Suspension options

Good morning

I am currently trying to determine what a good shock upgrade would be for my first Gen Tacoma. 1998 access cab.


I use the truck for everything from occasional hauling and towing, daily driving, and offroading on forest service as well as slow, steep, rocky, crawly, off-camber driving, and always have a leer 122 camper shell on, guessing the weight nearly 200lbs.

It is very stiff and positive on road which I like, but I am having a VERY stiff ride offroad and would like to soften it up and be able to drive faster on dirt. The rear shocks are red hot to the touch after 30 or so minutes of rocky road driving.

Currently, the rear is set up with OME Dakar leaf springs, OME spring hangers, which are advertised to add 2 3/4" lift, and Firestone airbags with cradles. I have Bilstien 5100 on all 4 corners.

On the front, the circlip is set at max height, with OME coils, not sure of the series as they were gifted to me with no tag, and running JBA UCA's.

I have C rated Duratrac 265/75/16's on steel wheels.

Thanks

 

Just got beilstine 5165. Feel nice and still at low speed but on something fast they soften up. You might consider you have too much preload on your front. Softer springs will make it ride smoother and ease the load on shocks.

 

Your digressive shocks probably have something to do with it.

 

I bet it is mostly to do with being at max preload on the front struts in combination with the OME coils. I have the Dakars with their extra leaf and Bilsteins out back and don't find it to be overly stiff. Actually pretty compliant in my opinion. My front 882's over OME shocks are pretty firm, but nothing like the Camburg/Sway a Ways I tried. Those felt as if the shocks were locked out, super harsh.
Could your air bags be contributing to the less than desirable ride in the rear? I don't think that switching to a 5165 will change the ride much but will keep the heat down compared to the 5100's. It's funny, in the 20 or so years of ownership I have never once got out and checked my shock temperature.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I usually run the air bags at 0 psi unless I have a proper load in the bed or am towing.

Recommendations on a linear valved shock and a softer spring for the front? I've been thinking about replacing shocks and coils. Any experience Eibach shocks or first gens?

Thanks