Tundra / LC vs Tundra / OME Suspension Upgrade

[Koko4]

Right now I am running 265/75/16's (they are equivalent to 31's) and will be keeping them until they wear out completely. After that, I may upgrade to 33's, but that will definitely be the largest I go with the tires.

I want to upgrade the suspension and have been reading a TON about the Tundra / LC combo. I like the idea of using the front Tundra coils, with the 5100 Tundra adjustable Bilstein shocks. In the rear, I had wanted to use 7-8 wrap LC coils (from the front), combined with the 5100 Tundra Bilstein rear shocks. I'm starting to have second thoughts about the rear, and was thinking that something more along the lines of an OME 891/906 would be more appropriate.

I don't want the rake to be TOO bad, but a little bit would be tolerable. I don't want it to look funny with the 265/75/16's, until the time comes to get the 33's (the current tires have a LOT of life left, so it will be awhile).

I know I am going to have to get the 1" diff drop (or it's a cheap insurance for the CV's, at least) as well as a panhard drop bracket (~$50). Is the panhard drop really necessary? The adjustable ones are all in the $200 range...

Rear brake lines will have to be extended, but will the fronts?

Do you think the rear LC coils will be too much lift / too bouncy for my 4runner? I plan on taking it to trails, but also using it for light driving.. although I do have a '97 Civic that I use for my daily driver. I went on a good trail ride last weekend and the mod-bug has DEFINITELY bit.

I have been referring to these two threads a bunch over the past few days:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101758-**rickashays-ome-vs-trd-tundra-lc-review**.html

Sorry, I am just very indecisive about which would be better for my applications..I thought I was set on the LC option, but now that I read more about it, it might be a bit overkill with the extreme height in the rear. I usually do not carry a ton of gear in the back, and I am probably not going to add armor to the rear. I will, however, put on a plate bumper or ARB bumper, and a winch, in the future.

 

[JayRolla]

The 891/906's will ride like rocks. They are very stiff and its why most dont like the OME ride unless they got some weight. I love the LC coils. They ride like a stock truck. Little soft when loaded but that little extra rake takes care of that. If you go with 7 wraps, dont install the stock cone bump stops you will get around 3.5" rear lift. So your looking at about 1" rake which is not bad. Also this rake really helps when approaching angles offroading. Helps the rear from hanging up.

 

[Koko4]

Thanks for the quick reply. The harshness definitely turns me off of the OME coils. Now I have to find a 7-coil LC spring set.... Where to begin with that?

Do you have any experience with the Tundra coils / adjustable 5100's up front? Is it necessary to replace the .5" bushing in the Tundra 5100 with the .75" one? Would my local 4WheelParts store supply this?

I just don't want to gloss over anything that I might be missing / need when it's all apart.

 

[Red October]

Im actually in kinda the same boat here, except that I already bought OME 890/881, with Tundra Bilstein 5100s and Tokiko black (Stock LC) rear shocks. I have practically brand new 265s too. Hoping to get all my parts on in the next couple weeks.

From what I understand its the OME shocks and struts that are what makes the ride a little stiff for some peoples liking. I have run OME springs on a couple other rigs and always been pleased with the results, and the single time I ever ran any of their shocks they did feel a bit stiff.

My plan is to run the 881s on the third setting, I'm aiming at about 3" of lift with little rake. Some people go for the stinkbug look, Im not a fan, plus my truck is empty most of the time.

The reason I didn't go with the Tundra/LC springs is because I have never seen one of those trucks that wasn't picked to the bone around here in a pick-a-part (Central AZ), and the price of new was considerably more than I wanted to pay.

Of course this is all speculation from where I stand right now, This is my first 3rd Gen build, and I wont know for sure how it will turn out till I get it all together. I could be way off.

 

[Koko4]

Can you guys tell me how many wraps this appears to be? I was thinking the 7.5 range, although without knowing the color code, I can't be positive. Is $80 shipped a decent deal?

And would I be able to slap these: http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/nearly-new-oem-80-series-front-shocks-tokico-48511-60480.822519/ on those 7.5 wrap coils? It looks like I'd need to buy a boat-load of hardware to mount them, though. I'm unfamiliar with all of that.

 

[shootmymime]

Can you guys tell me how many wraps this appears to be? I was thinking the 7.5 range, although without knowing the color code, I can't be positive. Is $80 shipped a decent deal?

And would I be able to slap these: For Sale: - nearly new OEM 80 series front shocks - Tokico 48511-60480 | IH8MUD Forum on those 7.5 wrap coils? It looks like I'd need to buy a boat-load of hardware to mount them, though. I'm unfamiliar with all of that.

:lookout: nope those are not 7 wraps. only 6.5. most 7 wraps are like 7.5 and 7 3/4 are those off a land cruiser? they dont look right. others chime in before you buy them.

 

[Koko4]

Yeah, the guy said they were off of an 80 series LC (not sure what year, he didn't specify). I didn't think they looked totally right either..wanted to be sure with the color codes. Weary..I probably won't buy them now! Thanks for the help. Keep an eye out for 7-wraps I'm having a real hard time finding some!

 

[jgilbreath]

I have tundra springs for the front and LC springs for the rear. My thought now is what shocks to use. I will do tundra 5100 in the front on second perch. I had planned on tundra 5100 shocks for the rear, but i an now thinking about some 2.0 foxes if there is something that fits. I thought i had seen another post about rear 4th Gen or FJ shocks fitting. All pro has decent prices on fox for those vehicles. Does anybody know if those would fit a 3rd gen?

Edit: i am referring to the fox 980 24 67_
https://www.allprooffroad.com/fjrearsuspension/fjcrearshocks/297

 

[Koko4]

Don't you think it'd just be easiest to get a matching set of 5100's, front and rear for around $370 shipped? People seem to like them.

 

[jgilbreath]

Yes, matching 5100s have been on my mind for months. But it seems like it would be worth it to upgrade to rear foxes for another $50.

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm going to be the voice of dissension here - I like my OME setup. It's a truck suspension, made for a truck that gets used like a truck. A little stiff on the pavement perhaps, but it soaks up washboard like nothing else I've ridden in and it's like butter in the ruts and rocks. Where a truck with a "comfort" suspension will sway and squish and generally handle like a warm bowl of Jello with wheels, the OME keeps the truck firm and planted with no unpredictable weight shift and no body sway. It's a dream on the dirt.

I've ridden in rigs with the LC/Tundra coils combo, and in my opinion that setup doesn't compare. You mentioned you'd been on a trail ride and want more, so my two cents is you really ought to give the OME setup a harder look. You'll clear 265s easily with no need for a diff drop or panhard drop, and 285s will stuff with a little trimming and bumpstop work. I know the LC/Tundra setup works well for a lot of folks and the OME gets a bad rap from a lot of guys (most of whom it seems rarely see dirt and probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place), but I think it's a great option for a truck that's being built with dual duty in mind.

 

[JayRolla]

I'm going to be the voice of dissension here - I like my OME setup. It's a truck suspension, made for a truck that gets used like a truck. A little stiff on the pavement perhaps, but it soaks up washboard like nothing else I've ridden in and it's like butter in the ruts and rocks. Where a truck with a "comfort" suspension will sway and squish and generally handle like a warm bowl of Jello with wheels, the OME keeps the truck firm and planted with no unpredictable weight shift and no body sway. It's a dream on the dirt.

I've ridden in rigs with the LC/Tundra coils combo, and in my opinion that setup doesn't compare. You mentioned you'd been on a trail ride and want more, so my two cents is you really ought to give the OME setup a harder look. You'll clear 265s easily with no need for a diff drop or panhard drop, and 285s will stuff with a little trimming and bumpstop work. I know the LC/Tundra setup works well for a lot of folks and the OME gets a bad rap from a lot of guys (most of whom it seems rarely see dirt and probably shouldn't have bought it in the first place), but I think it's a great option for a truck that's being built with dual duty in mind.

Your so right. My lc rear end rides like oem truck. Better on any washboard than my ome buddy's and out flexes them easily. Also more lift without needing top out spacer. Man I guess I should switch back because I'm missing out on harsh road truck. 90% people buy 4runners to drive on road. If I want a truck I'll buy a truck.

 

[papapoopski]

to the OP - so you have a daily driver already and the runner is a weekend toy?
How much driving are you doing to get to trails? How much time are you spending on trails?

I have 5100's all around, 906 springs in the rear and tundra TRD springs in the front. I went with this because I load the cargo area floor to ceiling on a regular basis and wanted heavier duty springs. I wanted a nice mix of road manners and trail capability. I deal with loading up the truck more than I get trail time in. I'm very happy with my setup.

I like the stiffer springs even when unloaded. The truck handles corners better. IMO I think my truck needed stiffer springs once it started getting lifted a bit. I'm only lifted 2" but it feels more planted on corners and doesn't roll to the outside of the turn on windy roads.

 

[Koko4]

The trails I'm driving to around around 1.5 - 2 hours away, generally. I still want to have "road manners" and be able to use it as a normal get-around vehicle if I felt like it, but at this time it is strictly a second vehicle.

I don't load up the truck a ridiculous amount - usually just some tools in toolbags in the back, with a recovery strap..a cooler in the rear passenger seats, nothing too crazy. I will have a front bumper and winch in the future, though, and that's why the adjustable 5100's seem like a good idea to me. It's the rears I'm really unsure / going back and forth on.

If I ran the Bilstein 5100 shocks, with OME coils, would that be a decent setup (on the rear). And then the Tundra coils / Bilstein 5100's on the front? (The Bilsteins are the ones made for a Tundra, right?)

 

[KidVermicious]

Your so right. My lc rear end rides like oem truck. Better on any washboard than my ome buddy's and out flexes them easily. Also more lift without needing top out spacer. Man I guess I should switch back because I'm missing out on harsh road truck. 90% people buy 4runners to drive on road. If I want a truck I'll buy a truck.

Don't take it personal, it's just opinions and everybody has their own preference. You're right that most people guys on this board bought their 4Runners to scoot around town and are disappointed when they buy OME and it doesn't ride like a Cadillac. But the OP specifically said he was looking to mod his truck for trail duty and asked for opinions. I have a little experience in an OME-equipped 4Runner on the trails, so I offered mine.

If you think your suspension rides like stock and you like that, great. More power to you and I'm happy that you're happy with your setup, I mean that. I happen to think most SUV and pickup stock suspensions are tuned to make soccer moms and commuters happy and actually perform like crap in the dirt. That's just my opinion and I don't require anybody to agree with me. I sure wish I could share it with a guy asking for advice without somebody else getting butthurt that I don't share their personal preference, though.

The trails I'm driving to around around 1.5 - 2 hours away, generally. I still want to have "road manners" and be able to use it as a normal get-around vehicle if I felt like it, but at this time it is strictly a second vehicle.

The OME springs and shocks still have fine road manners. The suspension is just a little more rigid and authoritarian, that's all. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[papapoopski]

Check out this thread, part numbers and opinions are all there - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/154200-speedys-lift-install-how-video.html

just to reiterate, I'm very happy with my setup. I enjoy the ride a lot.

 

[JayRolla]

Don't take it personal, it's just opinions and everybody has their own preference. You're right that most people guys on this board bought their 4Runners to scoot around town and are disappointed when they buy OME and it doesn't ride like a Cadillac. But the OP specifically said he was looking to mod his truck for trail duty and asked for opinions. I have a little experience in an OME-equipped 4Runner on the trails, so I offered mine.

If you think your suspension rides like stock and you like that, great. More power to you and I'm happy that you're happy with your setup, I mean that. I happen to think most SUV and pickup stock suspensions are tuned to make soccer moms and commuters happy and actually perform like crap in the dirt. That's just my opinion and I don't require anybody to agree with me. I sure wish I could share it with a guy asking for advice without somebody else getting butthurt that I don't share their personal preference, though.



The OME springs and shocks still have fine road manners. The suspension is just a little more rigid and authoritarian, that's all. Good luck with whatever you choose.

No it's cool. I have hybrid setup. Ome 881 and sport comforts. Softest setup they make and it's still pretty stiff. Good thing is they do handle good when missing front sway bar. I really just don't like the rear springs compared to the lcs.

 

[KidVermicious]

No it's cool.

Cool. If i misread you and overreacted, I apologize, I'm cranky this morning. Let's hook up in Moab some time so I can buy you a beer.

 

[Red October]

In a general sense I think that shock selection in this case is going to be what makes the ride more comfortable or not.

I personally think the stock ride is a bit too squishy, and as a result I purposely chose shocks that are valved for a heavier vehicle, ie, Tundra 5100s, and LC Tokikos.

Springs make a difference too, but IMO, a 185 lb single rate spring is going to perform very closely to another 185 lb spring made by another manufacturer.

LC springs are progressive tho, I think, so that will make a difference.

 

[Red October]

I'm kinda interested to hear opinions of guys running OME springs with different shock setups

It almost seems that most run the shocks and springs together. And when they decide they don't like it they change both not one or the other.