Official 5-lug Suspension Setup Thread

I am with you HackD, i change my thoughts around weekly. I am currently running 245-75-16 BFG rugged terrains on 16x8 kmc enduros.(see pics in my album) Its a great size, i dont really have any complaints. However, for some reason I like a skinny tire on taco's and I too thought about a 235-85-16(even started a thread a month or two back in 5 lug section asking if anyone is running this set up on a 5 lug only and had zero luck. )

Here's the thought I am on now though, thinking about running 215-85-16 goodyear duratraks for the next rubbers i get. Same diameter as my 245 but about an inch narrow. Which my current tires stick out maybe 3/4 of inch past fender now so I think these would be perfect. Plus a more narrow tire will be easier on these 5 lug drive-trains even if the are an e-ply.

 

I'm thinking that a shop apprentice probably messed up on double-checking - I don't see any chattering around the edge of the eyelet that would indicate a bolt snapped, and then worked it's way out.

I'm no suspension expert, but the setup would introduce progressive resistance as the suspension is compressed. The leaf-springs keep the axle centered, and as the angles of the shocks increase, so too it requires additional weight to compress at a decreasing rate of suspension compression .. ie. 1 inch .. 150 lbs, 2 inch, 400 lbs, 3 inch, 700 lbs. It's all about triangulation geometry, and incrementally increasing compression resistance, i think. If they were both on the same side, the compression rate would be more linear in combined compression ratio.

My thought process also goes to the drivetrain .. there are limits to the stock drivetrain, that are taxed by overly large wheel-sets - overall width, as well as weight of the tire and rim. Fuel economy also takes a massive hit with wider tires, and the present (relatively) cheap fuel-costs are not going to last.. more rolling resistance, and fuel economy goes down.

I don't go "wheeling" .. at the worst, i hit a logging-road or a farmers field access to unload an ATV. I don't see deep mud, and i don't see sand. Considering our general snow-fall patterns, it's better to go for a relatively narrow but aggressively treaded tire to cut down to more solid footing, and to 'plow-steer'. Narrow tires make more sense than airing down wider tires, when the temps get to -20 deg C.. The military have equipped their general purpose vehicles with relatively narrow cross-section but taller profile tires since at least the first Jeep, for a reason..

My ideal, also includes increasing wheel track for overall stability.. perhaps at the expense of increased axle bearing wear.. but there is a price to everything.

I'll likely be the guinea-pig for this, if you don't get there first

 

My thought process also goes to the drivetrain .. there are limits to the stock drivetrain, that are taxed by overly large wheel-sets - overall width, as well as weight of the tire and rim. Fuel economy also takes a massive hit with wider tires, and the present (relatively) cheap fuel-costs are not going to last.. more rolling resistance, and fuel economy goes down.

I don't go "wheeling" .. at the worst, i hit a logging-road or a farmers field access to unload an ATV. I don't see deep mud, and i don't see sand. Considering our general snow-fall patterns, it's better to go for a relatively narrow but aggressively treaded tire to cut down to more solid footing, and to 'plow-steer'. Narrow tires make more sense than airing down wider tires, when the temps get to -20 deg C.. The military have equipped their general purpose vehicles with relatively narrow cross-section but taller profile tires since at least the first Jeep, for a reason..

My ideal, also includes increasing wheel track for overall stability.. perhaps at the expense of increased axle bearing wear.. but there is a price to everything.

I'll likely be the guinea-pig for this, if you don't get there first [/QUOTE]


HA, you will def get there first. My tires are fairly new, I have atleast 25K miles or so left on my current shoes. If you go with 235-85-16 PLEASE post pics, would love to see this set up.

Feel free to post them here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/235-85-16-on-5-lug-only.374310/#post-10686442

I am rooting for ya!!

 

@HackD amen .. thanks for your input.

 

I have a fat bobs kit on my 5 lug and was wondering what the ride would be like if i removed my add-a-leaf but kept the pro comp shocks that came with it on?

 

Keep in mind .. the rear shocks that come with these kits are longer than stock .. the additional firmness and additional thickness of the leaf-spring assembly, keep the shocks from fully compressing too easily .. consequence could be damaged shocks, if you run the additional length shocks only.

I would imagine additional body roll would also be an unintended consequence.

 

I had the fat bob lift installed about a month ago and recently I've been hearing some creaking from the rear when I drive slow. Anyone know what the issue is?

 

I've heard (pun not intended) similar comments elsewhere - it may be the additional leaf spring frictioning/binding up against the existing leaf springs. What i've read is the fix for that is a lithium based dressing applied to the surfaces of the springs, might alleviate some of the noise. Search TW using keywords "aal creaking noise" or similar keyword combos - one that came up is this one - https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/675935/?q=aal+creaking+noise&t=post&o=date

Also - make sure your U-bolts are tightened up .. they may need a turn or two to tighten them up a bit further after stretching out a bit with some use.

 

Thanks for your response, HackD. I read some of the threads and it sounds exactly whats happening to mine. This may sound silly, but is it dangerous and can it cause damage to the vehicle?

 

Loose shackles/U-bolts - never a good thing. Catastrophically so? I don't know. I would want to keep things tight and secure, considering our issues with an outstanding leaf spring recall, though.

The rubbing issue.. i think it's likely limited to being a bloody annoyance.

 

Thanks for the fast response, man! I will take a look at the U-bolts to see if its tightened. Once again, thanks for your help!

 

Hello is to much lift 2.75 front 1.25 rear with 235 75 15 tire? It looks good?

 

Hello and welcome! That's not too much for those size tires (you can definitely get bigger tires with that lift). I am running 235-75-15 tires with my lift and I have no complaints!

 

Is there a way to get the rake back? My five Luger sits perfectly level after the lift, but I prefer a rake for hauling heavy items. I think the only way is to swap out the fat bobs leaf spring for a bigger spring. Would that work or am I stuck with a saggy bed when hauling?

 

I haven't yet hauled a load in my Tacoma, post-lift - only just sold my cargo-limiting tonneau cover yesterday. That said, I don't know if i will be facing the same issue as you - i do have the Readylift SST with Billy's, not the Fat-Bob's kit, so again, i don't know whether the suspension quality/characteristics are the same.

How much weight have you got loaded on board, to be of cause for concern/sacking out the rear suspension, beyond that which is desired? Is your loading significant enough that you might need to consider additional load-bearing augmentation, like air-bags (in conjunction with the lift kit), better shocks than those provided with the Fat Bob's kit, E-rated LT tires?

Some degree of suspension settling is to be expected with a load, obviously... but these are still 1/4 tonne trucks, at their core.

 

The sag isn't too bad only about two inches. I haul a riding lawn mower that weighs probably 400lbs about once a week. I also keep about 100lbs of tools and gear in the bed toolbox.

 

U have pics?

 

Look in this thread for plenty of pics.. spend some quality time looking through this thread, and the other threads available in the 5-lug section, rather than asking people to spoon-feed you for instant gratification.

Thanks!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-5-lug-picture-thread.120284/

 

Yeah, check my build thread on my sig.

 

Hey I am new here. Just put a Fat Bobs standard AAL lift with shocks on my 2014 double cab 5 Lug. Also put 235/75r15 General Grabber AT2's. It looks much better. Only thing that is bothering me is the back is sitting lower than the front. Any suggestions on how to make it level from front to back? Before:

After:
Thanks for any help!