Any tips/wishyouwoulda's before I get my lift done?

[FalseProph]

So far I've got bilstein 5100's for the front and rear, JBA adj. UCA's, going with Enkei TrailCross 17x9 w/ +20mm offset, 275/70R17 Toyo Open Country AT III (load range E) for rims and tires. Still haven't decided on coil springs, or the height I want to go... I hear a lot of good things about the Eibach Stage 2's, but was planning on getting medium OME's for a more comfortable ride. From what I've read I shouldn't have to do any fender cutting, and it sounds like I should save myself the headache and take it to the stealership to get an alignment done after install. I do light off-roading in Ohio, but when I'm hunting in southern ohio some of those old logging trails can get kind of sketchy so I was looking for a happy medium of on road comfort and being able to confidently take it where I need to, consider me a sponge for information and any tips/tricks!

Sponsored

 

[Yotota]

Stock coil springs - no need to go any taller in the rear with that size tire. The front 5100s can be set to add ~1" of lift and it'll be good. No need for UCAs at that small of lift height.

E-rates tires are harsh and heavy. I'll never run them again on anything less than a 3/4 ton. C-Rated is perfect under a ~5000lb truck.

Find an independent alignment shop who works on performance cars and lowered "stance" cars and lifted trucks. They will be way better than the dealership.

 

[Taco Ji]

I have 285/70/17 tires with zero offset wheels and the dealership couldn’t manage to set my truck for alignment due to the track being too wide. I ended up going to a 4x4 truck shop to do my alignment.

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

Total chaos up for control arms with a full king suspension and new king droplinks with Dobson 819 rear coils.
Amazing ride and unmatched performance.

 

[Taco Ji]

Total chaos up for control arms with a full king suspension and new king droplinks with Dobson 819 rear coils.
Amazing ride and unmatched performance.

Any comments on how it rides compared to factory ride characteristics? Thanks

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

The way my truck is set up. It is a much softer ride than factory yet holds itself much better than stock in the corners.
My setup is around 2000lb over the stock curb weight and still handles amazing, and bumps are a thing of the past.

 

[Taco Ji]

The way my truck is set up. It is a much softer ride than factory yet holds itself much better than stock in the corners.
My setup is around 2000lb over the stock curb weight and still handles amazing, and bumps are a thing of the past.

When you say bumps are a think of the past do you mean the “jolting” feeling when going over imperfection roads?

 

[Yotota]

When you say bumps are a think of the past do you mean the “jolting” feeling when going over imperfection roads?

I'll let him speak for his truck, but I'll give my impression of similar suspension I've owned/driven in the past (Icon, King, etc).

As long as the suspension is properly tuned for the truck weight and spring rate...

Harshness practically disappears from any sharp bump the truck hits. Washboards and stutter bumps get absorbed by the shocks and don't make it through the steering wheel or chassis. Deeper compressions are smooth and controlled - I could [lightly] jump my GX470 and it felt like it didn't leave the ground.

The downside to all that performance is the maintenance - these shocks are not "install and forget" parts, they need fluid and o-ring changes every 25-30k onroad or 5-10k moderate offroad miles. If you're pushing them hard offroad, they need service every 2-3k miles. Full rebuilds with new bushings and seal heads every 2-3 oil changes, depending on conditions. Every service needs a nitrogen recharge too.

You either need to get really good at suspension work and invest in ~$1k of tools/equipment, or have a good suspension shop ready to do the work for you. And hopefully they are local because shipping your shocks every time they need work SUCKS.

 

[Taco Ji]

Thank you! That was very helpful especially the additions maintenance part that is needed.

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

When you say bumps are a think of the past do you mean the “jolting” feeling when going over imperfection roads?

Exactly.It takes all the jolting and jostling out of the ride. I reel it in the deep sand all the time, it likes to catch air and lands beautifully

 

[Yotota]

Thank you! That was very helpful especially the additions maintenance part that is needed.

Glad to help. I miss my last Icon setup because I could drive the heck out of it, and the truck handled everything. But the maintenance is a harsh reality that most people don't talk about. If the maintenance is neglected, the main shock parts themselves start to fail and once the shaft and body are worn out it's effectively cheaper to replace the whole shock.

 

[Taco Ji]

Would you say that the factory shocks are maintenance free and just needs to be replaced when failing?

 

[Taco Ji]

Exactly.It takes all the jolting and jostling out of the ride. I reel it in the deep sand all the time, it likes to catch air and lands beautifully

I’m interested in this mod now haha.

 

[Yotota]

Would you say that the factory shocks are maintenance free and just needs to be replaced when failing?

Yes - the factory shocks are sealed units that wear out eventually, and then get replaced. Same with the majority of aftermarket shocks like Bilstein 5100/6100 series.

Sealed shocks are fine for 99% of truck owners. I'm sticking with them on this Taco for the sake of keeping things simple and avoiding maintenance headaches down the road.

Sponsored