Rethinking suspension

[STAGE 2]

After spending way too much time here reading about various suspension combos I'm rethinking about what I'm looking for. My two biggest concerns are 1) driveline issues such as excessive wear and vibrations (things like this drive me crazy) and 2) functionality (specifically load capacity).

This truck is going to be a semi-daily driver that will see off-road time during the summer. I really would rather stay away from lifting anything to stay away from driveline issues. So essentially what I'd like to do is make improvements to the stock supension without changing the specs. With that in mind I'd like to hear your opinions on what I'm considering.

Base: 07 taco extracab 4x4 trd, 235/85/R16

Front: Donohoe coilovers

I was shying away from coilovers but after reading various reviews as well as the writeup on expeditions west, I'm starting to think they are a better route. Performance wise I have no doubt they are better than stock, however I have 2 concerns. First, how long can I expect these to last? What I don't want to get into is high end performance stuff that doesn't last very long. Second, since I don't want any lift, will setting the coilovers on 0 negate the benefits of having them?

Rear: ?

Here's where I'm stumped. By all accounts, even the TSB fix is crap. I've heard good things about OME, but they raise the truck and some have had vibrations, which I'm not willing to risk.

My main concern is load capacity as at some point I will be putting in a larger main tank which will be 10-20 gallons larger. That equates to an extra 60-120 lbs if fully fueled plus any load that I decide to carry in the bed.

So with that in mind, are there any options that will compensate for the load, but still offer good articulation off road? I dont mind a "truck" ride if I can have the other two qualities. Is this something that is even feasible without lifting the truck or will I have to pick one to compromise on the other?

[heeltoe989]

As for your coil-overs DR are fully re-buildable. Also I've had mine for a couple good Canadian winters and some really good wheeling and I think they get better with time. There rock solid and DR now "ICON" warranty is second to none. If you break them, you should be worrying about other things on your truck :)

As for the Rear, I have OME on a DC long bed, I love them, no vibrations and I used the center hanger bearing bushing kit from OME that is supposed to correct drive line angles and get rid of vibration. I load my truck pretty heavy with camping and off-road gear and don't have any problems at all.

I'm currently looking into ICON chubby bump stops and new ICON upper control arms for my truck. Just to help out a bit more when the going gets tougher.

[flyingwil]

Rear: ?

Here's where I'm stumped. By all accounts, even the TSB fix is crap. I've heard good things about OME, but they raise the truck and some have had vibrations, which I'm not willing to risk.

My main concern is load capacity as at some point I will be putting in a larger main tank which will be 10-20 gallons larger. That equates to an extra 60-120 lbs if fully fueled plus any load that I decide to carry in the bed.

So with that in mind, are there any options that will compensate for the load, but still offer good articulation off road? I dont mind a "truck" ride if I can have the other two qualities. Is this something that is even feasible without lifting the truck or will I have to pick one to compromise on the other?

Deaver Springs... Can't go wrong.

[Grim Reaper]

Donohoe is in jail distributing child porn.

The company was reorganized and bought out. Personally I would stay away from the new company for a little while till this goes to court and make sure the company doesn't get seized.

[heeltoe989]

If you go with deavers, don't even bother with the 10 pack - Race truck only. Even the 12 pack is a bit soft and will flatten out with weight all the time as some people have said. I've had both. 3rd attempt OME Dakar's. Haven't gone back.

You can always talk to Deaver about a custom pack for your application and weight. You might be going into the 13 to 14 pack to suit what your looking for.

[heeltoe989]

Donohoe is in jail distributing child porn.

The company was reorganized and bought out. Personally I would stay away from the new company for a little while till this goes to court and make sure the company doesn't get seized.

Company was bought by former employees and now called ICON, I've dealt with the new guys at ICON and their great and getting there new name back on the self. They also still warranty anything that Donahoe had produced which is nice.

Wouldn't have any problems buying from them. If your at all worried there always OME front shocks and springs

[STAGE 2]

Deaver Springs... Can't go wrong.

Does deaver make a stock height spring that will address load issuse as well as articulate well? From what I've read, deavers a great for off road, but don't hold weight quite well.

[daverami]

From reading posts on different forums, it seems to me that the new gen of Tacomas are very finicky when it comes to rear suspension modifications. Lots of people have zero driveline issues, whether installing Dakars, Deavers, Alcans. On the other hand, same trucks, but lots of driveline issues doing the same. This is with moderate lifts of course. I took off my Alcan 8 leafs because I just couldn't stand dealing with the vibration. It turned out to be less than an 1 1/2 lift anyway. Shims, custom made spacers, didn't work. It really wasn't horrible or anything, but like some, I get kind of anal about stuff like that. Some people cured problems with a one piece driveshaft, others still had problems. I also couldn't help to start worrying about premature wear issues, etc. Anyway, went with the TSB and kept the 5100's from the Alcan lift for shocks. Seems ok, haven't really loaded it down or been offroad much with it yet. I still love the DR coilovers in the front. Rides great, but still, have a slight vibration coming from the right front. All in all, it all points to compromises when we mod our trucks away from the stock setup.

[heeltoe989]

Does deaver make a stock height spring that will address load issuse as well as articulate well? From what I've read, deavers a great for off road, but don't hold weight quite well.

I know that Deaver can build you anything you like. Takes a phone call and sorting out what the needs you have for your truck.

[STAGE 2]

Anyway, went with the TSB and kept the 5100's from the Alcan lift for shocks.

I thought the 5100 were for 1" lift and greater. They still fit on stock trucks?

[daverami]

I thought the 5100 were for 1" lift and greater. They still fit on stock trucks?

I didn't know either, but I called up Wheeler's, where I got them, and they said yes.

[Streakerfreak]

From reading posts on different forums, it seems to me that the new gen of Tacomas are very finicky when it comes to rear suspension modifications. Lots of people have zero driveline issues, whether installing Dakars, Deavers, Alcans. On the other hand, same trucks, but lots of driveline issues doing the same. This is with moderate lifts of course. I took off my Alcan 8 leafs because I just couldn't stand dealing with the vibration. It turned out to be less than an 1 1/2 lift anyway. Shims, custom made spacers, didn't work. It really wasn't horrible or anything, but like some, I get kind of anal about stuff like that. Some people cured problems with a one piece driveshaft, others still had problems. I also couldn't help to start worrying about premature wear issues, etc. Anyway, went with the TSB and kept the 5100's from the Alcan lift for shocks. Seems ok, haven't really loaded it down or been offroad much with it yet. I still love the DR coilovers in the front. Rides great, but still, have a slight vibration coming from the right front. All in all, it all points to compromises when we mod our trucks away from the stock setup.

I find this situation wierd. I have an custom alcan 8 leaf pack and have 3in of lift and Zero driveline problems and Zero vibrations issues. Seems to be a truck by truck thing.

[daverami]

I find this situation wierd. I have an custom alcan 8 leaf pack and have 3in of lift and Zero driveline problems and Zero vibrations issues. Sems to be a truck by truck thing.

I know, it is very bizarre.

[keepontruckin]

You appear to be looking for a more stout, heavy duty suspension, but are considering components that are optimized for off-road racing applications. Two different worlds.

[4Rescue]

Rear: ?

Here's where I'm stumped. By all accounts, even the TSB fix is crap. I've heard good things about OME, but they raise the truck and some have had vibrations, which I'm not willing to risk.

No vibration's caused by my OME lift at all... In fact nothing but smiles caused by my OME lift.

[STAGE 2]

You appear to be looking for a more stout, heavy duty suspension, but are considering components that are optimized for off-road racing applications. Two different worlds.

Which is why I asked about the donahoes. Are they more stout, or just better for racing? From what I've heard they are both.

[STAGE 2]

No vibration's caused by my OME lift at all... In fact nothing but smiles caused by my OME lift.

Thats what I've been hearing here, but over at TTORA just as many have problems. I'm not willing to spend that much money on something that I have a 50/50 shot of hating.

That and the fact that I really don't want to lift the truck at all.

[007]

You could look at getting some Ride Rite air bags from firestone for the rear. It is basically an air bag that helps your springs and shocks deal with extra weight by inflating a rubber cylinder between the axle and frame. You can inflate it to level out the ride height and deflate it when empty. By most accounts it works very well and may be what you need.

I have Dakars on my 01 and they really help the handling, but a heavy load still causes the back to squat lower than the front.(because the front is also lifted) Air bags would stop this.

Remember that TTORA consists of thousands of people, if 5 of them have an issue they post and it seems like a pandemic. There are still thousands doing just fine that don't post so won't hear about it. According to TTORA your ring and pinion is blown, the frame is bent, your tailgate is buckled, and the bed is cracked.

[STAGE 2]

No one here runs donahoes at the stock height?

[heeltoe989]

No one here runs donahoes at the stock height?


I wouldn't feel it would be necessary to buy them if I was going to run them at stock height unless I would an ARB bumper and had to compensate for the extra weight of the bumper and winch. I would just stick with what came with the truck until I had to replace them then I might think about replacing with ICON's or some sort of race coil-over.

[wistacoma]

Just wanted to provide a little current info on Icon. My passenger side Donahoe rear reservoir shock started leaking after several Wisconsin winters and I called Mike Crosby at Icon to see about getting it rebuilt and he informed me it had a lifetime warranty and they would send one out to me as soon as they got them back in stock. When I received the new shock I could send the old one back in the box the new one came in.
Since I am not very patient, I found a dealer who had one in stock and called Mike back. Mike then took over and got the dealer to send me the new shock and I could return my used one to Icon after installation.
They still have great customer service and I would not hesitate to buy from them in the future.

[STAGE 2]

I wouldn't feel it would be necessary to buy them if I was going to run them at stock height unless I would an ARB bumper and had to compensate for the extra weight of the bumper and winch.

Why? Does their performance decrease when they are lowered?

[heeltoe989]

There performance won't decrease. you'll have a better ride than making them stiffer by lifting.

I just don't know of anybody that buys them to leave the truck at stock height. there a much better shock than stock thats for sure, but most people when they look at Icon's are looking to lift or compensate for a bumper and winch.

[Lost Canadian]

No one here runs donahoes at the stock height?
I run them at close to stock height. I purchased them to optimize the suspensions performance during extended rough terrain driving. Nothing makes travel more arduous than shock fade which can contribute to driver fatigue. At stock height you'll still benefit from the huge shock bodies and the extra cooling capacity they provide. I could care less about lift, preferring to keep the center of gravity as low as is possible for the tire size I'm running. For my use they have been great, the only downside is having to rebuild every couple years.

[heeltoe989]

Also if you decide to buy a winch and bumper you can always turn them up a bit to compensate for the added weight on the truck.

In the end their the best choice.

[STAGE 2]

For my use they have been great, the only downside is having to rebuild every couple years.


This is what I wanted to get at. What are the reasons for a rebuild? How often do you need to do it and how much does it cost.

I like the idea of extra performance, but I don't want to have to keep paying for them every 25k especially since they are a grand to start with.

[heeltoe989]

This is what I wanted to get at. What are the reasons for a rebuild? How often do you need to do it and how much does it cost.

I like the idea of extra performance, but I don't want to have to keep paying for them every 25k especially since they are a grand to start with.

2 years, haven't touched mine. you don't need to rebuild them every 2 years unless you intend to use them under sever duty. Like being a chase truck for a Baja 1000 race team.

[Lost Canadian]

I had to rebuild mine after a little more then a year and a half. I lost the seals on the drivers side completely while on a trip through Newfoundland and Labrador. Left nice red shock oil everywhere in my driverside wheel well, and made the ride a little bouncy the rest of the way but hey...

The passanger side seal went soon after. A rebuild didn't cost much and isn't that big of a deal if you do your own install work.

Some people go much longer without a rebuild, I've heard people say they've went 3-4 years.

It just depends on use and perhaps a little luck.

[heeltoe989]

I had to rebuild mine after a little more then a year and a half. I lost the seals on the drivers side completely while on a trip through Newfoundland and Labrador. Left nice red shock oil everywhere in my driverside wheel well, and made the ride a little bouncy the rest of the way but hey...

The passanger side seal went soon after. A rebuild didn't cost much and isn't that big of a deal if you do your own install work.

Some people go much longer without a rebuild, I've heard people say they've went 3-4 years.

It just depends on use and perhaps a little luck.

Very true.

I know after about 6 weeks of owning my first set I had a problem with one of the coil-overs. I called Donahoe at the time and they sent me a new set and I sent th old ones back, no cost.

Great customer service from those guys and the ICON guys are the same, great service.

[STAGE 2]

I had to rebuild mine after a little more then a year and a half. I lost the seals on the drivers side completely while on a trip through Newfoundland and Labrador. Left nice red shock oil everywhere in my driverside wheel well, and made the ride a little bouncy the rest of the way but hey...

The passanger side seal went soon after. A rebuild didn't cost much and isn't that big of a deal if you do your own install work.

Some people go much longer without a rebuild, I've heard people say they've went 3-4 years.

It just depends on use and perhaps a little luck.

So I guess if longevity is what I'm after, a stock setup is better?

[heeltoe989]

So I guess if longevity is what I'm after, a stock setup is better?


I don't really know the answer to that. I broke my TRD front shock and wanted something allot tougher like a race coil-over. I would still choose the ICON's over a stock set-up just for there toughness. I'm sure there are other manufactures of heavy duty shocks with no lift. I know that Old man Emu have really good shocks, but I think they are for lifted applications. you could always look into them to see if they make a good shock for the Tacoma.