Rear Suspension Suggestions - Towing

Hi guys.

I'm looking to upgrade the rear suspension in my 2014 1794 Tundra, specifically looking for something a bit stiffer for towing.

Currently towing a 4700lb travel trailer (dry weight) with a weight distribution hitch and the setup is level and not a lot of bounce. The front suspension is new, however, the rears are older and I feel they are a bit on the soft side now due to their age and mileage. Not looking for a lift either or airbags or add-a-leafs. Hoping that I can pickup say a set of Bilsteins that would be stiffer or perhaps adjustable for the situation? If I have to, would be fine with a set of add-a-leafs but trying to avoid it for no particular reason other than laziness haha.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

Was there any issues with the OEMs? If not just buy a new set

 

Road master active suspension. Had them on both tundras. Easy install and worth the $500

 

OEM seem to be getting a little softer as well passenger side has a shock rattle - similar to what I experienced with a leaking shock/strut cartridge. I haven't gone underneath to check though.

Was wondering if there is an aftermarket solution that is a bit stiffer than the OEM's.

 

OMG this is awesome!!! I just did some quick reading and youtubing and yeah looks like exactly what I am looking for. Thank you so much for the suggestion!!!

 

You said not looking for a lift, the RAS will raise back

 

He can adjust the spread of the coil to an almost non existing lift. It will still give him the stiffness he is looking for. But you are right. Cranking it up with lift the rear end about an inch

 

Thanks for the info @Lake.Life24 and @Hbjeff. Lift is not preferred, however, I can live with an inch lift vs. 3"+.

 

BUMP!!!

Looks like my driver side rear strut is in fact leaking and pretty bad now, so it needs to be replaced.

So back to the original question - any recommendations for an aftermarket replacement that would be stiffer than sock? I will end up ordering the RAS down the line but first things first, and that's to replace the rear struts. Options beside OEM or are OEM the best option?

 

Check out SUMOSPRINGS

 

Bilstein 4600’s are the ticket if stiffer is what you are after OP. These are not to be confused with the Toyota branded Bilstein (TRD OEM yellow/blue shocks) as they are valved differently.

The 4600’s are great for towing and with a loaded bed. However they are not the most comfortable when the truck is unloaded or doesn’t have a trailer attached.

Personally, I would get a suspension aid such as Timbren, Sumospring, etc etc before going to stiffer shocks….unless the truck is under constant load.

 

Why against bags?

I love mine. Infinite adjustability. Easy to install.

 

Well I still need a new strut first....sumo springs can be down the road later on.

 

Thanks for the 4600 recommendation, much appreciated.

 

No reason in particular, just not a fan. Personal preference as I've had them on another Gen2 Tundra and meh.

 

Lots of options depending on your budget. Bilstein 4600/5100s or Eibach truck sport are probably the best value at less than $300 a pair; Fox/King/Icon 2.5” body shock adjustables are going to set you back over $2000 for the pair. Lots of options in between.

My experience has been: stock is too soft, fox 2.0 (the basic ones) are too floaty and feel less controlled loaded, 4600’s are better but not much better than stock, 5100’s are are an improvement but can be a little stiff for those who don’t like a sporty ride, 5160’s offer a little more balance but can handle loads better, Eibachs are soft riding but better controlled than stock or fox 2.0, Dobinson MRA adjustable 2.5” shock is superior to all the others I listed but one at a steep price tag and I’ve never run them completely empty (camper shell and bedslide is “empty” for my truck) or on a stock leaf spring (running an icon 3leaf add a leaf). All the other shocks were used with stock leaf springs with air bags except the 4600s and fox 2.0s.

 

This is seriously one of the two best responses so far, extremely good information from you and @Oey12 - thanks!!!

Like my original post, I'm just looking for something a bit stiffer than stock specifically for towing. And to note, I will not be towing all year round as summer for me is June to September, so I'm really only towing at most half dozen times a year. The remainder of the time, the truck really just sits around.

I will look into the the 5100/5160's then vs the 4600 if the 4600's are just slightly better than stock. Thanks again.

 

I have 2 years of regular use with my 5160’s. Daily driving, some off-road and some travel trailer towing. Nothing at all outlandish. Also I have CB +1’s for better towing stability and reduced bed bounce. Front, 6112’s lowest setting.

Doing it again I would not purchase the 5160’s. Instead I would just use 5100’s, for the cost, purchase 3 and you always have a spare for almost the same cost as 2 5160’s, or, just pay up for a better system rather than throw away items.

One of the 5160’s has failed, purchased a 3 year warranty, so that’s good? Not. Going on 3 weeks to get a replacement. Store has given me every excuse as to why they haven’t received it yet. Missed loading, weather delay, it’s on the truck, nope it’s not on the truck, it’s here, nope, don’t know where the truck is. I’m just hanging and waiting.

Tomorrow I’m ordering 2 5100’s from another shop, 2 days for shipping. Done. Total and complete waste of time for a commodity item.

 

Yea, This.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal, but I do appreciate the feedback re: 5100 vs. 5160's. It's been -33f where I live part of last week and most the week prior, but as I don't drive the truck much during winter, I'm looking on deals within Canada then will pull the trigger. Will def need these replaced before I start towing my trailer again in May.

Good luck and I hope you sort things out sooner than later. Warranty....I've deal with shops who sell you warranty but never fulfill and will find every excuse to not pay out what you purchased. Very sad.

 

Yeah....thanks for pointing out my typo.

 

Bummer to hear that. Mine lasted 100k before one started failing. I wasn’t super gentle on them either. Judging by your pics and the little black donut o ring on the shaft, I’m guessing they might have been bottomed out which led to the failure. I’m not an expert, but I monitored that o ring to make sure I had enough spring to keep from bottoming (I run airbags so no issue adding some extra spring when needed). When I found mine to fail, it didn’t leak fluid all over either.

 

Conclusion,

Shop got a replacement warranty shock in late last week, offered install as well. Sure, makes my life easier. The 5100’s went on back order and it was going to be at least 2 weeks to order and receive delivery. At least the warranty came through on the 5160.

But, the tech installed the shock backwards! I couldn’t believe it. Then, I checked everything he did. The reversed revisor had a 1/4” clearance to the frame shock mount, rookie mistake. Didn’t end there, the bottom of the revisor had cut into my emergency brake cable line because he couldn’t move it up anymore. Wonder why! Had enough, brought my truck to a Toyota dealer, explained things, got the shock checked and reinstalled, report and estimate on the brake cable within a few hours.

Brought the invoice back to the original shop, they lied to my face about everything! The original install was like that, it’s ok that the shock is close to the mount, that’s how we do it, the emergency cable was like that! I had taken pics before and after, had Toyota’s paperwork documenting the neglect. Had Bilstein’s install instructions.

Best part was having customers come over to the order desk listening. It was extremely embarrassing for the tech and manager to have their lies disproven with facts and documented pictures.

I’m getting reimbursed shorty for the work I paid for. The emergency cable, I have resolved that on my own.

Nice to vent and get great feedback from fellow owners. Can’t remember any situation that I may have fully used all the travel, but who knows. I’m chalking that shock failure on Covid manufacturing.

Cheers!

 

Yaaaaa I’d have bent the e-brake cable bracket and called it a day.

 

BUMP.

Just wanted to update. I ended up just going with a set of 4600's as suggested by @Oey12 and they are great especially when towing - thank you for that. In terms of being a bit harsher on road without a load, yeah def a bit stiffer but i like it since I have a tendency to drive the truck harder around corners lol.

Anyway, yeah that's what i went with and it worked for me. Thanks for all the recommendations and suggestions everyone.