Suspension question 2006 DC

I want to preface this with I have read through every post I could on here and have been going around and around on this.

I have a 2006 2wd DC that is in need of new shocks. I am about sold on 5100’s and am on a pretty limited budget. My question is does it need new springs in the front? Do they really sag that much over time? The truck has 160k on it but is rust free and everything looks good underneath. Does anyone know the what the stock ride height is on these when they were new?

I don’t really want much lift since I drive it long distances and just put new 265’s on there and don’t want to go bigger. Most shops recommend new springs but I’d rather not go with new springs because they are all 2”-2.5” of lift and I’m only looking for about an inch at most. Mostly I just need new shocks. Thanks for any advice!

 

Yes, springs absolutely will lose tension over time. Doesn't matter if it's rear leafs or front springs, they will lose tension, with load, over time. Especially as the shocks reduce in function and transfer more work to the spring.

At 160k I wouldn't be super worried about it. If you're confident with swapping over the springs, I'd go 5100, re-use the OEM springs, but jump up one circlip from the bottom with those OEM springs to reduce the rake a little bit. I'd expect you to still have a great feeling ride, but the truck will look a little more natural, being one step closer to level ... I think w/2WD DC you'd need to run 4th circlip to get level, but maybe it is the 3rd, I don't remember the "do not use" setting for 2WD specifically, but I can dig up the grid if you need it.

If you really don't want to lift, there are a couple online stores doing 4600s with OEM springs installed.

EDIT: But lets be real ... OME 2883 specifically (on your truck) at the bottom circlip should result in about the same lift as running well-traveled OEM springs at the 2nd or 3rd circlip on 5100s.

 

Thanks Shifty that was my thoughts as well. I actually like a little bit of rake and don’t want to lift since the truck always has dirtbikes or mtn bikes in the back. I asked one of sites about the 4600 with OEM springs and they said the springs are not Toyota but “OEM equivalent moogs” which I don’t know much about besides they are hit or miss on other parts.

 

Gotcha. It may be the case re: Springs

But yeah, other reason I mention using 2nd circlip with the used springs is to compensate for any loss in rebound/tension those 160k miles have caused.

I did edit my post to add one other thought, though.

 

I just installed 5100s on my AC 4WD on the stock springs. You won't be disappointed in the greatly improved ride quality. I used the 3rd circlip on the spring perch per the 5100 instructions. It gave me a little over 1" and leveled the truck front to back. I get that your's is 2WD and DC, but the 5100s are a good, economical improvement, and I've never been disappointed in Bilstein having used them on 5 current and past vehicles.

 

Awesome to hear. How many miles do you have on your truck? I keep going back and forth between new springs or not in case mine are sagging. I think the 5100s and bottom notch with the ome 2883’s may be the ticket. I’m going to try and contact 1st gen off-road and see what they have to say.

 

I have 2006 2WD DC it had 148,000 when I put 5100 on reusing the old springs. I don't remember where I put the circlip, but it's close to level. I now have 162,000 miles on it. Still very happy with the look and the ride. If money is no object, then sure, buy new springs. Like I said, I am still very happy with both the look and the ride 5100s with old springs after 14,000 miles.

It's a bit of a hassle, but if you are not happy with the look, take them back off and move the circlip. I had to move the circlip an extra time before I was happy with the look.

 

awesome any pics of your truck with the way it sits now?

 

I have 87K. I eventually will replace the springs when I decide what I'm going to do with the front (bumper). I also have thoughts of leaving it mostly stock.

 

It's a XSP package so it came with 20" wheels. 5100s front and back original springs and nothing done to rear springs. Don't have many pics of the truck, this is about the best I could do showing the stance.

 

That looks great I may just go this way for now. I really didn’t want to have to go with new tires yet my 265’s only have about 1000 miles on them

 

It'll look fine.

Just to put that in perspective, here's mine on well-worn 265/65r17 with a hair over 2" lift in front, and 5100s out back but no rear lift.

If you go 2nd circlip on your 5100s, you should get about 1.5" less than mine up front, and about 3/4" - 1" less than @sflips, so still a little bit of rake, but a lot less strain on your CVs (so probably no grease slinging). I realize comparing my AC to your DC is probably not apples to apples, but ... at 1.5 less, I'd have a more-natural looking rake.

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Here's mine with 5100s on the 3rd circlip. Nothing but 5100s out back. 265 70 R16. Tires have about 300 miles on them.

 

And putting that in perspective, my last pic is about what you'll probably get on the 4th or top circlip on 5100s. Here is a quick Photoshop lowering roughly -1.5" in the front, so basically 0.5" lift in front alone, which is roughly what you'll get from 2nd circlip on stock springs - and that's what you'll probably see using the 3rd circlip @ATBAV8 just posted while I was tossing this together:

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that looks real good. I think I may only go to the 2nd clip. We are in St Louis for the next few months and the roads here are absolute garbage so I’m looking for the best ride, not much on lift.

 

Just an FYI: Invest in, or rent a really good spring compressor system, and understand how to use it, if you're doing the work yourself. I had one break while I was doing mine, and it ain't no joke. Spooky. Better yet, find a shop with a professional spring compressor and pay them to do the spring transfer. Might save your life.

 

that’s another reason why I was considering the 2884’s or 2883’s. Just get the new springs already put together and swap over. Seems easier than having the truck down and trying to find a shop. The whole kit is a lot cheaper than I was quoted to have a shop swap them over