were lower quality than OEM there is too much slot between the cam bolt and the sleeve and it cause my truck to Swerve dangerously when braking. Whatever kit you use make sure the rubber is stiff and the Cam bolt is tight
     
  18. Apr 23, 2018 at 7:21 AM
    #38
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    to get the old bushing out you have to burn them (torch) or press the whole sleeve out. for the ES bushings you need to re-use the external and internal sleeve w/ the end washers. it took me a good part of the day to clean out the rubber from the LCAs in order to get the ES bushing in. then you have to reconnect one washer end as it has to come off to get the ES bushing onto the internal sleeve. so if you don't have your own press or way to do this you may have to take it somewhere.
     
  19. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:08 AM
    #39
    KkelX4

    KkelX4 Well-Known Member

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    It took fucking hours. Like all day. I had to cut off the cam bolts on each side between to drive them out with a BFH. After I had them out I put em in a vice and tried bashing them out. Eventually I torched out the bushing and bashed the sleeve out. I was choked when I found out it was 220$ each side for new LCAs from Toyota that come with the bushings. Still would've have had to cut the cam bolts to get them out. OEM cam bolts were 84$ each though!!! So I got aftermarket ones and made stainless steel sleeves on a lathe to fit the OEM bushings and aftermarket cam bolts.

    End of the day it was a huge difference in ride quality though cause the old bushings were seized to the bolts so the control arms were fighting the rubber to droop the whole time.
     
  20. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:34 AM
    #40
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    It gets the job done, really, for someone on a budget. No one has complained.
     

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