Suspension Wisdom: Stock, Tundra TRD, OME 906

[Donny Voodoo]

Hey everybody,

Yes, that pool of blood, hair and hooves beside me was once a horse, and for that I apologize. :deadhorse:

I'm needing to replace my struts and shocks and would like some advice. I'm interested in doing Tundra TRD's and OME 906's with Tundra Bilsteins. Based on my needs and the research I've done, this is the kit for me. My '96 4x4 is used primarily for commuting 70 miles round trip on the highway, but it's also what I'll use for bringing the bikes to trails, occasional camping trips and lumber/mulch runs. Off-road will be fairly limited for the time being.

The truck has 110k miles on it and the rear springs were replaced under the recall in 2002. It currently sits at 21" front and 21.25" rear. Based on data I've gotten, I'm only going to see about a 1/2" lift all around. This is where I need advice:

I'm not sure spending close to $500 on springs is worth 1/2" of lift. However, inner logic and a lot of folks on here are telling me to replace 20 and 14 year old springs.

Option 1: TRD's, 906's and Tundra 5100's
Option 2: stock fronts, 906's and Tundra 5100's
Option 3: stock coils, coil spacer or trim packers and Tundra 5100's
Option 4: OEM Toyota struts and shocks, 10mm trim packer


Update: I went with option 1 and added 10mm trim packs out back to ensure some rake.

Here's stock height:

After lift:

After alignment and over 500 miles, I gained 1.25" in front and 1.5" in back with 10mm trim packs. New hub to fender is 22.25" front; 23" rear.

 

[ColtonAdkison]

Why only a half inch?

 

[Donny Voodoo]

from what I've seen online, TRD's are in the 21.5" range on lowest perch and 906's get rears to ~22". I'm at 21 and 21.25" respectively stock.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Are you looking for a lift or a better ride? I was almost positive that the 906s got 2" above normal unless you had 99 tall coils which would net you a little less but still over an inch. I have used Tundra coils on the 2nd perch and have almost 3" of lift in the front. If you want noticeable lift then go a little taller ( 890s, Eibachs orLC 7.5 ) in the back and put the tundra on the send notch. If you just want to improve the ride then no matter what you spend height shouldn't matter.

 

[Donny Voodoo]

I'm looking for a better ride first and foremost. I'd really like a lift as well, but I want it to be noticeable if I'm spending that kind of money.

I like the idea of the TRD/5100 front as I can grow into LC coils someday, a la the Sonoran Steel setup, should I want a bigger lift, but right now, I can't justify the extra expense to properly raise the truck (panhard bar, diff drop, bump stops, etc.) It's a waste for my current use. I do love the way these sit with 3" lifts and 33's, though. Maybe someday if I live somewhere with a landscape worthy of such.

If anybody reading this has TRD's w/Tundra 5100's or 906's, please chime in with you hub to fender measurements.

 

[jpeaslee]

I'm looking for a better ride first and foremost. I'd really like a lift as well, but I want it to be noticeable if I'm spending that kind of money.

I like the idea of the TRD/5100 front as I can grow into LC coils someday, a la the Sonoran Steel setup, should I want a bigger lift, but right now, I can't justify the extra expense to properly raise the truck (panhard bar, diff drop, bump stops, etc.) It's a waste for my current use. I do love the way these sit with 3" lifts and 33's, though. Maybe someday if I live somewhere with a landscape worthy of such.

If anybody reading this has TRD's w/Tundra 5100's or 906's, please chime in with you hub to fender measurements.

This is exactly what I did unfortunately in the time span of upgrading to need the full 3" lift, I also added a bumper and winch, even on the 3rd perch I wasn't getting the 3" I needed with the TRDs. I ended up with icon coilovers. Aside from not getting the lift with the extra weight, I was 100% satisfied with the TRDs, to a point that I was contemplating going winchless just to save weight and get some height back. I thought about and actual diet, but that didn't happen...

 

[HuntG212]

FJ rear coils are another option for the rear. Net about 1" lift. I run them and really like them.

There is a thread on here somewhere.

 

[buccaneerbandit]

lift

I am currently running the 5100/ Tundra setup in front and the OME 906 in the rear. I like the ride and the 906's will give you a little added load capacity. I got an even 2 in in the back and the same in the front.

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

I just measured my rear and I'm 22.75" with 906 coils and stock rear shocks.

 

[UnderFire]

My advice having run or ridden in a lot of combonations is:

Tundra 5100's on the lowest or 2nd perch with Toytec/Eibach 600# springs (Tundra TRD's are ok, but Eibachs are softer.)

OME 890 in the rear with LC Black Tokicos or FJ Bilstein 5100's depending on how much you wanna spend.

Should end up around 3" rear and 2-2.5" front, and have no issues with needing a diff drop right away, bumpstops can come later.

 

[frodiesel]

I just measured my rear and I'm 22.75" with 906 coils and stock rear shocks.

Good to know. I have the time today to add 906s to my monroe stockish 4runner shocks. I always have 200lbs in my trunk. I park next to another 3rd gen everyday seeing the noticable difference and sag is annoying. The front can wait until after the tbu upgrade

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[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

My advice having run or ridden in a lot of combonations is:

Tundra 5100's on the lowest or 2nd perch with Toytec/Eibach 600# springs (Tundra TRD's are ok, but Eibachs are softer.)

OME 890 in the rear with LC Black Tokicos or FJ Bilstein 5100's depending on how much you wanna spend.

Should end up around 3" rear and 2-2.5" front, and have no issues with needing a diff drop right away, bumpstops can come later.

Have you ever mounted the FJ Cruiser shocks? The reason I ask is because I bought them and mounted one side and quickly realized that I was going to have almost no travel as there was only about 4" of shaft exposed at fully droop. By the time I would have jacked up the axle to put the tire on I would have had about 2" of travel before they would have bottomed out. I was bummed because the lower bushing fit perfectly. Now the upper part was a challenge but it would have worked. I sent them back and stuck with the Tundras.

 

[Donny Voodoo]

UnderFire, I thought about the Eibach's, but I like some rake and would have to run LC 8 wraps to be happy. I just don't want to open the can of worms that is going to a 3" lift since there's not much down here in south Florida to take advantage of.

I may have answered my own question this morning. Had an emergency stop at slow speed and wasn't too thrilled with the amount of nose dive that occurred. I wouldn't mind a little firmer setup.

Fro, did you get your 906's on? What hub to fender measurements did you get?

 

[WallyWest]

My advice having run or ridden in a lot of combonations is:

Tundra 5100's on the lowest or 2nd perch with Toytec/Eibach 600# springs (Tundra TRD's are ok, but Eibachs are softer.)

OME 890 in the rear with LC Black Tokicos or FJ Bilstein 5100's depending on how much you wanna spend.

Should end up around 3" rear and 2-2.5" front, and have no issues with needing a diff drop right away, bumpstops can come later.

This sounds about perfect for my needs, thanks.

I want a mild lift but nothing too crazy. Any idea what the largest tire I could comfortably run with that lift would be?

 

[thaemcee2]

be forewarned-if you run 906s in the rear with no extra weight, the ride will be incredibly stiff...to the point i got rid of them because of this, and cause i wanted more lift!
for such a mild lift and a softer ride, I would look into the stock 99 talls all around with 5100 shocks all around, this way you can just change out coils and keep the shocks if/when you want more lift...
fwiw diff drops arent expensive and unless youre seriously offroading you dont need the panhard drop and/or extended bump stops

 

[frodiesel]

be forewarned-if you run 906s in the rear with no extra weight, the ride will be incredibly stiff...to the point i got rid of them because of this, and cause i wanted more lift!
for such a mild lift and a softer ride, I would look into the stock 99 talls all around with 5100 shocks all around, this way you can just change out coils and keep the shocks if/when you want more lift...
fwiw diff drops arent expensive and unless youre seriously offroading you dont need the panhard drop and/or extended bump stops

I always have 200+lbs of tools for work and or a heavy bike rack. Also want to put my jetski back there on my hitch hauler, but the weight may require airbags

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[frodiesel]

UnderFire, I thought about the Eibach's, but I like some rake and would have to run LC 8 wraps to be happy. I just don't want to open the can of worms that is going to a 3" lift since there's not much down here in south Florida to take advantage of.

I may have answered my own question this morning. Had an emergency stop at slow speed and wasn't too thrilled with the amount of nose dive that occurred. I wouldn't mind a little firmer setup.

Fro, did you get your 906's on? What hub to fender measurements did you get?

Not yet, was going to to it down here in Missouri. But the gravel drive has me sketched out. So hopefully before the weekend as we are camping on lake michigan and i will really need them.
Stock suspension with new rockauto shocks in this pic.

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[Donny Voodoo]

be forewarned-if you run 906s in the rear with no extra weight, the ride will be incredibly stiff...

Were your 906's matched with the 5100's for a Tacoma or a Tundra? From what I've gathered, they're much more compliant on Tundra valving. I ordered 10mm trim packers to get another half inch in the rear - my thinking here is if they push the axle too far off center and the back wiggles, I can take them out. With 890's, I'd have to do a drop bracket or adj. panhard.

 

[thaemcee2]

Were your 906's matched with the 5100's for a Tacoma or a Tundra? From what I've gathered, they're much more compliant on Tundra valving. I ordered 10mm trim packers to get another half inch in the rear - my thinking here is if they push the axle too far off center and the back wiggles, I can take them out. With 890's, I'd have to do a drop bracket or adj. panhard.

neither i had them with the OME 60073 "comfort shocks" that were not comfortable...keep in mind that i had no extra weight really...you dont have to do a drop or adjustable, i as well as many others left it alone...i havent even done the ext. brake lines yet either...but again, i dont really offroad tho..

 

[Donny Voodoo]

Updated OP with info and pics. I appreciate the advice and feedback.

I'm happy with the height and got more lift than I anticipated. I was a bit nervous since the truck was tall to begin with.

I'm happy with the ride overall. It's very compliant through dips at speed and handles expansion joints well, but the front still feels a little loose through potholes and at times, the truck bobbles more than I'd like. The bobbling may be due to the fact that I'm not used to driving a truck - my other vehicle is an older BMW M3. It could also be due to the Tundra valving.

I changed out the upper and lower ball joints with OEM as well. Next on the list is front sway and end link bushings.