Suspension Choices.

[MTBMark]

First Post!

Have been lurking for a while, taking in all the great infomation on this forum. I'm starting a build out on a 2011 Tacoma Dbl Cab TRD Offroad. After seeing a buddies AT Fippac setup, I was inspired to sell off my FJ and order up a AT Flippac of my own. The AT Flippac has been ordered and before I go pick it up, I wanted to get my suspension sorted and was hoping to get a little input on what I have come up with from people that are more expedition oriented. I have read numerous threads from people with Similar vehicles and setups as to what I intend to build.

Here is what I am thinking:

Front: Icon 2.5" Coilovers
Rear: Icon Resv Shocks
Rear Spring: EMU Dakars

Reasoning - I'm looking at the Icons mainly because I had Donhoes on my FJ and liked the ride. I not quite sure if the Icon shocks in the rear are going to be a good match up with the Dakars. I know air bags are also an option instead of the dakars, but in my mind, I like the simplicity of a leaf pack.

My intended use is to get out there and explore more and for longer. The wife and I are avid mountain bikers and most of our trips revolve around going to places to mountain bike. But usually while we are in a area, we also like to go explore on backroads and see the sights less seen. I'm relatively new to this, and while mechanically inclined, haven't really don't a ton of mechanical work on vehicles. I will be doing as much as I can myself though.

Any other components I might need (carrier bearing drop kit)?

Wasn't planning on a build thread per say as there are already a couple really good AT Flippac threads and I don't plan to get too complex. Could be convinced otherwise though.

 

[tomesd]

Some thoughts..

If you want to do it correctly, most will purchase aftermarket upper control arms (Total Chaos, Camburg, etc) for the front to allow better alignment. Also, most will purchase a one piece drive shaft (ex: Tom Woods) to eliminate vibrations. Coilovers with resi shocks are better suited for high speed washboard type of driving- knowing that, OME 886 front springs (if you have a heavy front bumper and/or winch, 885's without) with matching shocks and the Dakar rear pack with matching shocks in the rear are pretty popular around here (not that your ICONS are any better or worse). The cost, simplicity, and reliability is what leads many to a full OME set up.

my 2 cents!

 

[DblD]

Might think about a drop kit for the front differential. This should prolong the life of your CV joints. You probably already know about Toytec. If not, check them out here: www.toyteclifts.com

dd

 

[fourfa]

When I measured out the flex on my 05 DC/LB with Dakar HDs, the Icon rears were at least an inch too short and would limit droop (10" shaft travel, 24" extended). I went with the AllPro Fox single-adjust rears (9.5" travel, 25.75" extended), which were a better match for my truck. But that's with the extra leaf in the Dakar leaf pack, and probably a different load in the bed. My point is, if you want to be sure you're getting a good match and not binding on the shocks, do your own flex tests first.

Conventional wisdom seems to be that the diff drop doesn't do anything on the 05+ Tacoma.

 

[Oni]

Since you're pretty local...you may try Deaver for your rear. Take it loaded with the shell and your anticipated load and they will weigh everything and make a spring pack for you. Buddy did that for his SMB and it rode GREAT!

http://www.deaverspring.com/

 

[TEJASYOTA]

WELCOME TO ExPO!!!!

...Any other components I might need (carrier bearing drop kit)?

Not a good idea.
THe majority of the guys that had it, have removed it.

Airbag suspension is a good idea.
The items you mention are all high quality items.

For your rear leafs... you may want to really think about getting a custom made to order unit from either ALCAN or Deaver.
Why?...The systems that you get from Wheelers or Demello, are standard 7 or 8 pack systems and can handle the normal truck with a custom bumper.
But not really handle the truck w/ a custom bumper with tire gate and or a camper+custom bumper.

I had the ALCAN-8 and it handled well with my truck.
But after I installed my CBI rear bumper with tire gate.
Over time the leafs flattened and one even had a negative arch.

I have since replaced it with custom built DEAVER-10 pack and had a couple outtings and no issues.
All this is noted in my TTORA Garage Build thread (click onto my SIG hyperlink).

As for other questions regarding suspension... check out the hyperlink below.
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94262

One more item to consider, not sure if the 2005+ models need it... is a frame reinforcement plates.

 

[farrdg]

Here is some food for thought. I have a 2008 Tacoma Double Cab TRD. I'm currently running 2.5" Sway-Away Race Runner coil overs in the front and OME Dakar's in the back with Bilstein 5100's. If I had to do it all over again I would run the OME springs and shocks in the front and OME Dakar's and shocks in the back. Don't get me wrong the coil overs are great, but the Heim joint's transmit a lot of noise and shock through the suspension that rubber or polyurethane bushings do not. The difference in cost is a good factor, not to mention keeping it simple for travel. There are trade-offs no matter which way you go. Reservoir shocks are not needed unless you are racing or driving a washboard for hours and hours day in and day out. You just wont get the shocks hot enough to justify the expense, but they are nice if coolness is a factor. Just my thoughts from running off road cars in the desert.

I really like the set up that I have, but it has taken a lot time to get it dialed in where I want it. I also installed a U-bolt flip kit in the rear when I added the OME Dakar's. I replaced the Toyota bump stops with a set of Timbren bump stops that I mounted to the U-bolt top plate. I like the extra protection when pulling my off-road pop up tent trailer, or when wheeling with a heavy load of gear in the bed. They are well worth it and I do not loose any flex as you might with air bags.

The only additions that I will eventually make to the front end are a set of Camberg upper control arms (UCA's), the new All Pro Tacoma Heavy Duty Steering Kit and All-Pro's newly improved heavy-duty sway bar links .

My alignment is good now and tracks perfectly, the UCA's provide better alignment adjustments, better travel, and more clearance between the tires and UCA's. The Heavy Duty Steering Kit and heavy-duty sway bar links eliminate the rest of the OEM wink links for reliable off-road travel.

Hope these thought help. Good luck with your setup, let us know what you do. Have lots of fun with the new truck.:smiley_drive:

 

[WASURF63]

Welcome MTBMark!

OME all around.

Simple, tough, reliable, cost effective.

 

[MTBMark]

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far.

A few of you mentioned going with a custom leaf pack in the rear, and that was actually my first choice. But my build up is going to be over time meaning I won't know what my end weight is going to be for some time. My thoughts were to get the Dakars because with the add a leaf option it would give me a few different spring rates to use as my truck weight increases (unless I'm not understanding them correctly). Then when the truck is close to finished, if the dakars are not up to the task, go with a custom leaf pack. Does this sounds like a good plan, or is it possible to start with a custom leaf pack that will handle this slow build up process?

For the shocks in the rear, other that sticking with Icon as that is what I was thinking for the front, I didn't give them a lot of thought. Looks like a missed a couple things here and I'm glad these were pointed out. I will take a look at some other options.

Front Coilovers. Here I was thinking I wanted to go with something I already know. I also wanted the ability to adjust my ride height to match however the rear happens to be sitting. A couple of people mentioned OME for the front. How would I get my ride height to match the rear? I will look on my own, but how do they compare ride wise to something like the Icons?

Thanks for the clarification on the carrier bearing drop kit. Seemed like it wasn't really a good idea anymore.

 

[Overland Hadley]

OME at all four corners.

You could go with more expensive options, but I would guess that OME and Dakars will be enough, and they are very rugged. Also, with the OME up front, you will not need to get new control arms.

Be sure to at least post some photos when you get the AT on the back.

 

[timber]

For the rear go with the Dakars and install the extra leaf from the start. That will save you from doing it twice and I think you will find you will be better off. That spring pack even with the extra leaf rides nice and will be even better when you bolt the flipac on and start loading it up a little. You might ride a little high in back until you get the top on but it wont be too harsh.
I Guess you have seen this but if you haven't here is a link to get you excited

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34407