Suspension Upgrade Question (with photo)

Hello,

I'm thinking of upgrading my suspension. My truck is pretty much stock. 2012 AC TRD OR I recently added a contractor cap that's heavy as hell. Every once in a while I way overload it as shown in photo below. I am a carpenter so the truck always has the cap on it + often another ~200 lbs in tools and materials.

I live and work in rural areas, often on bumpy roads. I also like to explore deep wilderness (within reason, Im looking for extreme terrain, just trying to get to where other people aren't).
Right now I am thinking that doing Bilsteins 5100 on the front with ~1.5" lift and airbags in the bag. I am also weighing the cost/gain on a new leaf pack.

Let me know you think. Ive been doing some googling and talking to some people but Im curious what other people with similar set ups have to say about ride quality etc.

 

Airbags are fine but nothing beats a full leaf pack. Since you have the cap and 200 lbs of tools, I'd go full leaf pack. You'll get more lift but it will handle the weight better in my opinion. I have Deaver U402 stage 2 leafs with similar weight and they work great but lift is like 2.5".

 

How much do you want to spend? If you want to solve the problem once and for all and can drop $7K or so, FOX 2.5s w/ DSC + Deaver U402 leafs are great. I can carry ~1500 lbs in the bed no problem now.

If you don't want to spend that kind of $$, probably some form of Bilstein setup will work.

 

For that type of load (relatively heavy, permanent), I'd recommend a full leaf pack, not AAL. Just keep in mind that when you lift even that small amount, it messes with driveline angles, so you might get the transfer case bushing rumble or other rear driveline issues requiring tweaks.

 

Thanks for all the help. Is there chance that if I ad a full leave pack I may end up needing to do the control arms as well?

I forgot to mention I do occasional towing. That being the case, would it make sense to add air bags and a new leaf pack?

I definitely do not want to spend $7k, I'd be happier in the $3-$4k range.

Thanks!

 

I guess also I should ask if I do just airbags for now can I add full leaf pack later? I know that I physically can I am more asking if there is a chance I do damage to anything other than the leafs by overloading the truck.

 

I believe you would only need to replace the upper control arms if you lift the front more than about 1.5 inches. Mine was raised about 2.0 inches in the front (I think), and had a tough time getting into proper alignment on the stock UCA's. It was drivable, but definitely not ideal. I opted to replace mine so I could get the alignment into a more comfortable place.

There's a chance you may not need to change the front suspension at all if you're not adding weight to the front. The leaf packs will add some height to the rear, but the shell and other loads will push it back down (depending on the leaf pack you get and the load). There may be a chance that increasing the rigidity of the rear and not changing the front could lead to some unwanted suspension imbalance, but I'm not sure on that.

If you want my advice, I'd say start with either leaf packs or airbags (or both) for the rear, and see where it lands. From there, you can adjust the front (or not) accordingly by choosing springs that achieve the stiffness and height you want to balance the rear as desired. I don't know anything about airbags, so others will have to contribute to that part of the discussion.

 

Chevy 63 if you get the one with 3 springs it should be enough and it can be done for cheap.

 

I think you'd be happy/happier with the ride and performance of a full leaf pack replacement. If the full leaf pack adds height then you'll need new rear extended shocks.. so you're looking at probably something like ~$1200 minimum before addressing the front (springs and shocks.)

If you want an inexpensive/quick solution then ride-rite airbags OR a 3 leaf progressive AAL (add a leaf) may work for you.

 

Thanks @Gen3TacomaOBX and everyone else. Im currently pricing out options with my mechanic. I'll let yall know and post some pics when I get it all settled.

 

Not sure if anyone is still interested here, but my mechanic seems really convinced that if I add a full new leaf pack the truck is really not going to drive well. He is strongly suggesting I just do airbags in the back and bilstein 5100s in the front. The leaf pack I would be adding is likely a Deaver stage 3. Does anyone have any experience to confirm this or dispute it?

Thanks

 

It's worth noting, I think my cap and rack are probably about 350 lbs together (very rough guess). The cap will always stay on, but ~500 lbs of tools and materials will fluctuate throughout any given week.

 

Seems like Deaver Stage II + airbags would get pretty close. I imagine there's some sag using the stock springs. If you're ok with the current ride while no tools are in the back, then I'd agree with just adding airbags (for when you have the tools).

 

I run the Deaver U402 Stage III. The load rating for the Stage IIIs, 700-1000 lbs for the pair, is legit and means business. If you have less than ~700 lbs above stock empty weight, the leafs wont flex properly and the ride will be "stiff." If under 600 lbs the ride will be like a buck-board.

The reason Deavers come in Stage I, II, and III is to accomodate different static loads. With +500 lbs of permanently-attached accessories on my Taco (aluminum contractor cap, full lumber rack, steel plate rear bumper, full 5-gallon jerry can, etc.), I still need to carry an extra +250 lbs of ballast to get the heavy rear leafs into their comfortable flex zone.

I chose to go with heavy leafs because I want to be able to carry lots of extra weight and/or trailer and not have to think about long-term durability, leaks in the air bags, etc. With these heavy-duty leafs (+ large, high-capacity shocks on all 4 corners) I can put +1500 lbs of broken concrete in the bed, still have 1 to 1.5" above the tall foam bump stops, and drive comfortably & safely.

Just be sure whatever leafs you choose are matched to the average excess static weight (beyond stock) on your truck. And/or be ready to carry the required extra ballast weight as needed.

 

Here's what the Deaver U402 stage 2 look like with 1,200 pounds of stone in the bed and a camper shell. The leafs sagged about 1/2" from where they normally sit. They aren't rated for that much but stage 2 are plenty beefy, and then when you ride empty (but still with the camper shell) it won't be harsh.

Stage 3, in my opinion based on how stage 2 has performed, is overkill and should only be used for the fattest of overland piggies.

 

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all your help. I finally added airbags in the back and Bilstien 5100's in the front. Ive been keeping 50 pounds of air in the back and got the bilstiens at there first click (about an inch of lift). I like the way it's been riding that way full and empty. I think I am going to add new shocks in the back to match the front. I'll post some pics when the weathers not horrendous with the truck real loaded.