rickashay
Explorer
Hey guys/gals,
I'm starting to consider rear suspension options for my 04' Tundra. For those that aren't aware, it's a SOA leaf spring with the inverted rear shackle design which hangs outward of the rear frame rails. This thread is primarily to gain knowledge on upgrade options based on others experience and knowledge in the matter. I am considering the arguments for my Tundra but in theory the tech is universal to all rear leaf design suspension systems so Tacoma, Pickup, old 4Runner knowledge is also welcomed. I know Expo may not be the typical source for Tech-Talk in this regard but I think some other members may also find this discussion interesting, with common uses in mind.
As some of you know, the Tundra aftermarket scene is lacking at best. Why there is no bolt-on options from OME, All-Pro, etc. I am not sure but I do hope that as the vehicle gains more popularity in the offroad community, more options will begin to appear. This leaves me to my current predicament - the rear suspension needs to be addressed but the "bolt-on" options scarcely exist, leaving me to come up with my own game plan.
My goals for the new system are as follows:
- Increased weight capacity: RTT, Bedcage, camping gear, fully armored vehicle. Guesstimate ~500lbs of extra weight in the bed with the RTT, cage, and gear.
- Increased travel: Mainly I want more droop, while gaining a slight increase in uptravel, definitely not losing any from current. (will get actual measurements today)
Current REAR Suspension:
- Wheelers 3-leaf Progressive AAL w/overload
- Bilstein 5100 shocks for 0-2" lift
Comments:Truck rides like a stock Tundra. I achieved 1-1.5" of lift with this setup although admittedly I do not have measurements to prove. Eyeballing this one. Height is OK and ride is good. Weight capacity is OK and travel is pretty terrible. Currently at bump, my 35's are kissing the upper fender edge, meaning any more uptravel and trimming will be required into the bedside, although I will confirm today if a fender roll may allow the tire to sneak inside the fender more.
Option 1 - Deaver makes a G57 bolt-on leaf pack, ~$650. It is one of the only full leaf packs available as a "production model Tundra leaf pack". It is a 10 or 8 pack unit (I'd have to confirm) and claims to offer 1.5" of rear lift over stock and increased travel. I am assuming the travel numbers come from an increased amount of arch in the pack, although I can't seem to find how many more inches of arch it has over stock, "+X". The small amount of information I have found says the pack works great but is not very good for any type of load carrying capacity, seeing as how it was designed with the baja scene in mind. I would probably keep the stock hangers in place with this setup but need to do some shock relocation to increase travel further.
Option 2 - Custom pack. Alcan and Deaver will both build custom packs, ~$800+. They can tune them to your liking and build any amount of extra arch into the pack. Weight capacity would be where I design it to be which is a huge plus, but I'm just not sure how much increasing arch numbers contributes to overall travel? Uptravel vs. droop? Custom shock mounting would probably make this setup more optimal.
Option 3 - The good old Chevy 63's. A common swap for older yotas. Chevy 1/2 ton 63" leafs, ~$150. These leafs are known to ride ultra smooth and provide a lot of additional flex. The leafs come in two versions 2WD - 3-leaf + overload or 4WD 4 leaf + overload. Junk yard leafs and from my research typically will lift 2-3" with the swap alone. I've heard mixed comments regarding weight capacity but they were a true 1/2 ton leaf so they should do ok. Bonus on the cost side but the downfall is you need to fabricate a new front spring hanger forward of OE mount and rear shackle has to be flipped. Ruffstuff makes custom shackle flips here: http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/UNFLIP.html and also Chevy 63" full DIY kits here: http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/R1799.html. I figure by the time it's all fabbed on and bolted up, I would be into this swap including leafs for around $800 including reworking of the shock mounts for more travel. I would have the ability to change shackle length to slightly alter the produced lift height to my desire.
Option 4 - Deaver SUA setup, ~$1500+. This would relocate the spring back under the axle housing. Rear hangers would need to be custom built. Bedcage for extended length shocks would also need to be custom built. Mucho travel gains, in both uptravel and droop. Pretty much the ultimate but I expect once you throw fabwork, custom shocks, and leafs into the mix this is a $3000+ option and full LT. Also losing bedspace to accommodate the cage. Pretty much, not even considering this, but wanted to state it as an option.
Let's hear some feedback, experience, and opinions below. I will update this post for my specific case as I get some measurements for my factory setup today as I plan to pull the rear shocks and full cycle and measure the suspension. Regarding travel I don't really have room (tire clearance wise) to improve uptravel so my gains are going to be in droop. I would like to have a balance of uptravel and droop but I would rather keep the cutting wheel away from the bedsides if possible. More droop is typically the ideal setup for crawling where more uptravel is desired for high speed stuff. I definitely do more slow trails than anything. BUT doing lots of overland style travel means it needs to be "happy" on those rough gravel roads. I think keeping current uptravel constant with more droop may be ideal.. but thats why this thread is here....
I'm starting to consider rear suspension options for my 04' Tundra. For those that aren't aware, it's a SOA leaf spring with the inverted rear shackle design which hangs outward of the rear frame rails. This thread is primarily to gain knowledge on upgrade options based on others experience and knowledge in the matter. I am considering the arguments for my Tundra but in theory the tech is universal to all rear leaf design suspension systems so Tacoma, Pickup, old 4Runner knowledge is also welcomed. I know Expo may not be the typical source for Tech-Talk in this regard but I think some other members may also find this discussion interesting, with common uses in mind.
As some of you know, the Tundra aftermarket scene is lacking at best. Why there is no bolt-on options from OME, All-Pro, etc. I am not sure but I do hope that as the vehicle gains more popularity in the offroad community, more options will begin to appear. This leaves me to my current predicament - the rear suspension needs to be addressed but the "bolt-on" options scarcely exist, leaving me to come up with my own game plan.
My goals for the new system are as follows:
- Increased weight capacity: RTT, Bedcage, camping gear, fully armored vehicle. Guesstimate ~500lbs of extra weight in the bed with the RTT, cage, and gear.
- Increased travel: Mainly I want more droop, while gaining a slight increase in uptravel, definitely not losing any from current. (will get actual measurements today)
Current REAR Suspension:
- Wheelers 3-leaf Progressive AAL w/overload
- Bilstein 5100 shocks for 0-2" lift
Comments:Truck rides like a stock Tundra. I achieved 1-1.5" of lift with this setup although admittedly I do not have measurements to prove. Eyeballing this one. Height is OK and ride is good. Weight capacity is OK and travel is pretty terrible. Currently at bump, my 35's are kissing the upper fender edge, meaning any more uptravel and trimming will be required into the bedside, although I will confirm today if a fender roll may allow the tire to sneak inside the fender more.
Option 1 - Deaver makes a G57 bolt-on leaf pack, ~$650. It is one of the only full leaf packs available as a "production model Tundra leaf pack". It is a 10 or 8 pack unit (I'd have to confirm) and claims to offer 1.5" of rear lift over stock and increased travel. I am assuming the travel numbers come from an increased amount of arch in the pack, although I can't seem to find how many more inches of arch it has over stock, "+X". The small amount of information I have found says the pack works great but is not very good for any type of load carrying capacity, seeing as how it was designed with the baja scene in mind. I would probably keep the stock hangers in place with this setup but need to do some shock relocation to increase travel further.
Option 2 - Custom pack. Alcan and Deaver will both build custom packs, ~$800+. They can tune them to your liking and build any amount of extra arch into the pack. Weight capacity would be where I design it to be which is a huge plus, but I'm just not sure how much increasing arch numbers contributes to overall travel? Uptravel vs. droop? Custom shock mounting would probably make this setup more optimal.
Option 3 - The good old Chevy 63's. A common swap for older yotas. Chevy 1/2 ton 63" leafs, ~$150. These leafs are known to ride ultra smooth and provide a lot of additional flex. The leafs come in two versions 2WD - 3-leaf + overload or 4WD 4 leaf + overload. Junk yard leafs and from my research typically will lift 2-3" with the swap alone. I've heard mixed comments regarding weight capacity but they were a true 1/2 ton leaf so they should do ok. Bonus on the cost side but the downfall is you need to fabricate a new front spring hanger forward of OE mount and rear shackle has to be flipped. Ruffstuff makes custom shackle flips here: http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/UNFLIP.html and also Chevy 63" full DIY kits here: http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/R1799.html. I figure by the time it's all fabbed on and bolted up, I would be into this swap including leafs for around $800 including reworking of the shock mounts for more travel. I would have the ability to change shackle length to slightly alter the produced lift height to my desire.
Option 4 - Deaver SUA setup, ~$1500+. This would relocate the spring back under the axle housing. Rear hangers would need to be custom built. Bedcage for extended length shocks would also need to be custom built. Mucho travel gains, in both uptravel and droop. Pretty much the ultimate but I expect once you throw fabwork, custom shocks, and leafs into the mix this is a $3000+ option and full LT. Also losing bedspace to accommodate the cage. Pretty much, not even considering this, but wanted to state it as an option.
Let's hear some feedback, experience, and opinions below. I will update this post for my specific case as I get some measurements for my factory setup today as I plan to pull the rear shocks and full cycle and measure the suspension. Regarding travel I don't really have room (tire clearance wise) to improve uptravel so my gains are going to be in droop. I would like to have a balance of uptravel and droop but I would rather keep the cutting wheel away from the bedsides if possible. More droop is typically the ideal setup for crawling where more uptravel is desired for high speed stuff. I definitely do more slow trails than anything. BUT doing lots of overland style travel means it needs to be "happy" on those rough gravel roads. I think keeping current uptravel constant with more droop may be ideal.. but thats why this thread is here....
