V6 2004 tacoma suspension questions

[jgallo1]

Hello All,
I just purchased a 2004 tacoma and I am going to immediately start building it. I have some questions before i start ordering all the pieces. This truck will be a daily driver and used offroad, surf trips through baja, trails all around the west. Nothing to heavy, no rock crawling or anything like that.
I am going to go all OME. What I can t figure out is, if I have a camper shell, and full size spare do I need to AAL. I was going to go with the 880 coils, I am not adding a bumper and want to stick with 265/75/16s. I do not want the BRO-Lean.. I actually like the natural rake of the tacoma 4x4. I am trying to keep that rake, but add better suspension and maybe another 1'-1.5'

Thanks,
Justin

 

[Martinjmpr]

So let me ask you something right off.
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Why do you need to modify the suspension? I had an '04 Tacoma and I found the stock suspension to be perfectly adequate for 4 wheeling up to 4/10 rated trails (Red Cone in Colorado.)
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I took that truck all over Moab, through the deserts of Northern Nevada and all over Colorado and never felt the need for any suspension changes. And mine wasn't even the TRD model (which yours appears to be, based on the alloy wheels.)
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Before modifying, I would ask: What is it that your vehicle CAN'T do now that you want it to do? If you can't answer that question then maybe leave it stock until something needs to be replaced?
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I mean, if you want to mod the suspension, knock yourself out but it might be prudent to find out if you even need to. In my opinion, the less you modify a vehicle the fewer problems you have down the road.

 

[jgallo1]

Hi Martin,
I am upgrading the suspension, for a few reasons, for starters all around better ride quality. On these trips I often have a few hundred lbs of gear in the back, so a stronger leaf is very helpful to not bottom out. On that note an 1"-2" up front has been been very helpful in the past for some of the terrain. This is not my fist offroad vehicle, I have had a landcruiser, an older toyota truck, and a tundra.
Thanks for the thought provoking questions.

 

[washington taco]

If you plan on a bed canopy 175 lbs, camping/cooking gear 100 lbs, surf gear 50 lbs then yes a AAL would be a good idea, new rear shocks as well. I would venture to say you have at least 150,000 miles on the truck and the stock items are close to being worn out anyway.

 

[deadbeat son]

I am going to go all OME. What I can t figure out is, if I have a camper shell, and full size spare do I need to AAL.

Just to clarify, you are asking if you need to use the OME AAL in conjunction with the OME spring pack, not an AAL in conjunction with your stock leaf pack, correct?

 

[jgallo1]

Deadbeat son,
yes, I was going to order the OME set up from wheelers. It seems alot of guys who run a topper choose to AAL on top of the Dakar springs that come with the set up from wheelers.

 

[deadbeat son]

Deadbeat son,
yes, I was going to order the OME set up from wheelers. It seems alot of guys who run a topper choose to AAL on top of the Dakar springs that come with the set up from wheelers.

Thanks, I just wanted to clarify since the previous responses didn't seem to take that into consideration. I can't make a recommendation for you, as I have a second gen and have heavy sliders and a cap on stock TSB suspension, but it's due for a replacement soon. In the past, someone with a lot of experience such as Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters would be quick to pipe up with recommendations based on extensive experience, but I haven't seen him (or other members of the brain trust) post in this forum for quite a while. Things around here have definitely change.

It may be worth calling Wheelers for advice. Or even call Kurt and get your suspension from him. He's super helpful and a wealth of knowledge. No affiliation, etc.

 

[Vegastoy]

Sounds like you carry a lot of gear/weight with you so I would probably go with the aal. It will probably be a little stiff and *** high when unloaded but shouldn't sag when loaded up. I know you said you wanted all ome but you might want to also check out allpros expo leaves. Just a suggestion...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks, I just wanted to clarify since the previous responses didn't seem to take that into consideration. I can't make a recommendation for you, as I have a second gen and have heavy sliders and a cap on stock TSB suspension, but it's due for a replacement soon. In the past, someone with a lot of experience such as Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters would be quick to pipe up with recommendations based on extensive experience, but I haven't seen him (or other members of the brain trust) post in this forum for quite a while. Things around here have definitely change.

It may be worth calling Wheelers for advice. Or even call Kurt and get your suspension from him. He's super helpful and a wealth of knowledge. No affiliation, etc.

I'm certainly still here

Just been super busy so my forum time has to come late at night and I don't get to be as active as I once was.



To the OP, give us a ring at the shop and we would love to help you with your suspension questions. We've sold/installed hundreds of kits for the 1st Gen Tacoma and I've had a couple of them myself that saw similar duty as your wants/needs. If you'd like to give us a shot for your parts needs, give us a ring!