Suspension setup for Metal Tech 4X4 front bumper

[ws6616]

Hello all,
I recently jumped on the metal tech 4x4 group buy (considered it as a birthday present for myself) and after placing my order, i realized i might have suspension issues that I need to address. I said "might" because Metal Tech rep told me it's only 55 pounds for the fortress stage 1 bumper, and im not sure if it's going to be too heavy for stock suspension.

My question is, will my stock 2017 SR5 suspension be able to handle the weight of front bumper? if not, what route should i go with (asking for ideas) if i am not looking for massive lift/ no travel, adjust-ability is not a must, am not planning to do crazy off-roading like rock-crawling (at most just trails), and not looking to spend more than $1300?
I don't mind retaining the stock height as well.

Thank you in advance for the replies! I know i am probably missing some information here, so please let me know if i am missing any info!

 

[3wbdriver]

55 pounds is light enough your factory setup MIGHT handle it without changes. If you do have some sag a set of Bilstein 5100's set at 0 and a pair of OME 884 springs should do the trick. They are 2" lift but factory weight springs, so at minimum they should give you back what you lost to that weight. It won't adversely affect your handling, so I would add the bumper first, then see if you need the assist. I drove mine for several months after adding a bumper and winch having lost 3/4" to the extra weight. I ended up changing to OME 885's because they were just about perfect for the 130 pounds I had added.

If you intend to add a winch also I would consider the 885's.

 

[ws6616]

55 pounds is light enough your factory setup MIGHT handle it without changes. If you do have some sag a set of Bilstein 5100's set at 0 and a pair of OME 884 springs should do the trick. They are 2" lift but factory weight springs, so at minimum they should give you back what you lost to that weight. It won't adversely affect your handling, so I would add the bumper first, then see if you need the assist. I drove mine for several months after adding a bumper and winch having lost 3/4" to the extra weight. I ended up changing to OME 885's because they were just about perfect for the 130 pounds I had added.



If you intend to add a winch also I would consider the 885's.

I realized it’s +65 lbs over stock bumper (according to their site).
I am now looking for 650lbs rated springs and was going to get the toytec boss kit.

My other option is bilstein 6112 plus 650lb springs plus 5160/ 5100 in the back. Don’t know what springs to get though...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

650 lb might be kinda stiff. I have 600 lb springs w 250 lbs of bumper and winch. Add to that skid plates, dual batts w heavy cable, and an air compressor. So it has over 300 lbs extra and it still rides fine. But if you go w 650s, look at all the crap you can add and not worry. Just be ready for a harsh ride until you add the weight.

 

[ws6616]

i see. i never thought about how the heavier rated springs can affect ride feel.
generally speaking, would that harsher ride affect off road experience negatively?
i came from a GTI on coilovers and still have an e30 with harsh springs, so on road harshness is actually something i am accustomed to. but if it will negatively affect my wheeling experience (nothing like rock crawling, just trails and unpaved service roads) then i will consider getting 600lbs.

650 lb might be kinda stiff. I have 600 lb springs w 250 lbs of bumper and winch. Add to that skid plates, dual batts w heavy cable, and an air compressor. So it has over 300 lbs extra and it still rides fine. But if you go w 650s, look at all the crap you can add and not worry. Just be ready for a harsh ride until you add the weight.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

[MENTION=176422]ws6616[/MENTION] Mine were pretty stiff. But I had E rated tires on it as well. Speed bumps were always fun. It was pretty harsh on washboard and ruts off road, until I added the bumper and dropped the psi (17lbs) in my tires. Your springs will need to settle in also. They relax a little over time and it won't be so harsh. I got to where I was purposely hitting stuff just cycle them thru more and soften them up.
There are other people on here who know this stuff a lot better than I do. Hopefully they will chime in. I'm going to rebuild my shocks soon, debating whether I'm gonna go with #650s, cause my weight and ride height on the front is hovering right at next step up in spring rate.

 

[ws6616]

well guess what... bilstein 6112s are all out and won't be back till 6/15/18.
now im debating if i should get 5100s with 3" springs from toytec, or OME complete kit, or toytec BOSS...
but with 3" springs, even after bumper i think i will need UCA no?

[MENTION=176422]ws6616[/MENTION] Mine were pretty stiff. But I had E rated tires on it as well. Speed bumps were always fun. It was pretty harsh on washboard and ruts off road, until I added the bumper and dropped the psi (17lbs) in my tires. Your springs will need to settle in also. They relax a little over time and it won't be so harsh. I got to where I was purposely hitting stuff just cycle them thru more and soften them up.
There are other people on here who know this stuff a lot better than I do. Hopefully they will chime in. I'm going to rebuild my shocks soon, debating whether I'm gonna go with #650s, cause my weight and ride height on the front is hovering right at next step up in spring rate.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

well guess what... bilstein 6112s are all out and won't be back till 6/15/18.
now im debating if i should get 5100s with 3" springs from toytec, or OME complete kit, or toytec BOSS...
but with 3" springs, even after bumper i think i will need UCA no?

Your bumper might be not installed before the 6112s are back in stock. Take your time and do it the way you want. As far as UCAs, under 2" of lift they are not necessary. If you have plans in the future to go w a taller lift and bigger tires, get the UCAs. Call a few vendors and see what they recommend. They all understand budgets and getting the bang for buck factor. Micah at Downsouth motorsports was helpful as well as Ben Brazda at Filthy Motorsports and he has some info videos on youtube https://youtu.be/NLhqHPILqn0 Ben actually worked with me via email, helping me measure to see if my ride height was still acceptable with all the weight I've added.
Toytec is another vendor that people have good things to say about. Side note: I don't have experience with Bilsteins, but I'm pretty sure your thoughts of a #650 spring would be a harsher ride than you want.

 

[3wbdriver]

I realized it’s +65 lbs over stock bumper (according to their site).
I am now looking for 650lbs rated springs and was going to get the toytec boss kit.

My other option is bilstein 6112 plus 650lb springs plus 5160/ 5100 in the back. Don’t know what springs to get though...

Bear in mind you are removing around 20 - 30 pounds of factory bumper when making your calculations. The factory bumper is an aluminum square tube that doesn't really have a lot of weight to it. But it is weight you are removing nevertheless. Think of it as setting a 4 year old kid on your hood. That's really all you are adding. As for the 3" lift springs, that's JUST a bit of a departure from your OP, LOL. I was pushing the OME's because they are only 2" lift springs. Hence not affecting your ride height too radically.

 

[ws6616]

sounds good.
i've been talking to quite a few guys already and i have a basic idea of what to get. i wasn't planned to lift until my duratracs run out so that i get go 275 or 285 with the lift... right now im at 265.

Your bumper might be not installed before the 6112s are back in stock. Take your time and do it the way you want. As far as UCAs, under 2" of lift they are not necessary. If you have plans in the future to go w a taller lift and bigger tires, get the UCAs. Call a few vendors and see what they recommend. They all understand budgets and getting the bang for buck factor. Micah at Downsouth motorsports was helpful as well as Ben Brazda at Filthy Motorsports and he has some info videos on youtube https://youtu.be/NLhqHPILqn0 Ben actually worked with me via email, helping me measure to see if my ride height was still acceptable with all the weight I've added.
Toytec is another vendor that people have good things to say about. Side note: I don't have experience with Bilsteins, but I'm pretty sure your thoughts of a #650 spring would be a harsher ride than you want.

 

[ws6616]

only issue i have with 3" is that it might make my truck look like it skipped leg days... now im on 265 duratracs.

Bear in mind you are removing around 20 - 30 pounds of factory bumper when making your calculations. The factory bumper is an aluminum square tube that doesn't really have a lot of weight to it. But it is weight you are removing nevertheless. Think of it as setting a 4 year old kid on your hood. That's really all you are adding. As for the 3" lift springs, that's JUST a bit of a departure from your OP, LOL. I was pushing the OME's because they are only 2" lift springs. Hence not affecting your ride height too radically.

 

[3wbdriver]

only issue i have with 3" is that it might make my truck look like it skipped leg days... now im on 265 duratracs.

Lol. I was referencing one of your earlier posts. I'm still rocking 265's on a 2" lift myself. And have had a lot of unsuccessful peer pressure to upsize my tires. I like looking them in the eye and asking how their gas mileage is doing. :rockon:

 

[ws6616]

ended up getting the 2" lol

Lol. I was referencing one of your earlier posts. I'm still rocking 265's on a 2" lift myself. And have had a lot of unsuccessful peer pressure to upsize my tires. I like looking them in the eye and asking how their gas mileage is doing. :rockon: