Suspension opinions please

C

Cmparry85

New member
Hey all, I am looking for your opinions in upgrading my current stock suspension. I own a 2001 sr5 with 202k miles on it. It is a daily driver but i do carpool most of the time to conserve miles. I use it mostly to get me and the dogs to local fishing or hunting spots that are usually off some mild terrained trails. I do take a few trips up north every year, anywhere from 3-6 hours away and again while on these trips I experience mild terrained trails at most. It is not used to climb rocks or get through bogs. With that being said living in New England in the winter can offer obvious wintry elements, deep snow, ice..etc. My goal is to upgrade the current stock configuration to something to enhance the ride in these conditions. I would like to have capabilities to carry more weight and tow when needed, but with daily driving efficiency in mind. I am not particularly looking for a significant lift but would not mind 2-3” raise. I appreciate all your advice and recommendations and thank you for building inspirational rigs that excite the mind!
 
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do a search there is plenty of discussion on this. most prefer bilistien 5100 shocks and struts. you may want to think about air adjustable. Trying something on mine now. if it works I will let you know
 
Ricktuk said:
do a search there is plenty of discussion on this. most prefer bilistien 5100 shocks and struts. you may want to think about air adjustable. Trying something on mine now. if it works I will let you know
Click to expand...

Thanks Ricktuk. Ill do some more diggin on here.
 
I have been really happy with my ToyTec lift. When I bought this rig the previous owner had already installed it. The only upgrade I have had to do to the suspension is to replace the stock UCAs with Camburgs. Since that swap it has rode smoother (to the point my wife commented) and handles really nice on the road.
 
i have the load level airbags in the rear and they work great for the occasional fully loaded road trip. i take air out for daily driving and pump them up if i know im going to load the 4runner up or hook a trailer to it.
 
I’ve been very happy with bilstein 5100s and toytec-ebiach for the front and lc 8 wraps with lc tokico for the rear. I daily drive 60mi round trip with no problems. Great handling, kind of firm suspension but it works for me! Since you’re looking to haul and carry more weight, I’m sure someone could chime in about pairing 5100s in the rear with some heavier coils. Lc coils start sagging with an increase in weight (so I’m told)
 
I've got ToyTec BOSS coilovers with 550lb springs up front and OME 890s/ToyTec shocks out back. I'm really happy with the ride.
 
tarsun said:
i have the load level airbags in the rear and they work great for the occasional fully loaded road trip. i take air out for daily driving and pump them up if i know im going to load the 4runner up or hook a trailer to it.
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I am currently running this same setup on my stock suspension, and it works very well.

0e2085d4c13ad70feb5d2da5ae52b800.jpg


Without the airbags, this load would be sagging 2-3 inches and we would hit the bump stops often...

1c5d233d4ea71ecfa75a4508072bb2bf.jpg
 
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I've got 890s and "toytec" shocks in the rear (turns out they are ProComp shocks) and with a bunch of extra weight in the back it drops some.
If you don't mind the 3" lift, and carry gear often enough, consider 891s

If you lift the front more than 2-2.5" you may run into issues with alignment (limit of upper control arm) but the 5100 shock has notches allowing you to tune the height via spring preload.
For about $200 a pair the bilsteins are a great upgrade from worn original shocks or cheap aftermarket shocks.
 
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I did the same as described in the youtube of Speedy's garage, along with a slight increase with the 265/75/16 tire. all told probably 2" from the suspension lift & another inch from the tire. it rides nice and plenty of ground clearance for snow / trail use.
 
For about a year I ran the Tundra billies with the Tundra TRD springs on the first notch (I have a 3rz - might need the 2nd notch with a 5vz) with OME 890 springs in the back. Really liked the setup for what I was driving then. Was doing a 10 hour round trip to Northern Cal every other week.
 
All of this worked perfectly with stock UCAs on my 2000. Alignment is well within spec.

OME 891/880
Wheelers diff drop
Wheelers extended rear brake line
 
The goals for my truck seem pretty similar to yours. I wanted to keep a suspension geometry close to stock. Bilstein 4600s on stock coils (tall 99's in back) have worked out great. I also used the AirLift bags in the rear coils so I can adjust when loaded down or using a hitch carrier -- they are awesome!
 
tarsun said:
i have the load level airbags in the rear and they work great for the occasional fully loaded road trip. i take air out for daily driving and pump them up if i know im going to load the 4runner up or hook a trailer to it.
Click to expand...

007Tacoma said:
I am currently running this same setup on my stock suspension, and it works very well.

0e2085d4c13ad70feb5d2da5ae52b800.jpg


Without the airbags, this load would be sagging 2-3 inches and we would hit the bump stops often...
Click to expand...

Did the same with 880's on Billy's up front and Airlift bags in FJ cruiser coils, giving a 1.5" all around. With any load we no longer sit on the bump stops or get jarred from the short distance.
 
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