2012sr5
New member
***UPDATE*** 8.2.2017
***UPDATE*** 8.19.2017 See bottom of this first post...
Ok, so I've got a floaty, left-leaning (esp with a full tank), nose-diving SR5. Bought it used two months ago with 72k miles, and I'd bet these are the factory shocks.
After reading and searching so much about suspension, I think I have almost actually settled on what I want to go with. Just want to know some others' specific experiences before I pull the trigger.
Here's my situation: This is my DD. I am a session musician, and I'm usually hauling several guitars, maybe an amp or two (if my client isn't paying cartage), and other gear in the back. I also tow a small utility trailer often. My point is, there is almost always at least 100-150 lbs in the back, or a trailer, or a bunch of camping gear, because this has become the excursion vehicle for my family.
Here's my goal: I want no nose dive, I want it it to stay pretty level when turning (it leans hard now), and I want the floaty, swoopy feeling gone. I'd like it to ride like the truck that it is. And I want to pull a trailer or load up the back for daily work/road trips without the rear sagging. I don't care about lift or leveling it, but I would like to not make the rake worse.
I'm considering OME coils all the way around, and their nitrocharger shocks or Bilsteins. I have no plans of putting on a front or rear bumper at this time; maybe a roof rack in the future.
==========
QUESTIONS:
1. What would you recommend for coils? I've read so much my brain is mush.
2. If you have installed OME 884 coils in the front, did they lift your truck 2" or 3" after the initial settling period?
3. Has anyone done 885s up front with no aftermarket bumper or winch and not regretted it?
4. If you've installed OME coils at all, did they sag after 18-24 months?
5. What would you recommend for shocks up front and in the rear?
==========
I'm leaning toward 884 coils in the front, 895 coils in the rear, and using air bags if I need additional stability. I am leaning toward OME nitrocharger shocks or Bilsteins. I would rather replace the whole thing than have to deal with rebuilding them.
Thanks in advance!
=====================8.2.2017=====================
Well, I made up my mind and placed an order today with Wheeler's. I went with:
OME 2883 up front
Eibach T13 in the rear, and
5100s all the way around.
They recommended spacers for the left side to correct the lean, and I went ahead and paid them to assemble the front coilovers for me so I can just put them in when they arrive.
I should settle at 2" of lift up front and 1.5" of lift in the rear, which will even out the rake some. I really don't care about that too much; I just want it to drive like a truck with much less body roll in turns and no nose dive.
Thanks to everyone for the help! I'll report back with pics after it's installed.
=====================8.19.2017=====================
Well, that was fun. I had to buy some tools (mostly larger metric wrenches and impact driver sockets), but I finally got some time to get this installed. My initial impressions are that it does exactly what I want – it makes the truck drive like an actual truck. The body roll is drastically reduced, the driver's side lean is all but eliminated, and the nose dive is no more. But it doesn't feel like a Jeep on the pavement
. This is how it should drive from the factory, in my opinion.
If you're thinking about installing yourself, all you need to do is have the tools and watch a youtube video. Make an evening out of it.
Next step, new shoes...
***UPDATE*** 8.19.2017 See bottom of this first post...
Ok, so I've got a floaty, left-leaning (esp with a full tank), nose-diving SR5. Bought it used two months ago with 72k miles, and I'd bet these are the factory shocks.
After reading and searching so much about suspension, I think I have almost actually settled on what I want to go with. Just want to know some others' specific experiences before I pull the trigger.
Here's my situation: This is my DD. I am a session musician, and I'm usually hauling several guitars, maybe an amp or two (if my client isn't paying cartage), and other gear in the back. I also tow a small utility trailer often. My point is, there is almost always at least 100-150 lbs in the back, or a trailer, or a bunch of camping gear, because this has become the excursion vehicle for my family.
Here's my goal: I want no nose dive, I want it it to stay pretty level when turning (it leans hard now), and I want the floaty, swoopy feeling gone. I'd like it to ride like the truck that it is. And I want to pull a trailer or load up the back for daily work/road trips without the rear sagging. I don't care about lift or leveling it, but I would like to not make the rake worse.
I'm considering OME coils all the way around, and their nitrocharger shocks or Bilsteins. I have no plans of putting on a front or rear bumper at this time; maybe a roof rack in the future.
==========
QUESTIONS:
1. What would you recommend for coils? I've read so much my brain is mush.
2. If you have installed OME 884 coils in the front, did they lift your truck 2" or 3" after the initial settling period?
3. Has anyone done 885s up front with no aftermarket bumper or winch and not regretted it?
4. If you've installed OME coils at all, did they sag after 18-24 months?
5. What would you recommend for shocks up front and in the rear?
==========
I'm leaning toward 884 coils in the front, 895 coils in the rear, and using air bags if I need additional stability. I am leaning toward OME nitrocharger shocks or Bilsteins. I would rather replace the whole thing than have to deal with rebuilding them.
Thanks in advance!
=====================8.2.2017=====================
Well, I made up my mind and placed an order today with Wheeler's. I went with:
OME 2883 up front
Eibach T13 in the rear, and
5100s all the way around.
They recommended spacers for the left side to correct the lean, and I went ahead and paid them to assemble the front coilovers for me so I can just put them in when they arrive.
I should settle at 2" of lift up front and 1.5" of lift in the rear, which will even out the rake some. I really don't care about that too much; I just want it to drive like a truck with much less body roll in turns and no nose dive.
Thanks to everyone for the help! I'll report back with pics after it's installed.
=====================8.19.2017=====================
Well, that was fun. I had to buy some tools (mostly larger metric wrenches and impact driver sockets), but I finally got some time to get this installed. My initial impressions are that it does exactly what I want – it makes the truck drive like an actual truck. The body roll is drastically reduced, the driver's side lean is all but eliminated, and the nose dive is no more. But it doesn't feel like a Jeep on the pavement
If you're thinking about installing yourself, all you need to do is have the tools and watch a youtube video. Make an evening out of it.
Next step, new shoes...
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