Suspension upgrade recommendation with new Vagabond Drifter?

Hey folks,
I'm looking at doing a full suspension upgrade on my 2002 4cyl 4wd Tacoma. I am looking for recommendations. I will be carrying a constant weight of 600-700lbs with the Vagabond Drifter and buildout. My parameters are reasonable cost (2000ish), 1-2" of lift, but not 3" (I'm short and already have to pull myself into the truck), smooth ride. I'm going to use the truck on rough forest service roads and washed out 2 tracks in the west, and want to be able to get way back into the backcountry with moderate off-roading, but don't need it to be an off-roading super beast. I've looked at the following:

Custom Deaver leaf springs with new shock/strut/coils, but not sure about what to pair with the Deavers. OME? Bilstein? $800+ for the leaf springs alone not including installation. I'm in southern California, so I could make a trip to Deaver for the install, but I haven't built out the back yet and it would likely be better to have it built out before doing this. And I'd have to pay for installation of the rest of the suspension at a different shop. Priciest option.

Complete OME package: Wheelers Off Road $1237 not including installation. I think this will give me minimum 2.5" lift, a little more than I want.

I'm out of my element trying to research all of this, and have been researching and scouring the forums for several months. I'm learning a lot, but I'm no motorhead. I'm ready for other folks' input.

Other recommendations? Anyone have a suspension package they are really happy about? Am I lowballing this upgrade? Let's hear what you all have to say.

 

Free bump as I posted something similar in the gfc thread. I am personally looking at the ome kit with hd Dakar’s for my set up. I think the go fast camper is a little lighter.

 

I say build the bed out first. Get a solid idea of how many lbs youll be at. After that your options will be narrowed. I would imagine all that weight cycling on forest roads would warrant atleast a 2.0 remote resi shock in the rear. Bilstein 5160 over the standard OME nitros.

Edit : A good source of video content for shocks is Filthy Motorsports on youtube. He deals mainly in Kings but his videos will show you the ins and outs. Id even call him and have him recommend a setup.

 

Deavers get my vote. They will build a custom pack to fit your needs based on weight and lift requirements/requests. Since you’re close to them it should be fairly easy. Took me two tries but they shipped out the replacement leafs at no cost to me and made sure I got exactly what I wanted.

 

Nice looking rig, and the Drifter looks great on a first gen!

Probably Deavers, since you are in Cali, but I hear good things about AlCans- depends on how bad you get skinned on sales tax I guess.
I am currently running an OME exp pack with a their AAL. I carry a fair bit of weight topper, gear and tools, say about 400-500 continuously currently my truck is basically level:
So with that said, everything I am reading about setting up for a Drifter points to custom or Deavers/AlCans- etc. check out this TW thread link: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/vagabond-drifter-camper-buildout-and-mods.540940/

Lots of good info there. Taco47 has the right idea I think, get your build sorted out, then go for springs, you will have good baseline requirements at that point and the fog will clear somewhat.

Looking forward to seeing which way you go on this, as I was planning on putting down a deposit on a Drifter this fall, but it has been rona rescheduled to next fall.

 

So I ended up going with an OME package with Dakars. I got the upgrade in the winter, and it's had a chance to settle in. It tightened up the ride a lot, the Dakars are squeaky like folks say, and I'm starting to feel like the springs are at capacity with the mostly empty truck bed and Drifter. I've had a fully loaded down with gear for a few months this summer, and while I really like the upgrade over stock, I think I would have been happier with Deavers. It feels like the Dakars are a little under performing for what they should be under the constant weight of the Drifter. I haven't built the truck out yet, so adding 150 more pounds or more of cabinetry as constant weight might push me into AAL territory or bopping over to Deaver to have them fix me up a little better.

I appreciate all of the suggestions!

 

air bags are adjustable ..............will level U out loaded or empty

without being harsh........work great with stock or aftermarket leaf springs

they wont provide U any appreciable lift

 

Sorry to revive old post but do you have any more pictures of the fitment of that camper?

 

Here are a few more photos. The one issue I have with the 1st gen truck is that the inside windows of my truck and the camper don't line up. The camper was made for a 2nd gen and newer truck, and the back window placement in those trucks is a different height than the 1st gen. The camper is also a tiny bit wider than my bed, it would be flush on a newer Tacoma, but that's no problem.