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Suspension set up - Towing

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Xjman1, Jun 24, 2016.

  1. Jun 24, 2016 at 10:50 PM
    #1
    Xjman1

    #1
    Xjman1 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
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    Male
    First Name:
    JB
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma TRD 4X4 X-CAB
    King coil overs, Rear shackle lift
    Debating on which direction I want to go with and looking for opinions. Working with a 2004 Xtra Cab 4x4 TRD V6 Manual w/120k miles to tow a Lance 1575 Trailer. Already towed it to Big Bear and it towed awesome so lets not get hung up on that.

    Current: Sway Away Coil overs in front, Downey lift shackles in rear w/Bilstein shocks. Stock leaf springs with
    $105 Hellwig 550 EZ-550 Helper Spring Kit
    Hellwig 550 helpers on the way. When trailer is hooked up and dirt bike in bed I loose almost 2.5" in rear. I have no idea how long any of this has been used or how worn components are.

    Option1: Rebuild Coil overs, add Helper springs and leave as is. It works, don't fix it, tune it.

    Option 2: Old Man Emu Heavy duty kit. Replaces all unknowns I have about suspension and gives me all fresh springs, shocks, etc. Can it handle weight better? Does it sit higher? Lower? Same? Better for load?

    Truck will be used primarily to tow trailer vs. off-road work. As it sits now I need a 9" drop bar for trailer to sit level, so if any more height would be best avoided.
    Also I have All Pro Offroad UCA's ready to go on.
     
    Xjman1, Jun 24, 2016
    #1
  2. Jun 25, 2016 at 1:30 AM
    #2
    Wyoming09

    #2
    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    New Tripoli Pa
    Vehicle:
    2000 Work truck 5 speed 4x4 3.4
    Super Springs
    I like my Super springs but they need to be installed with newer or new rear springs

    Then are you fixing to drag this trailer on a 15,000 mile trip or just once every few weekends for a few miles ??
     
    Wyoming09, Jun 25, 2016
    #2
  3. Jun 25, 2016 at 6:06 AM
    #3
    Xjman1

    #3
    Xjman1 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Gender:
    Male
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    JB
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma TRD 4X4 X-CAB
    King coil overs, Rear shackle lift
    Right now trips will be around 500 miles evry couple of weeks. Next year we willl be looking at around a 3000 mile trip.
     
    Xjman1, Jun 25, 2016
    #3
  4. Jun 25, 2016 at 8:13 AM
    #4
    Mikeybuck

    #4
    Mikeybuck Well-Known Member

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    SW WA
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    I'm real happy with my OME Dakar springs when towing.
    If your rear springs are still in good shape, just get a set of air bags.
     
    Mikeybuck, Jun 25, 2016
    #4
  5. Jun 25, 2016 at 11:06 AM
    #5
    Xjman1

    #5
    Xjman1 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    JB
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    2004 Tacoma TRD 4X4 X-CAB
    King coil overs, Rear shackle lift
    IMAG1715.jpgAs she sat getting ready to climb grade up to big bear.
     
    Xjman1, Jun 25, 2016
    #5
    Loco38SUP and PROseur like this.
  6. Jun 25, 2016 at 11:40 AM
    #6
    Itchyfeet

    #6
    Itchyfeet Well-Known Member

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    Were you able to keep a decent speed going up that grade?
     
    Itchyfeet, Jun 25, 2016
    #6
  7. Jun 25, 2016 at 1:57 PM
    #7
    Xjman1

    #7
    Xjman1 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    271
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    First Name:
    JB
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma TRD 4X4 X-CAB
    King coil overs, Rear shackle lift
    Maintained an easy 45mph, could have pulled more but the motorhomes were slower. That helped as I didn't feel like I was the one backing everyone up.
    Did also have to stop because a bagged mini truck was broke on the worst part of the mountain. Got right back up to speed with no issues.
     
    Xjman1, Jun 25, 2016
    #7
  8. Jun 25, 2016 at 7:12 PM
    #8
    Northern Taco

    #8
    Northern Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    2022 Tacoma trd off road premium 2023 tundra trd off road
    My 4 cylinder just pooped its pants reading this. But at least it's easy on gas.
     
    Northern Taco, Jun 25, 2016
    #8
  9. Jun 25, 2016 at 8:10 PM
    #9
    Xjman1

    #9
    Xjman1 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
    271
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    JB
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma TRD 4X4 X-CAB
    King coil overs, Rear shackle lift
    My lil 99 was great on gas and towed my 3000# pop up trailer well. It has 280k and still going strong. Gave it to father in law as he needed a truck and insurance paid me out well.
     
    Xjman1, Jun 25, 2016
    #9

Products Discussed in

Hellwig 550 EZ-550 Helper Spring Kit
$104.64
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