2012 Tundra rear shock questions

[Surf44]

Got a 2012 Rockwarrior that the previous owner installed Total Chaos UC's, Icon 2.5 fronts, and OME rear shocks, and custom leaf springs from a local reputable suspension shop. He had a 4wheel slide in camper so the leafs and tune of the suspension is pretty stiff with it out now. I am getting a Lone Peak Camper in about a month installed so that's about 400lbs plus what ever I build out in the bed. I don't think I can buy much better in the front with TC and Icon, but the rears I was thinking some Bilstein 5160s or something other than standard Old man emus would greatly increase the ride quality.

Is this true? How much better should a set of 5160s be compared to OME's? Also curious if some poly shackle bushings would help a lot too?

 

[rruff]

I doubt OMEs are the problem. I'd wait until you get it loaded and see how it rides then.

Stock shocks will usually be under damped for heavier springs and load. You may want to buy some Fox rears from Accutune, as they will custom tune the damping, and the 2.0s aren't that expensive.

 

[dstefan]

For comparison purposes FWIW: My Ovrlnd on ’21 Tundra DC weighs 362#. Interior build adds about another 150. Wet weight packed for a trip is about another 200-250 +/- in the bed. With my backseat platform area packed, my wife and me and full tank of gas we’re at or 150— 250# above GVWR (as weighed).

I have a Deaver HD pack in the back which I asked to be spec’d for 1,000# of bed weight. Truck sits with slight rake to front empty (but with camper and build) and is a little twitchy/live feeling in the rear, but not bad. Packed/wet weight it sits level and feels planted and handles great. I typically keep my rear ICONS compression adjusters turned up hard if empty to mange the oversprung effect and also when on the road for handling when packed. Soft compression for washboards or really rough pavement and hard again for off camber "rock and rolly" off-road.

I’m very happy with the set up and behavior in all situations. It drives better in all situations than my ’09 Tacoma with underspec’d Deavers and non-adjutable ICONs packed for tent camping.

@rruf”s advice is right on I think, but I’d add you might want to consider paying the extra for compression adjustable shocks in the rear. If your front ICONS have it, you know what I mean. If you still have the rough ride after the camper and new shocks, you may want to think about Deaver or Alcan progressive springs or a custom set locally.

 

[Surf44]

I ask the previous owner and he said the leafs he got are rated for 1200#, but okay seems like I need to just wait until I get the Lone peak camper on and see how it feels. I was already thinking I would need to do something different with the springs but was also thinking some better external reservoir shocks in the rear would help smooth it out.

It's not raked really at all which is weird when I took the 4wheel slide in camper out I was expecting more, so idk about that. I don't think my icons have adjustments or If it's one that you have to turn the shock before install either direction for firmer or softer?

 

[rruff]

IMO, a 2" lift in the front is the maximum sensible amount (plenty for 37s), and even stock UCAs are fine with that. Your Icons may not have damping adjustments, but you can adjust the spring preload to set ride height. For starters I'd set the height to 2". Based on this chart, that would be 23.9" center hub to fender. What is your tire size, are they the stock RW wheels, and do they have spacers?

Reservoirs are mainly for reducing heat on fast rough sections. If your front shocks don't have a reservoir, I wouldn't worry about having them on the rear.

https://tnstatic.net/attachments/upload_2017-12-20_14-56-16-jpg.105357/

 

[Surf44]

Tire size is 34x10.5x17. Sadly no the previous owner sold the rock warrior wheels. I have nomad +25 offset wheels