Suspension Questions

[Scottn]

Hello.

I am about to get some custom bumpers that I ordered for my 2001 Tacoma from Hefty Fabrications here in Colorado Springs, which I will post later.

I have 33" BFG All Terrain K/O's with a 3" suspension lift, which rides terrible with Rancho 9000 shocks.

My questions are;

What suspension upgrade should I do for this truck to handle the extra weight of the bumpers and my continued upgrades to a Expedition truck with a A/T FlipPac and all the accessories that go with this build?

I do not mind re-doing the lift kit completely.

I am sure I will need all new springs and shocks etc.

I plan to retire in a few years and live in my truck and tour the country and world.

Thank you for your input. I am a novice at this.

 

[FJR Colorado]

Get rid of the Ranchos; they are horrible.

Talk to Toytec... http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php

Ask for Doug. Great Colorado company.

 

[Scottn]

Get rid of the Ranchos; they are horrible.

Talk to Toytec... http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.php

Ask for Doug. Great Colorado company.

Thank you!!

Think I should just replace the leaf springs completely?

 

[FJR Colorado]

For my T-100 I bought a Toytec kit with an add-a-leaf for the rear and ball joint spacers up front. Plus extended length ProComp shocks all around. Wasn't terribly expensive. Added about 2" all around.

Get a good installation and follow-up with an alignment.

My set-up has worked out great. Toytec has lots of other options.

I'm not too familiar with Tacomas. Do you have torsion bars in front and leafs in the rear?

Ironically, I ran Ranchos on the T-100 for a while and they were just awful and harsh.

 

[WASURF63]

Welcome to Expo, Scottn.

I'd go with a full OME setup. Some Tacoma owners have mixed it up a bit, but probably wished they just went with an OME front/rear from the beginning. With all the extra weight you're planning on,
882's up front and Dakars(w/ AAL if avail) in the rear with Nitrochargers at all four corners would likely be a good call for your '01 Tacoma. This set up really shines when loaded. My .02
Lots of OME fans here on ExPo.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...882's up front and Dakars(w/ AAL if avail) in the rear with Nitrochargers at all four corners would likely be a good call for your '01 Tacoma. This set up really shines when loaded. My .02
Lots of OME fans here on ExPo.

x2, specs of course depending on your build plans but thats a very similar setup as I'm running on my 'heavy' Tacoma and its proven rather ideal particularly in striking a balance of performance and longevity.


Scott n, Any idea on bumper weights? Plans for winch? What about the back? Tire carriers, racks, drawers, tents, etc?

What 3" suspension is on there now? Spacers in the front and blocks or add-a-leaf in the back or complete coil/sturts and leafs?

 

[Scottn]

x2, specs of course depending on your build plans but thats a very similar setup as I'm running on my 'heavy' Tacoma and its proven rather ideal particularly in striking a balance of performance and longevity.


Scott n, Any idea on bumper weights? Plans for winch? What about the back? Tire carriers, racks, drawers, tents, etc?

What 3" suspension is on there now? Spacers in the front and blocks or add-a-leaf in the back or complete coil/sturts and leafs?

Have no idea about the bumper weights as of yet. The rear has a swing away spare tire carrier, and double jerry can carrier. Front is full 3/8 plate steel, with ability to have a winch put in. Probably a XD9000i.

Back will be a A/T FlipPac. Probably drawers, fridge, etc. for full expedition use.

I just have a cheap Daystar 3" lift. Spacers on front, and shackles.

I know it is going to take around $1500 or more to get this right.

 

[FJR Colorado]

If you are going to spend that level of $$, I'd suggest Icons over the OMEs.

 

[Applejack]

If you are going to spend that level of $$, I'd suggest Icons over the OMEs.

But the rear end needs addressed too.

I'd go 882/FR with a OME DAKAR Heavy pack for the rear.

I considered CO's but opted for a full OME set up, after talking to a few folks who run CO's of different brands. All of them said they'd just go OME if they were to do it over again.
While they like their CO's they didn't like the quirks (squeeks, periodic rebuilds, recharges).


Coil Overs are like a trophy wife, they're beautiful to look at and can really take a pounding but they're just too high maintenance.:sombrero:

 

[mattafact]

Icons front and rear. Do it once, do it right. Any of the rebuildable, revalvable shocks (Fox, King, Bilstein) will be far better in the long run.

Icon charges ~$60 each to rebuild the shock if I remember right.