Shocks & Tires Recommendation

I was told at a recent alignment that the shocks on my 2002 4x4 TRD are on their last legs. The ride is indeed quite wobbly. Looking to upgrade, but I have to admit, I don't know much about the choices.

The plan for the truck is to use it as my home on the road for a while. I will be adding a light (as possible) camper setup to the back, and will be using it for access to trailheads and wilderness areas, but it is a means to an end and not primarily for 4-wheeling. I will need to support a good amount of weight in the back, and it would be nice to have at least a little better than stock capabilities in terms of 4x4 access, but gas mileage is a big concern as well. Maybe only a small change in tire size, but something that isn't going to get ripped open by Death Valley rocks and does well in the snow and mud.

So I'm looking for suspension upgrade options and tires.

Money is not unlimited. Definitely needs to be under $2000, hopefully very under. Probably can't afford new wheels for example, so something that fits the stock ones is probably going to be what I go with. I can also likely install the upgrades myself, so that should save some money.

Mickey Thompson Baja MTZs (maybe 265/75/16) had seemed like a good option for the tires from what I've read. I'm totally clueless on what I need as far as suspension.

If anyone knows of good source for the recommended tires and parts, I'm looking for leads there too.

 

Shocks won't do anything for holding that weight.

You're going to need new leaf springs in the rear and you should go new coils up front. And of course add new shocks to improve ride quality.

There are many options to go with but for a ballpark you're looking at $1300 for a complete OME suspension kit. Maybe a little more because you might need an AAL in the rear.

 

Yea, looking for recommendations for everything to be more clear.

 

How much weight? D you know ?

Like 800lbs? Or just like 1-200

I've had to redo my leafs 3 times due to the loads I carry while camping/offroading.

 

Hard to say exactly, but probably will wind up on the heavier side.

Looking at something like the build here:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...en-Air-Camper-build-Callen-on-Dodge-Short-Bed

I'd like to build a slightly lighter camper though, perhaps taking the bed off an mounting a camper shaped similar to the one on that dodge (slightly higher than cab height) made of something like nidacore. Would have batteries freezer, tools and recovery kit, climbing, skiing and backpacking gear, stove, propane, food and water for up to like a week. Rockers. Eventually a winch and bumper.

Edit:

Blackdawg, your build is pretty sweet, btw.

 

Thanks!

Okay..well..could go for a full OME kit. 883 coils and Dakar leafs with the extra add a leaf to start.

 

considering that you are not doing any serious off roading, I would stick to a p265/75r16 AT tire so that you don't have to worry about the tire rubbing anywhere. With that tire, I would go with 881s in front or 882s max if you are putting additional weight up front, anything taller and your tires will appear small in the wheel wells. In the rear, I would do a upgraded leaf pack from Dakar or Wheelers with any AAL for the weight you are talking about in the rear, Dan at Wheelers off Road is very knowledgeable and it would be good to talk to him about your setup also. Either Bilstein or OME shocks front and rear would be a solid choice also. Before you do anything, you need to figure out how much additional weight you will have in the rear and give Dan at wheelersoffroad.com a call.

 

x2 on the Bilstein. cost more but last much longer....cheaper in the long run.

 

Thanks for the helpful replys, people.

I will try to figure a more exact weight.

If anyone knows someone trying to get rid of a suspension package or bumper and winch (in Southern California most likely), let me know. Or if you know of any deals going on as well.

 

I'm new to the forum, and this thread was surprisingly relevant to my situation. (someone let me know if it would be better posted elsewhere)

I too need new shocks and tires, but I also have a broken leaf in the driver side leaf spring, and believe my rack bushings need to be replaced. I drive on snow on and off for 8 months of the year, navigate varying degrees of dirt roads throughout the summer carrying camping and rafting gear, and want a decently smooth ride on highways to and from work and excursions, and I always have a 150-200 lb camper shell. I am thinking I want on/off road AT tires to give me the best of all worlds, increased load capacity on the leafs, and a little better performance on the shocks for the dirt roads.

My immediate question is: Will any of the upgrades I mentioned affect the size of the tires I get? I have 265/70/r16's right now and just blew one, so I need new tires ASAP.

My next question is: Of the other upgrades, which of those would be good projects for me (mechanically minded, but fairly new to automotive repair with limited resources), and which would be best to have an expert perform?

Any and all recommendations on the best plan of attack would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

BFG AT KOs. Keep the stock size to retain gas mileage and avoid other issues.

A full OME kit would be nice for you too.