2008 tundra suspension advice request for ARB bumper.

[Tundra08]

Hello, 2008 tundra crew max, 5.7L. I will be towing an off road teardrop and am finally ready to get the suspension going. Some pertinent info. I will be utilizing an ARB deluxe front bumper, thats Non negotiable. I’m not gonna have a deer ruin another truck/trip because they can’t make up their dadgum mind which way they wanna run. The trailer will be approx. 3000-3200 lbs. my current set up is stock and I’d prefer not to do a lift Or at the very least, a minor one. The ARB bumper is heavy, yes, so I know I will need the support up front to accommodate for that.

Heres where my wish list of sorts starts. I’d like to have similar performance to the Tacoma TRD pro as far as responsiveness on bumpy roads. I’m also realistic enough to know this is an older, larger truck and my budget isn’t unlimited, so “close enough” is fine. I’ve replaced shocks and struts a few times, changed LCA’s, swaybar end links, etc. so I’m confident I can do this myself, but, where I get lost is what brands or what model numbers of parts I need to accomplish the goal I want.

I may add Road active suspension in the rear just to make towing downright effortless and eliminate any possibility of sag, but that may not be needed.

So thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

 

[rruff]

What shocks and struts have you tried? The the Tacoma TRD Pro shocks are quite fancy, and I don't think you'll replicate that for less than ~$4k. On the other hand Bilstein 5100s are decent and nearly free. I saw somewhere that OME springs will go on those also.

I have Iromman FCP (self installed) and no complaints, but you can't get those anymore. They are set for 2" lift and I took off the swaybar. Used the LCA cams to push the wheels as far forward as I could, and the stock UCAs are fine.

That RAS sure looks kludgy but people seem to like them. I got a 4 leaf pack (replaces the overload) from Boise Spring, and it was a definite improvement over airbags, but it doesn't seem to provide the 1500 lb capacity I asked for. That was ~$700 for shipping and all.

EDIT: Actually the OME springs might be a bad idea with 5100, as some report way too much lift. You could use Eibach 2" coils and should get ~2" lift with the 5100s at the lowest clip and your bumper.

Bilstein 5100s with Eibach Pro-Lift-Kit Front Springs Kit w/2.5" lift

I was curious to see if anyone was running these together. I got a recommendation to do so, but wanted to see who all have done it. I have a 2014 TT...

www.tundras.com

 

[Tundra08]

What shocks and struts have you tried? The the Tacoma TRD Pro shocks are quite fancy, and I don't think you'll replicate that for less than ~$4k. On the other hand Bilstein 5100s are decent and nearly free. I saw somewhere that OME springs will go on those also.

I have Iromman FCP (self installed) and no complaints, but you can't get those anymore. They are set for 2" lift and I took off the swaybar. Used the LCA cams to push the wheels as far forward as I could, and the stock UCAs are fine.

That RAS sure looks kludgy but people seem to like them. I got a 4 leaf pack (replaces the overload) from Boise Spring, and it was a definite improvement over airbags, but it doesn't seem to provide the 1500 lb capacity I asked for. That was ~$700 for shipping and all.

Thanks for the reply. I’ve used bilsteins and OME and have been happy with both on other vehicles, but this tundra is all stock. I’m sure almost anything will be an improvement over the older stock suspension. My main concern is the weight of the bumper up front. I don’t want to deal with front sag or bottoming out And this is new territory for me from a suspension standpoint.

I recognize the TRD suspension is higher end, I hesitated to even say that in my initial post but it made sense in my head to get across the goal I’m looking at while clarifying I know I’m not going to replicate it.

I agree with you about the look of the RAS but yeah, people seem to like them. That will be an add on after the suspension change IF I see the need. I’m more inclined to try sumo springs first TBH as they really helped my sequoia smooth out the ride.

 

[rruff]

I updated my post ^. Eibach springs (2" lift coils) should work well with the 5100s and all four shocks are <$500. Eibach shocks have a softer ride so if that is what you want, you could try those. I like firm digressive damping and that's what the Bilsteins provide.

If you want fancy shocks, check out OME BP51 and Bilstein 8112 in addition to Fox and King.

Maybe just adding a leaf to the rear would do what you want. Besides the trailer, will you be loaded?

 

[Tundra08]

I updated my post ^. Eibach springs (2" lift coils) should work well with the 5100s and all four shocks are <$500. Eibach shocks have a softer ride so if that is what you want, you could try those. I like firm digressive damping and that's what the Bilsteins provide.

If you want fancy shocks, check out OME BP51 and Bilstein 8112 in addition to Fox and King.

Maybe just adding a leaf to the rear would do what you want. Besides the trailer, will you be loaded?

Thanks for the rec. if you don’t mind, educate me a bit on…well…..what do I want? When I hear softer ride, I think pillowy bounce down the road. I don’t want that, but I don’t want a stiff, jarring ride either. I dont think I know the right terminology to describe what I want when it comes to shocks so I may be getting in my own way when asking for help.

I used the TRD pro as an example to describe a ride where the suspension seems to absorb most all of the impact so the truck itself, and me the passenger, feel very little. It responds quickly as well. Is the term “soft” an appropriate term for that scenario?

An “add a leaf” might be a good option. I will have a family of 4, 3 males and a female and a dog, as well as a diamondback bed cover and a truck bed full of “stuff”. Most everything else will be in the trailer. I have a long term wish list that may or may not happen like an additional truck battery, arb compressor, Sherpa roof rack with a few odds and ends but nothing major. What I don’t want to do is want to add stuff and realize the front of the truck is now sagging and I have to remove all that or the shocks. I’m looking for that sweet spot with a little bit of room to grow but not something that rides bad forcing me to do all that. I may not need or want it. Clear as mud, I know. lol. Thanks again for your assistance.

 

[rruff]

My shocks have high digressive damping, which out means they are firm on low speed motions (like handling maneuvers) but still respond well to high speed motions like bumps. The truck always feels planted and controlled, on road and offroad. No wallowing or bouncing. I can feel small bumps more, but that's the only downside I noticed. This is compared to the stock shocks.

The Bilsteins have similar damping, while the Eibach shocks have lighter progressive damping, based on the testimony of others. So the Eibach would be better for small bumps and a smooth ride on the street.

I've never had fancy shocks, so can't say what you'd actually get for the big price increase. I know the ability to go longer and harder without overheating is one aspect, but I don't think you'll be pushing the limits on a family outing. A downside is that being high performance shocks they tend to have light seals and require rebuilding more often.

Most "add a leafs" are designed to lift the truck by curving them more than stock. That's isn't a good thing to do as it overstresses them. General Spring sells a couple different Tundra leafs, with the long one actually being longer than the leaf with the clip. I've been thinking about getting that one to add to my pack.

 

[Tundra08]

My shocks have high digressive damping, which out means they are firm on low speed motions (like handling maneuvers) but still respond well to high speed motions like bumps. The truck always feels planted and controlled, on road and offroad. No wallowing or bouncing. I can feel small bumps more, but that's the only downside I noticed. This is compared to the stock shocks.

The Bilsteins have similar damping, while the Eibach shocks have lighter progressive damping, based on the testimony of others. So the Eibach would be better for small bumps and a smooth ride on the street.

I've never had fancy shocks, so can't say what you'd actually get for the big price increase. I know the ability to go longer and harder without overheating is one aspect, but I don't think you'll be pushing the limits on a family outing. A downside is that being high performance shocks they tend to have light seals and require rebuilding more often.

Most "add a leafs" are designed to lift the truck by curving them more than stock. That's isn't a good thing to do as it overstresses them. General Spring sells a couple different Tundra leafs, with the long one actually being longer than the leaf with the clip. I've been thinking about getting that one to add to my pack.

That’s a great explanation, thanks for laying that all out. looks like I’ll be looking for some eibachs. Any sites you recommend? Thanks!

 

[rruff]

For you I'd probably suggest the basic shocks with 2" springs, since you aren't really wanting a lift. Or you can opt for the ones with threaded bodies that you can adjust. Just search for deals. I don't know if there are sales coming up... black friday is a long way away.

 

[Tundra08]

For you I'd probably suggest the basic shocks with 2" springs, since you aren't really wanting a lift. Or you can opt for the ones with threaded bodies that you can adjust. Just search for deals. I don't know if there are sales coming up... black friday is a long way away.

I stumbled onto this kit and figured it seemed to tick all the boxes if I’m reading it right. https://www.extremeterrain.com/eibach-tundra-pro-truck-coil-over-kit-stage-2r-e86-82-067-02-22.html

 

[rruff]

Yep... if you want soft damping and adjustability... but I wouldn't pay $230 for reservoirs on the rear, since you don't have them on the front.