Toytec Suspension Upgrades

C

Cort

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422
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Near Arcata, CA/Northern CA
Okay here is the situation, I have an 01 TRD V6 Tacoma that I need to do some upgrades on. I have an ARB bumper (125 lbs) with winch (80lbs). I will be installing an ATC Bobcat on May 14 (the days are just crawling) = 700 lbs AUW...I think). I upgraded to Load Range E tires and installed firestone air bags in the rear. Now I need to think about my front end coils and shocks. Here is what I am thinking so far. I don't really want a lift...although 1" or so is fine. Seems like the OME 882 would be good(considering the added weight of the bumber and winch) for the front with the 90004 shock (Does this lift the truck 3"?).
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58615&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58751&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

The other option, if I am not mistaken is the TT-AFCS Bilstein coil over set up with either the 600 or 650 coils. Looks like I can adjust the ride height with the TT-AFCS between 0" and 3.5".
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58610&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

I assume that the TCK-D4 is not appropriate due to the 500 coil.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58855&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

Am I on the right track here? At some point I will have to upgrade my rear shocks as well but I think I need to get the front end figured out first. Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cort
 
Okay here is the situation, I have an 01 TRD V6 Tacoma that I need to do some upgrades on. I have an ARB bumper (125 lbs) with winch (80lbs). I will be installing an ATC Bobcat on May 14 (the days are just crawling) = 700 lbs AUW...I think). I upgraded to Load Range E tires and installed firestone air bags in the rear. Now I need to think about my front end coils and shocks. Here is what I am thinking so far. I don't really want a lift...although 1" or so is fine. Seems like the OME 882 would be good(considering the added weight of the bumber and winch) for the front with the 90004 shock (Does this lift the truck 3"?).
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58615&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58751&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

The other option, if I am not mistaken is the TT-AFCS Bilstein coil over set up with either the 600 or 650 coils. Looks like I can adjust the ride height with the TT-AFCS between 0" and 3.5".
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58610&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

I assume that the TCK-D4 is not appropriate due to the 500 coil.
http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=58855&category_id=63&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

Am I on the right track here? At some point I will have to upgrade my rear shocks as well but I think I need to get the front end figured out first. Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cort



Hey Cort,

Will be watching this post with interest. We are picking up our new Bobcat three weeks after you and putting it on an 06 Tacoma. Am trying to figure out what suspension upgrades are needed. BTW, do folks feel that Load Range "E" tires needed for the Bobcat/Taco set up? I've got pretty low milage on a set of stock tires, and would rather not spend the $ for new ones if I don't need to . . . . however, I will if I need to. Thoughts?

Richard
 
Hi Richard: I have a fully loaded Bobcat on a 2001 Std Cab Tacoma. Don't go crazy buying things you do not need until you see how the camper sits on your truck. I am not too sure of the 06, but you need some extra stiffness in the rear. But, after that don't go crazy until you try it out. I have been running Toyo All Terrians and they are just fine. I also go into the back country a lot. I have Bilsteins all around, supersprings on the rear, and a helwig rear stabilizer. As a financial advisor I listed to says "Keep your money in your pockets".

Darryl
 
Hello Richard,

From just about everything I have read you should at least upgrade the tires that you have. I have done lots of hauling of various types of loads over the years and in my opinion the stock tires will NOT cut it at all. The sidewalls are to flimsy and they are not rated for the weight. I think upgrading your tires is the absolute most important thing. Do a search on here and you will find lots of info on tires and what people think. I know recently there was a thread on load range E tires vs load range C tires. Congratulations on the new Bobcat.

Cort
 
I have a Bobcat on a 2006 Tacoma. We did not order a fully loaded camper: refrigerator, furnace, and auxiliary battery are about it for weight adding extras. I also load light when traveling so I try not to overload the Tacoma too badly. I had the heavy springs put on by Toyota and use Air Lift bags running 20 psi. I ran 50 psi before the springs. I stayed with the original tires until one got a sidewall puncture (at home, not on the trail). I stayed with C load range because I don't do wild off road travel and E range is overkill for what I use the truck for. I know others will have other opinions, but this works well for me and my Bobcat/Tacoma.
 
Load range E tires on 16 or 17" wheels (TRD so you should already have 16"s)
OME 882 coils
Firestone bags
Bilstein 5100 shocks all around, front adjustable to dial in the ride height and preload

Then get an alignment after you've installed all the new stuff, and with the camper mounted and fully loaded

The RCD bils are superior in construction and valving to the Toytec coilovers and half the price. And really, there's quite a bit more to it than just "how the truck sits," especially when you've maxed already the load capacity of a little half ton truck before even pointing it down the road.
 
Load range E tires on 16 or 17" wheels (TRD so you should already have 16"s)
OME 882 coils
Firestone bags
Bilstein 5100 shocks all around, front adjustable to dial in the ride height and preload

Then get an alignment after you've installed all the new stuff, and with the camper mounted and fully loaded

The RCD bils are superior in construction and valving to the Toytec coilovers and half the price. And really, there's quite a bit more to it than just "how the truck sits," especially when you've maxed already the load capacity of a little half ton truck before even pointing it down the road.



Thanks for the great info BSS. Looks like I was heading down the correct road at least. I can't agree with you more on how import these upgrades are when you are talking about loading up these small trucks. I checked at the RCD site and I have to say its not as easy for me to navigate or figure out exactly what I need. I will keep digging on there to see if I can figure it out.

Thanks again for the help

Cort
 
Sorry, I should have been more specific. The Bilstein 5100 shocks were designed for Bilstein by Race Car Dynamics. The early ones were built by RCD, but I'm pretty sure Bilstein owns the design as well as the manufacturing now. Same shocks though.

You should be able to get all this stuf from Wheeler's off road. Great prices, and it looks like they're in your neck of the woods as well.
 
Sorry, I should have been more specific. The Bilstein 5100 shocks were designed for Bilstein by Race Car Dynamics. The early ones were built by RCD, but I'm pretty sure Bilstein owns the design as well as the manufacturing now. Same shocks though.

You should be able to get all this stuf from Wheeler's off road. Great prices, and it looks like they're in your neck of the woods as well.


Okay I will check out Wheelers and see what I can put together. One other thing I was wondering is if I am going to need to drop my front diff if I end up leveling the front a little? I don't want to put any unnecessary wear on the front drive components. The Toytech site seems to indicate this but it is not clear....they also seem to indicate that you have to use the OME 90004 shocks with the 882 coils but I can't see why. I don't really know anything more than I know I need to do this stuff in order to be safe out there.

Thanks again for your help

Cort
 
After doing a couple of days of research, calling some folks and chatting some more with BSS this is what I have learned. Everyone speaks highly of the OME products however the OME 882 coils will lift the truck a minimum of 2-inches. I also went back to looking at the toytech coil-over options I mentioned in my first post. It turns out that the TCK-D4 is an Eibach 600# coil and not a 500#. I think i could get away with a 600# coil but it would be pushing it. I know the Eibach coils are a very good product but the TCK-D4 kit seems really expensive, so I think i am going to wait till Monday and talk to the guys at Wheelers and throw their opinion into the mix. I am almost beginning to think that lifting the front end 2" may not be that bad. Oh yeah and I am going to do the Bilsteins all around, 5100s adjustable in the front and 5100s in the rear.

Have a good weekend everyone,

Cort
 
Can you guys send me your addresses? I want to give you my paperwork so you can adopt me since you have so much money to waste.

I will be a good son. "Just send money".

Darryl
 
Darryl,

Have you ever seen what an overloaded Tacoma with a stock suspension does when someone tries to make an evasive maneuver......I have and its not pretty. What you may consider a waste of money I consider necessary for the safety of my family and the others driving on the road around me.

just my two cents

Cort
 
I've overloaded the 4Runner front and rear. I'm leaning on having National Springs spin me a set of coils front and rear to my needs and lift. They can make the rear with a progressive rate as when I add the tounge weight of the Casita trailer it will support it.

Cost is cheaper than you think.
 
Cort: I was only somewhat kidding. But with that said, my point is only that since the camper is not on the truck yet, you may want to consider checking it out and seeing what you have before launching into an expensive upgrade process. Once you start into after market upgrades, it can get very expensive and you haven't solved the problem you first intended to.

Example: Folks here talk about air bags. Well, I followed guy who had a fully loaded Eagle one day on the same truck I have and he was listing all over the place. I stopped and spoke to him, he told me his tire guy suggested air bags and he always does what his tire guy says. Well, his truck is still listing all over the place. For me, super springs, a rear stabilizer, and Bilsteins all around seems to work. I have not noticed any front end trouble, but now that I am putting the camper back on, I am going to investigate that. And, I always drive in the slow lane as well.

My comment came from someone mentioned adjusting the front differential and I think that is going to far, personally. Although I am very conservative and only use factory parts with minimal after market upgrades. It all has to do with what you intend to do with the vehicle. For what I am doing, I have the proper level height and stiffness. Also, in regard to overloading, etc. my comments are offered from the point of not overloading the vehicle beyond its intended purpose.

Best of fun and safety to you with your new camper.

Darryl
 
Got to TTORA and you will have an overload of info, but very good info.
 
Cort: I was only somewhat kidding. But with that said, my point is only that since the camper is not on the truck yet, you may want to consider checking it out and seeing what you have before launching into an expensive upgrade process. Once you start into after market upgrades, it can get very expensive and you haven't solved the problem you first intended to.

Example: Folks here talk about air bags. Well, I followed guy who had a fully loaded Eagle one day on the same truck I have and he was listing all over the place. I stopped and spoke to him, he told me his tire guy suggested air bags and he always does what his tire guy says. Well, his truck is still listing all over the place. For me, super springs, a rear stabilizer, and Bilsteins all around seems to work. I have not noticed any front end trouble, but now that I am putting the camper back on, I am going to investigate that. And, I always drive in the slow lane as well.

My comment came from someone mentioned adjusting the front differential and I think that is going to far, personally. Although I am very conservative and only use factory parts with minimal after market upgrades. It all has to do with what you intend to do with the vehicle. For what I am doing, I have the proper level height and stiffness. Also, in regard to overloading, etc. my comments are offered from the point of not overloading the vehicle beyond its intended purpose.

Best of fun and safety to you with your new camper.

Darryl

Darryl,

I get where you are coming from and I am sorry if I came across Snarky. My Tacoma has 168,000 miles on it and a lot of the those have been with fairly heavy loads. Currently, I have an ARB bumper and winch on the front and I can tell you that even without the camper I want to replace the coils and put the Bilsteins on. I totally agree with you on the airbags they are going to solve all your problems. I think the comment about the differential came from a lift perspective. If you raise your front end more than an inch or so and you don't drop your front differential you wear out the CV joints because of the angle that you create. Your setup sounds like it works for you and that is whats important.

Happy camping,

Cort
 
Cort: When you do choose the front springs let us know. My truck has a lot of miles too. One more thought, don't get too tall so you won't be top heavy. I saw a extended cab tacoma at a local shop with a Six Pak on it and they were have trouble keeping it from swaying due to how tall the overall truck became. Also unless you are tall, you need to consider opening and closing the canvas flaps on the pop up sides and accessing the roof if you are carrying anything. I am not too tall and opening and closing the flaps is a real hassle. I now just leave them rolled up and open. You could carry a small ladder, but that seems to be a hassle too.


Regards,

Darryl
 
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