Surf Exploration Vehicle

Hey guys,

Just picked up a 23 Trail Edition. Pretty stoked on it, it's exactly what I've been looking for.
Already ordered an a.r.e. cx cap with racks for my boards and I plan on doing some Nova Scotia surf exploration this fall.

I'm having trouble deciding on the rest of the build out though. My payload is reading 990lbs so with the cap + myself + dog and gear we're at about 500-600lbs.

I wont be doing any heavy offroading, mostly just highway + fire roads/sand beaches.
The first overland shop I asked said to just go with airbags but I am tempted to do a full suspension/leaf upgrade.
Is that way overkill? I was thinking it'll improve the overall ride quality anyways and cover me in the event I need a trailer/extra passenger/etc.

 

I'd personally go with airbags.

 

That won't improve overall ride quality. Bag it. Fire roads and beach sand = stock.

 

I think the payload is way more than 990lbs cause I see guys around here hauling wood, cement bags, crush stone, snowmobiles, atv etc and the truck still sits nice. So try it first before you do anything to it. just saying you will be surprise.

 

hmm ok. Good call...should just see how it does.
Ya it's wild to see 990 and then people with full alu cab canopy campers that weigh 500lbs alone on the back.

 

If you have the funds go full suspension swap. Upgrading your leaf springs and shocks will greatly improve your capability with or without a load as well as improve its handling.

 

That's what I was originally thinking. Just do it and get it over with so I don't have to worry.. decisions decisions.

 

Make friends with some dudes with modded tacos who will let you drive their rig to see and feel the difference. It’s night and day.

 

Try Timbrens before you get airbags. DIY install. Made in Ontario with excellent customer service and a return policy.
Airbags need maintenance and the climate of Nova Scotia may greatly increase the need for maintenance.

 

I have a similar use case to you, and I ended up going with Roadmaster Active Suspension. Its slightly more expensive than airbags, but delivers a vastly improved ride quality. Airbags make the ride harsh when unloaded, RAS keeps things very smooth. RAS is basically an extra spring that counteracts the motion of your leaf flexing. As you load up your truck more, RAS takes more load from the leafs. No maintenance, you set and forget. I cant recommend them high enough. Best $500 I've spent on my truck hands down.

Build context: DCLB, ARE MX Topper, Bed/platform built for sleeping, usually running with a couple bikes on the hitch and full camping gear and truck sits right where it did stock/empty unloaded, and about 1" higher in the rear unloaded with the topper on.

 

Airbags, full suspension, Timbrens, Sumo Springs, now RAS hahah. How do you guys ever decide :| This is my first time even thinking about modding a vehicle. New to it all.

 

I'll give you my rationale on all of those!

Airbags: Too much maintenance, an easy point of failure, and they harsh the ride unloaded

Full Suspension: The obvious way to go if money is no object.

Timbrens: Look too similar to airbags for me, and they would probably harsh the unloaded ride, and definitely harsh the loaded ride as they compress.

Sumosprings: Essentially the exact same thing as timbrens

AAL/Pack Swaps: This is the best budget way to go if you always have a full build. I.e. bumpers, full living setup, etc.. in the bed.

RAS: Adapts automatically to whatever load you're carrying, similar price to airbags, easy install.

 

I was using Sumo Springs with about 200lbs of constant load plus 3-500lbs when hauling tools for work.
After 50k miles my truck was sitting on the Sumo Springs all the time and the leaf pack had negative arch.

With that said Sumo Springs don't give you a harsh ride, unloaded they should be about 1" away from the frame, and they are progressive when loaded so when you hit them it's not harsh.

I finally upgraded to an Icon RXT leaf pack and am contemplating getting taller Sumo Springs to help when loaded.

Airbags are great if you have an air system on board to constantly adjust the pressures when loaded and unloaded.

 

First mod should be an ARB air compressor and put it in the empty spot near the passenger firewall. I put my switch in the cab next to all the other switches, but if I did it again, Id put the switch under the hood for easy on/off when youve got the hood opened. Or I might need to just run a line to the outside of the truck with a quick connect so I dont even need to open the hood....

This will allow you to air down significantly on the sand and air back up once out, that will be critical to not getting stuck.

 

I did an add a leaf and 5100s but with a cap and a few board plus camping gear and family I found the rear to be sagging a bit. I drive from California to Canada once or twice a year for a couple weeks and bring a fish, shortboard and mid-length to maximize opportunity. I plan to do a new leaf pack to resolve the sagging but I will say it does just fine as is more of a want to do rather than a need to do. As it is now, the trucks done me more than right going through logging roads in BC with a full load.

 

Nice ok. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. Maybe I’ll copy.

 

Congratulations . The crawl control can get you out in “ sandy “ situations .

 

no crawl control on the TE! Having said that, it's A++ in sand so far. Took it out into some deep stuff on day 2 with 30 miles on it and it performed exceptionally well. Didn't even air down and no locker, just threw it in 4hi. It performed better than my 4runner on the same beach but that may just be a tire thing because those tires were worn out.

 

Having a small shovel and traction board is great too

 

Where are you looking for waves?