Thoughts on stiffening suspension

Hey All-

I'm looking for some advice on my suspension!

I've got a 2020 DCLB OR with 27k on it. We're planning on living out the back of it for a two month climbing trip so one of my concerns is the constant weight that I'll be adding to the bed.

What we'll have in the bed:

-sleeping platform w/ drawers
-bed cap
-cargo box
-platform storage

In total, I estimate the setup will add an additional 650-750lbs to the bed of my truck. Some additional weight will be added to inside of the cab (maybe 150lbs). We're expecting to travel about 15k miles on this trip and some of those will be on rough roads. I also plan to keep the platform back there pretty much permanently once this trip is over.

I'm already noticing the back deflect quite a bit with cap, platform, and power tools stored back there. Does anybody have any input on if I should upgrade my suspension to accommodate this or not?

Please share your thoughts, ideas, and criticisms!

Cheers

 

Sounds like a new leaf pack is in order. And compatible shocks.

A concern would be exceeding the rated load capacity of the truck, which includes passengers and gear in cab as well as what's in the bed

 

Absolutely. At the bare minimum, get some firestone airbags. But ideally, heavier springs/

$190 add-a-leaf kit for 1995-2023 toyota tacoma - 21.5" short AAL set with isolator pads and square bend u-bolts

add-a-leaf kit plus airbags for load adjustability.

I’ll be ordering some Dobinson springs from exitoffroad shortly. You might want the light-medium springs for your application.

 

Welcome to TW. I would recommend a beefier leaf pack as well as beefier shocks that can properly dampen the load and hold up to rough terrain. I would also really recommend Archive Garage hammer hangers. It replaces the rear leaf mounting point with a much stronger one and helps the back feel more planted/less chattery over bumpy terrain.

@ARCHIVE

https://archivegarage.com/explore-archive/ols/products/tacoma-hammer-hangers

For leafs, depends on your budget. I would either recommend Dobinsons or Deavers, but deavers are double the price.


https://www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pro...oyota~md_tacoma~yr_2005-2015-suspension-parts


Shocks, these are good for the price.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p84/Bilstein_5160_Rear_Shock_with_Reservoir_(PAIR)_-_05__Tacoma.html




One thing to keep in mind is this will provide a little lift, so you'll want to address the front as well. Or if you're not looking for that, a good solution is airbags as mentioned above. I would still upgrade to hammer hangers and shocks as well if budget allows. It'll make for a much nicer ride.

 

OP - it would be good to know your budget. Some are recommending several thousands dollars of leafs, shocks, and even shackle mount replacements. The basic story is that springs (coil in front, leafs in rear) hold the truck at desirable ride height, and shocks modulate the compression and rebound of the springs when articulating.

Most readily available rear leaf replacements are going to give you some lift, even with a loaded rear. This means you'll need to replace rear shocks at a minimum (to accommodate the lift) and likely need to lift the front a bit as well unless you want major rake on your truck. Alternatively, you could have a custom leaf pack made (Deaver, Alcan) that will increase spring rate but provide minimal lift, but they'll cost you $800 - $1000. Also the ride of the truck will be stiffer/rougher when unloaded.

Airbags are another great solution, relatively cheap (at least compared to a suspension upgrade) and can be deflated when the truck is not loaded to go back to factory ride quality. You will lose down travel on your rear axle, however, so any off-roading beyond fire roads you'll risk the potential of tearing a bag.

If I were you, I'd consider Bilstein 5100s or Old Man Emu nitro shocks front and rear with ~1.5 - 2" of lift in the front. Then go with a nice expedition or HD leaf pack for the rear such as Dobinson, OME Dakar, or the Icon RXT at the middle setting. This will cost you ~$1500 and dramatically improve ride quality and load control. If your budget is higher, you can go with better (more expensive) shocks such as Billstein 6112/5160, Fox 2.0, or Icon 2.0 all the way up to adjustable remote reservoir shocks like Elka 2.5 DSC (which I have and love love love), or those goofy looking blue ones all the bros use.

Here's a link to the Bilstein 5100/Dakar setup at Headstrong:
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p312/OME_Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_w/_Dakars_(HS05BK-1-Dakar).html

 

Dakars are dog shit, please don't buy dakars OP.

 

My dakars have been fine.

 

I've been through two sets. They ride rough, squeak, and can't hold an arch for shit. They like to make a nice W shape. I thought they were OK until I experienced a nicer leaf pack. I have icon RXT now and it's truly a night and day difference.

I'm not the only one with that experience either, loads on TW say the same thing. That's why I recommended dobinsons. Better pack at a comparable, budget-friendly price.

 

Thanks for the quick replies everyone!

I'm leaning towards a new leaf kit and shocks for the rear atleast. Do you have any idea how much lift that would add if I went with light-medium setup?

Also to lift the front to balance things out would I need to replace coils and shocks?

Thanks.

 

The dobinsons leafs I linked earlier will provide 2.1" lift with 600 lbs in the bed. For the front, yes you would replace the shocks and coils.

 

FFS

 

Do you have any recommendations for lower to middle cost range coil/shock set that would give that same 2" lift in the front?

 

This would cover front and rear and then the only other thing you'd need is a leaf pack, which I recommend the dobinsons linked earlier.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p440/OME_Coil/Bilstein_5100_Kit_-_(HS05BK-1).html

 

Also to @anthemAnathema point. My budget for this is ideally around 2k. I would like to make sure I'm making a quality and balanced improvement to the truck. Hopefully that way I'll still happy with it when the truck has 100k on it

 

Stock leaf is quite flat as is. This what they look like with about 400lbs right now. Not very confidence inspiring. The final setup/gear will be 600-700lbs.



I am looking at the Dobinson L59-111-R or L59-112-R

The L59-112-R's seem like they would be pretty damn stiff but the load rating listed on their site seems appropriate. Giving 2" at 600lbs for DCLB. Maybe I'm not understanding the load correctly. Is this for load rating for a single or pair of springs? Also do I assume half of total payload because it will get distributed between the front and rear suspension?

L59-112-R and L59-111-R
https://www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pro...oyota~md_tacoma~yr_2016-2021-suspension-parts

Additionally, I'm thinking the Bilstein 5100 kit for shocks. Will these do the job with either leaf spring listed above?

Thanks again to the folks in here that provided their recommendations.

 

650lb ATV and not even sagging a bit. Also this is 1700lbs flooring. All Pro Expedition leafs handled it no problem.

 

If you go climb on Baffin Island. You won't need that truck.

 

You're right. All I'd have to do is buy a sailboat and sailboats don't require upgraded suspension. That's probably the move.

 

Don't overthink the load rating. If you have 600 lbs in the bed and the 112-R say they'll provide 2" lift with 600 lbs, that's what you want. @Crikeymike is the dobinsons guy and can answer any specific questions.

 

If it were me, I’d probably opt for the 111’s (along with airbags and cradles) so that if I ever have the weight out of the bed, I wouldn’t have an excessively stiff suspension.

5100’s are only rated for 1” of lift in the rear, IIRC, so you might want to keep looking on shocks. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of great suggestions here.