Suggestion for coils or leave it

[Moroney167]

I have about 6k miles on my suspension now and starting to see things I like and don't. Had couple off-road adventures. I have had my years of serious wheeling and I am not looking to do so with my runner now. I live in NY so I'm not doing 80 mph runs through crazy roads and trails like some lucky people do in AZ and such areas. It's basically slow 4Lo range trails. I'm all for trying some tricky spots, but I don't want to smash up my new truck as I use to. So in reality it's 90%+ on road work and back driving. Which is hilly and lot of turning twisty back roads. I do a lot of highway trips. Planning a cross country month trip next year. Also do a lot of winter trips to cabin, mostly loaded with 3-4 people and bags. As well as a lot of bicycle trips which can be two bikes and people w gear or up to 4. I know there light but hitch weight can go up to 100lbs before cargo loaded.

Last wheeling I did truck worked awesome. Super soft and flexy through the trail and cleared all I needed with low body. But of course on road my majority I feel it's can be perfect sometimes, others very soft and floaty for cornering. Loaded up it can be worse of course. I don't tow but there's a chance I buy a camper soon which will be smaller, or my 2 place snowmobile trailer. The truck can do it all just fine even stock but better is always nice.

I have 5100's all way around with 1.75 front on stock coils. With 20mm (just shy 1") of spacers above stock coils in rear.

What I'm thinking, would it be worth it to look into better coils? I'm not looking to go much taller, and don't want to do UCA's. Perhaps 1.5" SAW rears to keep low as I can. And OME in front what ever gives me 2" or even less if I could. I like it level with tail a hair high of course but don't want to end up with a crazy rake.

Any suggestions? Is it going to be really worth it for what I'm doing? Worth the garage time and money? I don't want to end up bouncing and jolting the ride I have now on road, although would probably help a ton with highway driving not swaying all over road. It's not terrible now but few times I can say it made me a little mad. Behind the wheel for hours at a time though your mind can go nuts about anything! Thanks for reading

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Sounds like air bags for the rear are in order. The front is another dilemma. Trying to increase by only 2" with coils. I suppose you could do coil overs and just barely lift the front, then do SAWS on the rear. If it were me I would do the air bags in the rear, keep the rest of the suspension the way it is and go from there. You could always sell them on here if you don't end up liking it set up that way.

 

[Jhalko]

Get the SAW rear coils and if you get a trailer you can always add the air bags, adjust the front as needed but try rear coils first. The on road ride of the SAW coils with the bilstein shocks is quite good. A bit better with some weight in the back but with nothing it's still fine.

 

[Moroney167]

Thanks for input. Going to keep sleeping on it. Hasn't let me down yet but I would like to firm up.

On other side I'm still fighting all I can to not go with Icon stage 2 or 3 and skid plate it all. Kills me I can go wheel due to time, and location. There's just no where good to go that isn't extreme rock crawling (along with no so legal.) then again finally a nice vehicle that's clean, heated seats and flys on highway. Over my last rubicon build which was amazing just couldn't do or fit anything my runner does. I just can never leave things alone.

 

[3wbdriver]

Sounds like most of your weight increase will be in the back. I'd try airbags or SAW coils first, then maybe add front OME's if you think they are needed. I have the OME's in the front, but it is to offset the added bumper and winch.

 

[Titanpat57]

I'd look at the the new OME BP-51 setup, fully adjustable fronts.....and still do the airbags in the rear coils for weight balance...cheap mod for great results.

The regular OME setup with springs and front coils is also very good, at probably have the price of the BP-51

Main Line Overland down in PA. are ARB dealers...ask for Matt and tell him I sent ya.

 

[phillyd2]

Nothing new to add but I agree that SAW coils are a no brainier to start. Cheap, easy and effective. I would also ditch the spacer.

Also +1 on the Mainline recommendation but for just new coils even your local Pep Boys can do it if you don't want to.

I too have air bags and but don't need or use them for pulling a lighter boat or trailer with an ATV. Check my build thread for pictures to see how it stands and the lack of sag.

Run that for a while to see if you want to invest in a completely new suspension. My guess is that the answer will be NO for your mix of driving.

 

[Moroney167]

Appreciate info. I'll be sure to check out mainline in PA.

As for installs That's no problem in the garage. Not worried about that. I am on fence. I might go for the coils it's not much money. Probably order front OME as well so once done and I drive a few days I don't have to wait if I end up wanting a little more lift in front. Anyone complain about OME coils on 5100's? I'm happy with the shocks.

 

[bloodninja]

FWIW, Main Line Overland is who I'm using for my build as well. They're very easy to talk to.

 

[jwkilgore]

Most practical answer: leave everything as is for a while. If you decide you don't like it, then change. If you get a camper and/or start to load up the rear to the point of a reverse rake, then look at getting new rear airbags. If you need more rear articulation, then look at getting longer springs.

Unless you have extra money burning a hole in your pocket and want to customize now... then do whatever