Hi All,
I have Fleet Flatbed that will be arriving in a month or two (so excited!) and in the meantime I purchased a 2016 Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed, TRD-Offroad, and a UTE aluminium flatbed. I have been working to get the truck ready for the camper and am trying to figure out what to do to upgrade the suspension. Reading through the various threads and getting feedback here and on Expedition Portal, has been very informative, but I am still in a quandary as to how to approach the suspension. To set the stage, the camper will be on full time, this will be a weekend driver only, and I do expect to do some mild - moderate four wheel driving. My best estimate is that full loaded, the camper + gear + people will range from 1500 - 1800lbs over the stock empty weight.
My original thought was to get a custom leaf pack from Alcan, specified for ~1500lb of weight, OME BP51 adjustable shocks all around, firestone airbags and install it all before the camper arrives. These seems like the safest option, bordering on overkill. The more I think about it, the more I am wondering if I should just start off with OME Dakar's with the D29XL add-a-leaf.
My questions are:
1) Are the BP51's worth the cost (~$2800 for four shocks)? I am leaning towards them mainly for the adjustability and ride quality. My application is fairly unique, so I was hopping overtime I can dial in the settings for the best ride quality. Are there other (hopefully less expensive) shocks I should be considering?
2) Is it worth trying the Dakar leaf springs first? My current thought is that they may work out to be sufficient with airbag. If they turn out not to be suitable, they will allow me to figure out the exact rear wheel weights to provide to Alcan or Deaver for having a custom pack made. I am worried that I will have a significant side to side imbalance, as in the flatbed, all the cabinetry and appliances are on the drivers side, which is already the heavy side on the Tacoma. If I can measure this imbalance, I can then have a custom pack made with different springs to account for this. I figure if the Dakars don't cut it, I will only be out about $200 (after selling them) and will end up with a better custom leaf spring in the end.
3) What is the consensus on airbags? If I have custom springs made, should I spec them for my minimum weight and rely on the airbags to compensate anything over that? Are firestone ride rites the best choice?
4) Is it worth using daystar cradles with firestone airbags?
Sorry for the long list of questions, and thanks in advance!
I have Fleet Flatbed that will be arriving in a month or two (so excited!) and in the meantime I purchased a 2016 Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed, TRD-Offroad, and a UTE aluminium flatbed. I have been working to get the truck ready for the camper and am trying to figure out what to do to upgrade the suspension. Reading through the various threads and getting feedback here and on Expedition Portal, has been very informative, but I am still in a quandary as to how to approach the suspension. To set the stage, the camper will be on full time, this will be a weekend driver only, and I do expect to do some mild - moderate four wheel driving. My best estimate is that full loaded, the camper + gear + people will range from 1500 - 1800lbs over the stock empty weight.
My original thought was to get a custom leaf pack from Alcan, specified for ~1500lb of weight, OME BP51 adjustable shocks all around, firestone airbags and install it all before the camper arrives. These seems like the safest option, bordering on overkill. The more I think about it, the more I am wondering if I should just start off with OME Dakar's with the D29XL add-a-leaf.
My questions are:
1) Are the BP51's worth the cost (~$2800 for four shocks)? I am leaning towards them mainly for the adjustability and ride quality. My application is fairly unique, so I was hopping overtime I can dial in the settings for the best ride quality. Are there other (hopefully less expensive) shocks I should be considering?
2) Is it worth trying the Dakar leaf springs first? My current thought is that they may work out to be sufficient with airbag. If they turn out not to be suitable, they will allow me to figure out the exact rear wheel weights to provide to Alcan or Deaver for having a custom pack made. I am worried that I will have a significant side to side imbalance, as in the flatbed, all the cabinetry and appliances are on the drivers side, which is already the heavy side on the Tacoma. If I can measure this imbalance, I can then have a custom pack made with different springs to account for this. I figure if the Dakars don't cut it, I will only be out about $200 (after selling them) and will end up with a better custom leaf spring in the end.
3) What is the consensus on airbags? If I have custom springs made, should I spec them for my minimum weight and rely on the airbags to compensate anything over that? Are firestone ride rites the best choice?
4) Is it worth using daystar cradles with firestone airbags?
Sorry for the long list of questions, and thanks in advance!
