Hi all, I have a 2001 SR5 4x4 that is on its stock suspension with 155k miles, I have owned it since 60k miles in 2006, and I plan on owning, or at least keeping it in the family, it for the next 15 years as well. Driving is 99% paved, 1% gravel roads sometimes in bad shape.
I want to reduce excess rebounding, body roll, generally improve composure, and reduce noise.
Shocks - Tokico Trekmasters front and back. It looks like they were discontinued but I found a few places that claim to still have them. If they aren't available, I was thinking OME. The OEM Tokico's are another consideration if the Trekmasters fall through. My current shocks are shot so anything will be a huge improvement.
How long do springs last and how do I know if mine are bad? Even if they "work" a 19 year old spring won't ride like a new one, right?
I like the idea of doing a 5th gen 4Runner rear spring (orange/pink) which would put me about a 1.5" over stock with a firmer spring. I would then want an inch up front so probably OME 880s or 99 talls? Seems like those are the only real options I can find, plus spacers if needed. Seems like everything else rides higher.
Any other options for springs I am not considering that are in the spirit of minimal lift improved ride? I would consider coil overs if they are worth the extra cash for on-road performance.
Bushings:
Many of my bushings are shot. All the aftermarket sets I am finding are polyurethane. Are there any parts that really benefit from being rubber? Seems like body mounting bushings in particular could benefit from being rubber. Steering rack I would liked tightened up so poly there makes sense. The others I am less sure on. The rear control arm bushings, for example, seem like a great place to isolate vibration, but also a way to keep everything firm to begin and provide better performance, overall I would lean rubber though. Sway bars though I think would benefit from poly for my purposes. Has anyone taken a hybrid approach on replacing their bushings?
Diff drop:
If I do a 1-2" lift or so, would I need to do a diff drop?
Front UCA:
Do uniball UCAs provide improved ride quality if I only lift 1-2"? At what point do they become recommended? I am thinking I can skip them, but maybe there is maintenance I should be doing while I am doing other things?
Sway bars:
I was going to do the suspension and bushings first and see if that got me where I want the rig to be. If it was still too loose, then add The Addco one's seem a good upgrade if I go this route.
Sound Deadening:
I have 100 pounds of the stuff ready to install as I take body panels off for stereo work and then eventually the rest of floor. I also need to replace the lock on my rear tailgate (was rear ended a year ago and just finally got a paint matched tailgate), so good time to access that!
Tires:
Going with Highway All-Seasons. Thinking something like Michelin Defenders. I see the 2020 Tacoma Premium 18" comes with them, but those wheels appear to be +35 offset. They are also 7.5" thick wheels (.5" thicker than mine), so another .25" (6.3MM) each side of center. So if I got a 1" (25.4MM) spacer that should get me within 1MM of original interior part of wheel, about 20MM past where the tire currently is. They are 265/60/18 so same height as my current 245/75/16. I found a local deal on a 2020 Tacoma Premium take off I want to grab if this would work. I currently have some unevenly worn, older Toyo All Terrains on it, so this should be a massive upgrade if they fit.
Seats:
I hate the seats in this thing. Still doing research. I think a replacement will go further than a re-foam and new leather. Seeing some BMWs, Audis, Lexuses (Lexi?) being swapped.
Any feedback on all of this would be appreciated.
I want to reduce excess rebounding, body roll, generally improve composure, and reduce noise.
Shocks - Tokico Trekmasters front and back. It looks like they were discontinued but I found a few places that claim to still have them. If they aren't available, I was thinking OME. The OEM Tokico's are another consideration if the Trekmasters fall through. My current shocks are shot so anything will be a huge improvement.
How long do springs last and how do I know if mine are bad? Even if they "work" a 19 year old spring won't ride like a new one, right?
I like the idea of doing a 5th gen 4Runner rear spring (orange/pink) which would put me about a 1.5" over stock with a firmer spring. I would then want an inch up front so probably OME 880s or 99 talls? Seems like those are the only real options I can find, plus spacers if needed. Seems like everything else rides higher.
Any other options for springs I am not considering that are in the spirit of minimal lift improved ride? I would consider coil overs if they are worth the extra cash for on-road performance.
Bushings:
Many of my bushings are shot. All the aftermarket sets I am finding are polyurethane. Are there any parts that really benefit from being rubber? Seems like body mounting bushings in particular could benefit from being rubber. Steering rack I would liked tightened up so poly there makes sense. The others I am less sure on. The rear control arm bushings, for example, seem like a great place to isolate vibration, but also a way to keep everything firm to begin and provide better performance, overall I would lean rubber though. Sway bars though I think would benefit from poly for my purposes. Has anyone taken a hybrid approach on replacing their bushings?
Diff drop:
If I do a 1-2" lift or so, would I need to do a diff drop?
Front UCA:
Do uniball UCAs provide improved ride quality if I only lift 1-2"? At what point do they become recommended? I am thinking I can skip them, but maybe there is maintenance I should be doing while I am doing other things?
Sway bars:
I was going to do the suspension and bushings first and see if that got me where I want the rig to be. If it was still too loose, then add The Addco one's seem a good upgrade if I go this route.
Sound Deadening:
I have 100 pounds of the stuff ready to install as I take body panels off for stereo work and then eventually the rest of floor. I also need to replace the lock on my rear tailgate (was rear ended a year ago and just finally got a paint matched tailgate), so good time to access that!
Tires:
Going with Highway All-Seasons. Thinking something like Michelin Defenders. I see the 2020 Tacoma Premium 18" comes with them, but those wheels appear to be +35 offset. They are also 7.5" thick wheels (.5" thicker than mine), so another .25" (6.3MM) each side of center. So if I got a 1" (25.4MM) spacer that should get me within 1MM of original interior part of wheel, about 20MM past where the tire currently is. They are 265/60/18 so same height as my current 245/75/16. I found a local deal on a 2020 Tacoma Premium take off I want to grab if this would work. I currently have some unevenly worn, older Toyo All Terrains on it, so this should be a massive upgrade if they fit.
Seats:
I hate the seats in this thing. Still doing research. I think a replacement will go further than a re-foam and new leather. Seeing some BMWs, Audis, Lexuses (Lexi?) being swapped.
Any feedback on all of this would be appreciated.
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