Suspension Help Please!

[barlowrs]

Hey everyone, first off I’d like to say HI :wavey:, I’m finally registered after hanging around for a while, and this is a GREAT SITE!

I have an 06 Tacoma xcab and am wondering what lift to get for it. I’m planning on building it into an expedition rig :safari-rig:, so I don’t need it to be a crazy rock crawler, or a desert racer, but just be able to hold its own on whatever gets thrown at it. I am also putting on an ARB bumper, winch and other trail armor, so I need a susp setup that can hold the extra weight. I have a free set of 285/75 wheels and tires and hopefully I can use those; I know they will rub, even on a three inch, but I will trim to make them fit.

So the debate is this:

1) D-hoe coilovers, TC UCA, deaver 10 pack, and D-hoe res.

or

2) Toytec lift kit.

or

3) ANY OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS!

I know there is a HUGE difference between the two setups and I realize the D-hoes will be much better, but do you recommend them as necessary or will the toytec be sufficient. I could really use the extra money id save going with toytec, but I don’t want to regret the choice later down some trail....

Any advice you have would be great!

THANKS A LOT GUYS!

[Cabnfever]

Choice #1 is exactly what I'm putting on my 07 DC Tacoma. But only after I install the schrockworks bumper and the Snug Top shell and the Stubbs sliders.

All it takes is MONEY!!

Wish I could offer you good advise about the toytec lift but it was never a serious consideration for me.

[Tucson T4R]

I'm not a Tacoma guru but from a 4Runner perspective the coilovers are high end and the spacers are low end. For general off road use over 4X4 back roads at normal speeds (not dune jumping) OME makes a great suspension upgrade. I assume they alo make a set up for the Tacoma. My OME suspension is outstanding.

[Willman]

Sounds like a great plan so far....

Hands down....option #1 is your alround best option!!! I wouldn't even think twice!!!! I got both and love them to death!

Good luck and keep us posted

:D

[nvprospector]

Like you I looked around for the best option and what you have for option 1 seems to be the choice everyone else along with myself seem to be happy with.

[viter]

choice 1 or Old Man Emu (OME) suspension for a bit lower performance end but a lot of money savings. contact www.trdparts4u.com for a great price and knowledgeable advice. just mention you are a ttora member...
just my 2 cents...

[BogusBlake]

I would not even consider those two on the same planet as far as performance goes. An engineered suspension system (like Donahoe or OME) will be like night and day when compared to a "lift kit".

[LexusAllTerrain]

I'm not a Tacoma guru but from a 4Runner perspective the coilovers are high end and the spacers are low end. For general off road use over 4X4 back roads at normal speeds (not dune jumping) OME makes a great suspension upgrade. I assume they alo make a set up for the Tacoma. My OME suspension is outstanding.


I agree with TucsonT4R, OLD MAN EMU suspension, since your plans are expedition, this is the key word!
OME are at the top of their game on this department. I also had desided to go with a Shrockworks Bumper and winch, however after further thought I do not believe i need those, for my trips and style of driving, suspension, and tires for me!( maybe rock sliders )but thats it!:iagree: :iagree:

[barlowrs]

Hmm ok, i have been looking up info on OME susp.

If i do get this: http://www.trdparts4u.com/PD-OME-TACO-05UPF.aspx?MakeID=1

what else is needed? i assume i will need some UCA, so should i still go with total chaos? also are those coils and front shocks up to the weight of the winch and ARB and everythgin? or do i need to upgrade? haha basically, WHAT DO I BUY:confused:? is that kit sufficient as is, or do i need to change anything?

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Schattenjager]

That is a good setup for a lot of extra gear. The price seems pretty high to me. You might try some of this forums vendors for a better price.

Good Luck!

[LexusAllTerrain]

Tacoma - '05 to Current
3 " Lift Kit
Part#: ARB1063
$1009.00
Consist of:
2 x OME884 Front Coil Springs
(use OME885 Heavy Springs for double cab)
2 x N140S Front Struts
2 X CS047R Rear Leaf Springs
2 x N182 Rear Shocks
1 x FK29 Driveshaft Spacer
4 x U53A U Bolt Sets


All this at Slee.com

[viter]

you do NOT need aftermarket UCA's. You only need them if you want that extra 1/2"-1" of travel for extra performance and possibly extra strength that you would not need anyway unless you plan on desert racing your truck regularly (at least that's all you get on 2001-2004 taco models with aftermarket uca's) but otherwise I think you'll spend that money elsewhere much better.

so my vote is OME with stock uca's!

check various vendors and make sure to ask about shipping cost as it can make a difference with such heavy parts as leaf springs if you have to ship it across the country.

on trdparts4u for example shipping is free plus they include a full set of new toyota leaf pack end bushings that you will need unless you want to reuse your old ones (which can be hard to get out of old leaf springs in 1 piece)...

[Bergger]

you do NOT need aftermarket UCA's. You only need them if you want that extra 1/2"-1" of travel for extra performance and possibly extra strength that you would not need anyway unless you plan on desert racing your truck regularly (at least that's all you get on 2001-2004 taco models with aftermarket uca's) but otherwise I think you'll spend that money elsewhere much better.

so my vote is OME with stock uca's!

check various vendors and make sure to ask about shipping cost as it can make a difference with such heavy parts as leaf springs if you have to ship it across the country.

on trdparts4u for example shipping is free plus they include a full set of new toyota leaf pack end bushings that you will need unless you want to reuse your old ones (which can be hard to get out of old leaf springs in 1 piece)...

:iagree:

You do not need the UCA's unless you want to use the extended travel coil overs. Save the cash on those for something else. The OME is a great set up and I think you'll be happy with it. I have a complete OME set up on the rear of my Tacoma but opted for SAWs up front. I love the set up. I installed it myself and it cost me about $1300 a few years back.

[barlowrs]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all your help! I guess the OME system is my best choice. However, as you said, i don't NEED the UCA unless i want to get a little more height? Well becasue i already have 285/75 tires (Pro comp Xterrain), i don't think they will fit unless i get evey little bit of height i can. And the way i see it, buying UCA would be cheaper than buying a new set of tires.

Does that sound right to you guys? or do you think they would clear without the extra height?

Thanks again!

[Bergger]

The UCA's will NOT give you any additional height. All they do is allow extra wheel travel if used with an extended coil over shock. Donahoe sells two versions of thier coil over. Both are identical except one is "extended" meaning if used with UCA's you will have an additional 1" or so of wheel travel. No extra lift using them. With those tires you may need to do some slight mods to avoid rubbing. Most of us with Tacoma's stick with 265/75 R16 (32"x 10.5) , 255/85 R16 (33"x10.5) or now some are using 235/85 R16 (32"x9.5?). The height on your tires is at the max but the main issue with that tire is the width.

[viter]

as stated above, UCA's do not provide extra height or space for tires to fit in, just extra bit of wheel travel (probably down travel since up travel is limited by factory rubber bump stops, while down travel is limited by the shock) - so your fornt tires will be able to drop down a bit lower at full droop. plus this extra small bit of down travel is only useable if you have the right shock that will droop down that bit lower, like the donahoe extended travel shocks. so in short, do NOT buy uca's unless you are planning on desert racing or just have money to waste...

to clear 33" tires you might have to do some clearancing on the truck. I would suggest checking TTORA for lots of usefull info on this - www.ttora.com.

my suggestion with big tires would be to get the lift and then test where the tires rub at full compression and full steering lock, then get your saw/mallet/etc. out and start clearancing away... ;) unless there is a wheel that will work better (like with a different back spacing)...

[barlowrs]

Hey everyone, THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!

i think i am going to go with the same setup Bergger, the OME system with possible SAW's up front. That will hopefully leave me with some money for other items. Now i jsut need to scrounge all the money together and purchase it. Hopefully i can take car of the installation myself too..haha.

once again, thanks for eveything, this forum is going to be a nice source of information for me, i appriciate it.

[slooowr6]

Hey everyone, THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!

i think i am going to go with the same setup Bergger, the OME system with possible SAW's up front. That will hopefully leave me with some money for other items. Now i jsut need to scrounge all the money together and purchase it. Hopefully i can take car of the installation myself too..haha.

once again, thanks for eveything, this forum is going to be a nice source of information for me, i appriciate it.

One more thing to know before you spend your $. OME rear leaf is great for carrying load, a requirement for exp truck, but it lifts the rear 2 1/2". There are some people with 05+ Taco experience drive shaft vibration after they lift the rear that much, some have no problem at all. You can read more on this on toyotanation there are a lot of post on this topic. If you go with OME rear lift, you need to raise the front to keep the truck level so with the rear at 2 1/2" higher it's normal to lift the front 2 1/2" to balance it out. 2 1/2" is about the highest you want to go without after market UCA. You also need to find a good alignment shop to do front wheel alignment for the front if you lift the front 2 1/2". The stock alignment spec does not apply to a truck with 2 1/2" lift. You truck will run at a position lower in it's suspention travel. Just want you have more info before spend the $$. :wavey:

[Schattenjager]

The stock alignment spec does not apply to a truck with 2 1/2" lift. Your truck will run at a position lower in it's suspention travel. Just want you have more info before you spend the $$. :wavey:
:26_7_2: You just gotta love Expedition Portal.

[slooowr6]

:26_7_2: You just gotta love Expedition Portal.
How's your 235/86/16? I'm 75% leaning getting the 235, 25% want to get the 265/75/16. :p With a 1100lb camper on the back I just can not make up my mind for what tire I'm going to get. On the plus side I should have enough time to figure that out, I only have 6000 miles on stock tires, with thread wear index at 300. I think I should a least get 25k out of them. :REExeSquatsHL1:

[Schattenjager]

Greetings! I really love the 235/85/16s. I was motivated that way by some VERY capable Rovers. They did not have a lot of lift over these same BFG AT's and wound up leaving some pretty “cool” looking rigs behind. Overkill aint always a good thing.
I like the the tall tire with a narrow footprint for may reasons. One of the primary is the weight is almost the same as stock. I am sensitive to mechanical wear from big meats and these guys give me the 32” i was looking for, no extra weight, and the ease of driving a very trackable rig. Moving them to the Tacoma from the Discovery was a stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The lighter Tacoma really rides well on the tires and there is plenty of room for them. Interstate stability is inspiring too...
:luxhello: