1st Gen. Lunch Table - General Discussion

How did the kings perform on the highway? There seems to be very few people running king or fox.

 

Somebody with Kings will chime in I'm sure. Any aftermarket coilover should ride fine on highways, its on streets at low speed where you'll feel a bit more harshness from the linear springs. Stock springs are progressive so you don't feel little bumps, linear springs don't flex for little bumps so your truck will jolt a bit more.

Fox were badly designed for these trucks, I have them, I regret getting them, I cannot recommend them. Unless you plan to run a small skinny tire with minimal backspacing you will need to rethink the reservoir mounts. They also interfere with brake line where it meets the caliper, that is the real problem.

 

You've given me a bit more to think about. I have read some of your past posts on the issues with fox. Has any one confirmed that this is still an issue? Are there any coilover setups with progressive springs? Maybe I should be looking at 5100's and new stock springs for a better ride on long stretches of highway?

 

I’m still on original TRD Heavy Duty Springs from 2002 with the Billybob5100 shocks. Rides very nicely on the highway and street. Setting is at one notch up from bottom most notch. 2 years on the set up and very happy. A great value.

 

What is a billybob5100?

 

Bilstien 5100 shocks. They do well in tow haul, as well.

Whats your budget on your shock job?

 

Oh got ya. I put 5100s and some ome springs in the back of my 4runner. The back of my 4runner does ride harsh especially unloaded. I know that may not be a good comparison to 5100s on this truck though.

I have around 1500 doll hairs set aside at the moment. Currently the truck has some monroe struts up front so if I go with the 5100s I will also need springs from what I have read. The back has new grey kyb shocks.

 

The 5100 do ride firm. I had the KYB prior and they were a nice shock that were softer in ride quality. Try finding some used front coils from junkyard and new KYB or the firmer 5100. That will put you under or on budget depending if you do the labor or others.

 

Someone asked about Fox in the past few months and I think the consensus was that it was still a problem. I wouldn't risk it. I've not seen anyone complain about King though. We have several members running them.

 

Fox has not resolved the issue, they never will because there is very low demand.

If you are just looking for a little bit of lift up front I would definitely go the 5100 route. Your ride won't change much and they are significantly less expensive. For the cost of Fox you could replace 4 sets of 5100s.

If your coils are not rusty or visually damaged I would probably keep them. Or you can look for a set of used TRD coils in the classifieds here for a cheap upgrade.

 

ADS is another highly reputable / customizable coilover option.

 

just ordered a set of 4.56 tacoma differentials from a junkyard for $450. score!

 

I had those monroes and they were awful!

Are you looking for lift and ride quality or just ride quality? You can get Bilstein 5100's and ARB coils in different lengths that will give you lift and ride. I've got a whole spreadsheet worked up so if you let me know what you're shooting for I can share some research. The Bilstein are $240 for both, the coils are $200, new top hats and isolators are $60. Or you can buy them from a few places completely assembled.

You can't go wrong with Kings, but if you're not doing some serious off-roading, they are overkill.

Eibach, Dobinson and OME are also some solid options depending on what you are looking for. I had the OME on my last tundra and was very happy with them, firm in a good way, loved to hit stuff at speed off-road and all around good road manners. (I never towed though). My new truck will get the Bilstein eventually just because everyone here likes them and they are a good bit cheaper than the Old Man EMU.

 

Your spread sheet would act as an objective reference point for people unsure about shocks/lifts etc.

What I’ve found from reading here is much subjectivism on the subject where what is working on one Access Cab may not work on another DC. The other compounded variable is people mixing and matching various components with varying degrees of success.

You should post up your Spread Sheet and it should become a Sticky!

Ballpark Costs can/should be added later as the other thing I’ve found is some people have desires that don’t match the budget $$$. DIY vs. Shop is the other variable.

 

I am looking for maybe 2 inches of lift. This spends most of it's time on pavement but most of my weekend adventures end in washboard or gravel. This won't see any rock crawling I have a TJ and 4runner for those outings. Small bump compliance is pretty important to me on this pickup.

 

To much pressure I'm not ready for prime time.

 

Some might say you're gearing up for a change.

 

Makes sense. Another option to throw into the mix is the Bilstein 4600 with ARB coil. You can get a 2 inch lift and the valving "should" be a bit softer. I say should because lots of things by Bilstein say the valving can be different, but nothing solidly confirmed for our trucks.

You can also go stock Toyota coil so it is digressive and then Bilstein 5100 to get the lift. I have stock coils that I'd be happy to get rid of, but I'm guessing shipping would be stupid expensive. Junkyard could be a really good option there and then you have top hats and isolators.

One more thought, my OME gave me too much lift and I hadn't done the research yet on different coils so I sold them and got the toytec boss coilovers. The boss are very lightly valved and soft, rode so smooth and soft, but too much body lean because they were so soft. I was going to get 700lb springs to try and stiffen them up but ended up selling the truck to my nephew and he loves the way it rides. Toytec sells them with 700lb springs if you ask for it.

 

Did you just......

 

I said "why wouldn't it?"
I don't know. I.assumed it was 00-06?
I can try to find the email receipt

 

Yes... Wait what offer?

 

What's crazy is all the FB guys swear by Fox

 

Are you casting doubt on @Darkness credibility?

 

Never. I doubt the FB people lol

 

If they're first gen maybe they haven't gone off road, or maybe they haven't looked at their brake lines. That's where the real carnage happens.

I've seen three trucks where brake lines got smashed and only one where its damn close but isn't hitting.

 

I told him if he wants it I will send it.

 

Are we referring to the cancerous First Gen Tundras FB group? That page went off the rails this year...