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Upgrading suspension in the future.

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by JBTRD, Jan 15, 2018.

  1. Jan 15, 2018 at 10:13 AM
    #1
    JBTRD

    JBTRD [OP] As usual, saying something stupid

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    Jeremy
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    I have been reading around and willing to pull the trigger once i have some more funds in to change my setup.

    My current setup is everything stock, except i added trd pro shocks and have ready lift spacers. Dont judge as i did not know much then. For now this set up works for my need for now, but i realize its not the best.

    My need is some really good shocks, the rear has a remote res, i would like stronger back coils, and prob a front diff drop to help the lower tie rods. And a new UCS.I also need a 3in lift due to i am currelently running 285 tires.

    I use the truck as a daily driver, and currently do light to somewhat moderate off-road, but once the truck is older that will increase.

    If anyone that can recommend a good suspension set up that yall use, and hopefully one that wont break the bank.
     
  2. Jan 15, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #2
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT New Member

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    King Offroad shocks are really nice. They aren't cheap.

    A front diff drop will not move the tie rods at all. Honestly, I don't recommend diff drops at all, the reason you are lifting the vehicle is to gain ground clearance. By dropping your front diff you are lowing that clearance you just gained. Keep your lift to 3" or less and you should be fine.

    OME makes good coils and I have used them on my vehicles and friends vehicles with good results. What is a "new UCS"? Do you mean new UCA (upper control arms)? When you lift this helps keep your alignment in-spec, or closer to spec. I did buy new UCA's on my Tacoma back when it was still IFS (independent front suspension) but never drove it lifted without them so I can't comment on how much of a difference it made for me.

    Something like this is a VERY nice lift that includes UCA's already. http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/KS4R10--King-Complete-Kit-for-2010-4Runner_p_1629.html

    If you are into more durable than OME might be a good option. http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/OME-Full-Suspension-System-For-2010-4Runners_p_891.html

    If you want cheaper then using the 5100s might work too. http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/3-Lift-W-Bilstein-5100-Front-Coilovers-FJ4RunnerGX_p_365.html

    Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
    lexi15sr5 and Gramps like this.
  3. Jan 16, 2018 at 7:49 AM
    #3
    JBTRD

    JBTRD [OP] As usual, saying something stupid

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    Yea i meant uca. My next question is can i do each piece individually? So can i buy the UCA and rear coil and add the shocks later to help spread out the cost. And with the rear coil, what load should i have, i want one stronger than the stock, but not to stiff, i ofter have 4 passengers and the truck sags when i have a full truck.
     
  4. Jan 16, 2018 at 8:28 AM
    #4
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    Your first post isn't clear. Are you saying you have rear res shocks or you want to get rear res shocks? If you want to get them, may I ask why? Res shocks / struts really aren't "needed" for the kind of thing most sane people do with their trucks and certainly not on a daily driver. I highly doubt you will see any benefits from them. They look kinda cool, maybe. That's about it.

    To answer your second post, you can do everything separately but a lot of the labor will be duplicated needlessly. That's why it makes the most sense to do it all at once.

    The argument can be made for new UCAs, but at just under 3" in the front you shouldn't need them. In ownership of 2 lifted 5th gen 4Rs at 2.5" front I have not needed them.

    You do not need a diff drop. It's pointless. I installed one on my 2014 TE and it served no purpose whatsoever.

    Most "stock weight" aftermarket rear coils actually are about 12% heavier than the OEM coils, so even installing a light duty or OEM rated aftermarket rear coil will net you some improvement. OME (not to be confused with OEM) makes several different coils with various weight ratings so if you want heavier than "12% above stock" you can look at those options.

    If you understand how the suspension works and how it all comes together, then you are best served by building your own setup. For example, you could buy the front coils you want, the rear coils you want, the struts you want, and the shocks you want; and probably save some money by doing it piecemeal instead of in a kit. That's really all you need for a suspension lift anyway - 4 coils, 4 shocks/struts.

    My setup is by no means the best there is, but I chose it based on my needs, experience, and a practical understanding of how the suspension works. As a nice benefit, it was cheap - $802.00. That would be the Wheelers / Eibach T1 front coils, T13 rear coils, Bilstein 5100s at 0 front, 5100s rear, and a OME trim packer on the driver's side front and rear. That price included having Wheelers assemble the front coilovers as well.

    I went this route because my wife and I are the only occupants of the truck, and mostly it's just me. The rear is almost always empty except for a 40 lb box with tools and recovery gear. Non 3rd row. I tow a trailer once in a while and as long as it's loaded properly there is no major rear sag. I have the rear loaded with 200 lb camping gear once a month and there is no major rear sag. In both those scenarios the rear squats a little but there is not negative rake. Most of my "normal" use for the truck is rutted dirt roads, bad pavement, decent paved 2 lane, and decent paved highway, probably broken down into 15%/25%/25%/35% in that order. I wanted to run 285s but didn't want to have an extreme lift; this puts me at 2.5" front and 1.5" rear and I am mostly level but have about 1/2" positive rake (rear higher). The ride is comfortable, brake dive is reduced, and the truck handles pretty much as it did factory.
     
    SnowroxKT likes this.
  5. Jan 16, 2018 at 8:46 AM
    #5
    JBTRD

    JBTRD [OP] As usual, saying something stupid

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    Thanks for the response. And sorry if it is unclear i typed it on my small phone keyboard.
    For the rear res i have one now, i run the same set up as a TRD Pro with spacers and if i replace i would like to keep a rear res. As for use i do find a good use in them, as i hunt 3,000 arecers in GA that double as a logging setup so the roads are awful, tore up with huge holes and small logs in the road that are not smooth to drive over. But based on what i inderstand you say, correct me if im wrong, i could keep my trd pro shocks and add a lift to them with out useing spacers? And for the rear coils i would prob need a bigger load due to i haul 4 people sometimes and haul my tools camping gear and heavy ice chests, reason i miss my bed of the taco.
     
  6. Jan 16, 2018 at 9:24 AM
    #6
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    You can probably use existing shocks / struts, but I'm not 100% on that. It depends on how much extension they were designed for. If they can allow for +2" then you should be okay with reusing them and just removing the spacers and installing new HD coils.
     
  7. Jan 16, 2018 at 9:53 AM
    #7
    JBTRD

    JBTRD [OP] As usual, saying something stupid

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    Im am going to look into that, for now i will order new UCAs and hold on to them until i do something with the shocks, and i will order new rear coils and install them as soon as i get them to help the rear support more weight.
     

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