Suspension upgrade questions

I need to replace the stock shocks on my 2003 XC. I was thinking of going with the Bilstein 5100s all around with OME 881 springs. Do I have to use an AAL in the rear to keep the truck level? If the answer is yes, should I just replace the entire spring pack? The leaf springs on my truck look pretty rusty.

 

I am running the 881s on eibachs and love them. I don't have experience with the AAL but after i installed my new coil overs, my truck was slightly higher in the front. maybe 1"-1.5" higher than the rear. I recently put a 1" block in the back because I am sort of in the same boat as you, I am not sure if I want to put an AAL or get a new spring pack since I am throwing around the idea of setting my truck up for overlanding. I can send you some pics of what my truck looked like before and after the block if you want.

If you are worried about the condition of your springs and have the cash, i would say replace them for the peace of mind.

 

Depending on how you drive the vehicle will determine what some of us will recommend.

I will say though, replacing your leaf pack, even with an OEM-equivalent, will raise the truck a good few inches as those leaf springs tend to flatten out (or worse, frown) giving you an overall lower-than-stock height.

When you figure out what you'll do with the truck, and what you're trying to accomplish, we can give you solid suggestions.

 

Rust isn't really an issue, assuming it's just surface rust. The problem is sag from old age. If your springs are rusty to the point they are beginning to fail, guaranteed your frame is WAY worse, lol....

How many miles are on the truck? You have a 2.7 or 3.4L?

An add-a-leaf would definitely help, but yeah, it is kind of a band-aid fix for sagging old springs. But just replacing the whole pack isn't going to make it level (unless you get lift springs), since the 881s are lift springs, so you'd still be higher in the front, even with new rear springs.

 

Tacoma leafs run pretty flat even when new. Mine have been pretty flat since it was a year old.

Mine are more “w” shaped, now, and as they wear, that “w” gets more pronounced.

 

As I typed what I said, I was thinking "springs run pretty flat already" which you just pin pointed.

It's when they're sad, that they're in bad shape

 

No, 5100s will level it just fine. Stock the rear sits up a little higher than the front. I think just straight up swapping the leaf springs out would be fine. I went 5100s all around and Deaver J59s in the rear, which give it a decent lift similar to an AAL setup, a while ago and I was left w/ a mean stink bug stance and that was with the billies maxed out in height up front

 

Here's a thread with before and after pics from my suspension upgrade.

Since I couldn't see before and after pictures of a suspension upgrade in progress, I had a lot of anxiety about the purchase.

If I owned a heavier V6 4x4, I would have went with 881s. This 880 combo works to produce a "mild lift" for my lighter PreRunner.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...s-ome-880-bil-5100-aal-1-5-suspension.631448/

 

My truck has about 117,000 miles on it. The frame was replaced back in 2012 (if I recall correctly). It is the 3.4 V6 with an automatic.

I don’t use the truck for any real 4-wheeling. Mostly just fire roads and that kind of thing. I am about to replace wheels/tires and am going the steel wheel (17” FJ Cruiser) with narrow tires (I dig that look).

 

Was wondering when you'd chime in here...

 

You can also check into shackles for the rear. I used shackles when I put 5100 on my 2003.