Rethinking suspension

[STAGE 2]

After spending way too much time here reading about various suspension combos I'm rethinking about what I'm looking for. My two biggest concerns are 1) driveline issues such as excessive wear and vibrations (things like this drive me crazy) and 2) functionality (specifically load capacity).

This truck is going to be a semi-daily driver that will see off-road time during the summer. I really would rather stay away from lifting anything to stay away from driveline issues. So essentially what I'd like to do is make improvements to the stock supension without changing the specs. With that in mind I'd like to hear your opinions on what I'm considering.

Base: 07 taco extracab 4x4 trd, 235/85/R16

Front: Donohoe coilovers

I was shying away from coilovers but after reading various reviews as well as the writeup on expeditions west, I'm starting to think they are a better route. Performance wise I have no doubt they are better than stock, however I have 2 concerns. First, how long can I expect these to last? What I don't want to get into is high end performance stuff that doesn't last very long. Second, since I don't want any lift, will setting the coilovers on 0 negate the benefits of having them?

Rear: ?

Here's where I'm stumped. By all accounts, even the TSB fix is crap. I've heard good things about OME, but they raise the truck and some have had vibrations, which I'm not willing to risk.

My main concern is load capacity as at some point I will be putting in a larger main tank which will be 10-20 gallons larger. That equates to an extra 60-120 lbs if fully fueled plus any load that I decide to carry in the bed.

So with that in mind, are there any options that will compensate for the load, but still offer good articulation off road? I dont mind a "truck" ride if I can have the other two qualities. Is this something that is even feasible without lifting the truck or will I have to pick one to compromise on the other?

 

[heeltoe989]

As for your coil-overs DR are fully re-buildable. Also I've had mine for a couple good Canadian winters and some really good wheeling and I think they get better with time. There rock solid and DR now "ICON" warranty is second to none. If you break them, you should be worrying about other things on your truck

As for the Rear, I have OME on a DC long bed, I love them, no vibrations and I used the center hanger bearing bushing kit from OME that is supposed to correct drive line angles and get rid of vibration. I load my truck pretty heavy with camping and off-road gear and don't have any problems at all.

I'm currently looking into ICON chubby bump stops and new ICON upper control arms for my truck. Just to help out a bit more when the going gets tougher.

 

[flyingwil]

Rear: ?

Here's where I'm stumped. By all accounts, even the TSB fix is crap. I've heard good things about OME, but they raise the truck and some have had vibrations, which I'm not willing to risk.

My main concern is load capacity as at some point I will be putting in a larger main tank which will be 10-20 gallons larger. That equates to an extra 60-120 lbs if fully fueled plus any load that I decide to carry in the bed.

So with that in mind, are there any options that will compensate for the load, but still offer good articulation off road? I dont mind a "truck" ride if I can have the other two qualities. Is this something that is even feasible without lifting the truck or will I have to pick one to compromise on the other?

Deaver Springs... Can't go wrong.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Donohoe is in jail distributing child porn.

The company was reorganized and bought out. Personally I would stay away from the new company for a little while till this goes to court and make sure the company doesn't get seized.

 

[heeltoe989]

If you go with deavers, don't even bother with the 10 pack - Race truck only. Even the 12 pack is a bit soft and will flatten out with weight all the time as some people have said. I've had both. 3rd attempt OME Dakar's. Haven't gone back.

You can always talk to Deaver about a custom pack for your application and weight. You might be going into the 13 to 14 pack to suit what your looking for.

 

[heeltoe989]

Donohoe is in jail distributing child porn.

The company was reorganized and bought out. Personally I would stay away from the new company for a little while till this goes to court and make sure the company doesn't get seized.

Company was bought by former employees and now called ICON, I've dealt with the new guys at ICON and their great and getting there new name back on the self. They also still warranty anything that Donahoe had produced which is nice.

Wouldn't have any problems buying from them. If your at all worried there always OME front shocks and springs

 

[STAGE 2]

Deaver Springs... Can't go wrong.

Does deaver make a stock height spring that will address load issuse as well as articulate well? From what I've read, deavers a great for off road, but don't hold weight quite well.

 

[daverami]

From reading posts on different forums, it seems to me that the new gen of Tacomas are very finicky when it comes to rear suspension modifications. Lots of people have zero driveline issues, whether installing Dakars, Deavers, Alcans. On the other hand, same trucks, but lots of driveline issues doing the same. This is with moderate lifts of course. I took off my Alcan 8 leafs because I just couldn't stand dealing with the vibration. It turned out to be less than an 1 1/2 lift anyway. Shims, custom made spacers, didn't work. It really wasn't horrible or anything, but like some, I get kind of anal about stuff like that. Some people cured problems with a one piece driveshaft, others still had problems. I also couldn't help to start worrying about premature wear issues, etc. Anyway, went with the TSB and kept the 5100's from the Alcan lift for shocks. Seems ok, haven't really loaded it down or been offroad much with it yet. I still love the DR coilovers in the front. Rides great, but still, have a slight vibration coming from the right front. All in all, it all points to compromises when we mod our trucks away from the stock setup.

 

[heeltoe989]

Does deaver make a stock height spring that will address load issuse as well as articulate well? From what I've read, deavers a great for off road, but don't hold weight quite well.

I know that Deaver can build you anything you like. Takes a phone call and sorting out what the needs you have for your truck.

 

[STAGE 2]

Anyway, went with the TSB and kept the 5100's from the Alcan lift for shocks.

I thought the 5100 were for 1" lift and greater. They still fit on stock trucks?

 

[daverami]

I thought the 5100 were for 1" lift and greater. They still fit on stock trucks?

I didn't know either, but I called up Wheeler's, where I got them, and they said yes.

 

[Streakerfreak]

From reading posts on different forums, it seems to me that the new gen of Tacomas are very finicky when it comes to rear suspension modifications. Lots of people have zero driveline issues, whether installing Dakars, Deavers, Alcans. On the other hand, same trucks, but lots of driveline issues doing the same. This is with moderate lifts of course. I took off my Alcan 8 leafs because I just couldn't stand dealing with the vibration. It turned out to be less than an 1 1/2 lift anyway. Shims, custom made spacers, didn't work. It really wasn't horrible or anything, but like some, I get kind of anal about stuff like that. Some people cured problems with a one piece driveshaft, others still had problems. I also couldn't help to start worrying about premature wear issues, etc. Anyway, went with the TSB and kept the 5100's from the Alcan lift for shocks. Seems ok, haven't really loaded it down or been offroad much with it yet. I still love the DR coilovers in the front. Rides great, but still, have a slight vibration coming from the right front. All in all, it all points to compromises when we mod our trucks away from the stock setup.

I find this situation wierd. I have an custom alcan 8 leaf pack and have 3in of lift and Zero driveline problems and Zero vibrations issues. Seems to be a truck by truck thing.

 

[daverami]

I find this situation wierd. I have an custom alcan 8 leaf pack and have 3in of lift and Zero driveline problems and Zero vibrations issues. Sems to be a truck by truck thing.

I know, it is very bizarre.

 

[keepontruckin]

You appear to be looking for a more stout, heavy duty suspension, but are considering components that are optimized for off-road racing applications. Two different worlds.

 

[4Rescue]

Rear: ?

Here's where I'm stumped. By all accounts, even the TSB fix is crap. I've heard good things about OME, but they raise the truck and some have had vibrations, which I'm not willing to risk.

No vibration's caused by my OME lift at all... In fact nothing but smiles caused by my OME lift.