Suspension Suggestions

My first post, so I apologize if I made a mistake with this post or it’s thread location.

I am looking to purchase the best suspension available for my truck, (2010 Tacoma DBC 4x4 6-speed) but am unsure of applicability. I just received orders to Eielson, AK where temperatures can fall to -60 in the winter and rise to 99 in the summer. I am looking at King suspensions, but I don’t know if they are adequate as I want the best suspension without excessive maintenance or down time if possible. I would be utilizing it for weekend camping trips as well as off-road exploring. 60% driving would be to and from work while the other would be for recreational use. I am the research/buy once, cry once type and any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hey Scotty,

There are actually a lot of different options you can go with!

Determine what your overall goal is and also what your overall budget is going to be.

I can definitely assist you with this.

Email me...JT@Bajakits.com

JT

 

Wow, what a tough environment to be in!

I really don't have any idea what would be "recommended" for that. But I do know that a lot of things won't like those temps.

 

I love my Stage 7 Icon full suspension system. Then I upgraded my coils and went with a custom leaf pack by modifying the All Pro Expedition springs. There are some rebuild recommendations based on mileage though. My truck drives and rides like a caddy in all terrain and conditions. It’s fully adjustable so I can dial it in for whatever is required. Strongly recommend the Icon system. It’s not a low cost mod but well worth it to me.

 

For what you are using your truck for I don’t think you need to do anything special with the suspension. Depending on if they’ve been replaced or not I’d just consider new bilstein shocks. You can call the company and ask them if any problems with their shocks at super low temps and what they recommend.
At 60 below nothing works right. Metal gets brittle and breaks easier, batteries fail, blocks crack and so on. You should get a block heater and garage your truck at night. Although I do not usually recommend synthetic oil, you should probably run synthetic in those temps.
It will be very very very rare that you’ll see 60 below or 99. Even 90 is quite rare and considered a heat wave. Generally you won’t see lows more than a couple degrees below 0 in winter and highs in the summer maybe in the 70’s. And wind chill is not a factor with vehicles, you go by the actual temperature.

 

Sprig is giving you good advice. I saw plenty of stock vehicles in the same places I got to on the alpine loop and other off road areas and trails. Got passed by an old Audi going up to the top of Jones Pass last summer. Fully built with best quality parts is awesome ....but expensive and really not necessary for most conditions.

 

Which doesn't say much. The conditions of the surface you are on and the speeds you intend to drive them matter. A lot. And if it's rough terrain, tires that can take some abuse matter almost more than the suspension, in terms of returning home.

So every 10k you drive, 4k will be off roading? Unless you are one of the bush people, that seems pretty high to me.

But if accurate, there is a lot more than suspension to be considered. Including 1st class recovery gear (and experience using it) and a com set up that will let you get help when things go wonky.