New front Shocks & Leveling Kit, other suspension misc..

I recently took upon the chore of replacing my shocks and struts, I went with Bilstein 4600s and added a 2" leveling spacer on the front. I know spacers are not the preferred method but seeing as this is a 2wd truck that I wouldn't take truly "off-roading" I figured it would be fine.

I also installed new sway bar links and sway bar bushings, the bushings were from "the suspension dudes" and ended up not fitting right at all even though they said it was the right part for the truck. I have Toyota OEM bushings on the way.

I am happy with the leveling and the upper control arm has had no limit issues when driving, although I will probably be replacing them with 2" to 4" lift capable UCAs in the near future.

I have attached pictures of the bad fit bushings, the old quick struts and the newly installed struts.

 

The reason spacers are frowned upon is that the bumpstops wont reach to stop your shock from bottoming out, or coil bind…not sure which happens first. Coil bind isnt too bad, but bottoming out the shock could damage it.

 

Here. Let me post this AGAIN since nobody actually uses intelligence anymore

https://youtu.be/ihErEq6SRrk?si=N1h-4rRi0Btj4bkQ

lift spacers are shit.

 

Watch that video ^^

Ditch the spacers.

And please, if you haven’t, read the sticky “so you just bought a 1st gen” thread, the Suspension section specifically. It’ll warn you about spacers, and more yet, why you never mix spacers and suspension lift. If you’re just leveling w/spacers, you don’t need new UCA, and probably don’t need extended links. And if you intend to add lifted suspension, you NEED to get that spacer out of there.

 

@208Tyler has a good one too
https://youtu.be/IUeMQvYQnS8?si=IWVC82TPFQ_CDp9Y

 

Attached pics OP uploaded in JPG format instead of Apple heic format, in case needed for discussion....

 

Looks like OP has the 23mm sway bar and they sent him the bushings for the 27mm sway bar.

 

you're upper ball joint hates you and is about to leave the chat

 

In addition, if there was ever a case for OEM CV axles, this proves it to be true with great visual reference.

 

YOUR
*grammer police*
That billet spacer should likely give that truck about 2.5" up front
With that spacer AND the front end jacked up, yes the ball joints are at a pretty bad angle but when you put weight on the vehicle, it will get better
The sway bar bushings you got are for the larger sway bar. There are multiple different diameters, a truck like yours got the smaller diameter sway bar. The double cabs got the larger diameter sway bar. Being that your 2003 was pre-double cab, the person selling the bushings should have known you would have a smaller sway bar.

 

@GuiltySpark after seeing the photos Bubba posted, that's seriously fucked up.

You need to get that spacer out of there STAT. What you're seeing is exactly why we tell people never to mix spacers and suspension lift. You're putting so much strain on the knuckle and UBJ, you're asking for a disaster, you don't want to be THIS GUY, he's lucky he only bent his shit up, only needed to spend a few hundred dollars on new knuckles.

The angles on your CV axles are enough to kill them in short order, you can crack the UBJ provision on the knuckle, snap the UBJ, bent the upper part of the knuckle. On the CV axles, 'extended travel' axles won't help. Maybe if you spend $800/ea+ on the higher-end TrakMotives they'll hold up.

Listen to the advice on here. Don't fall into the trap that you "know better" or "I'm not hucking it, so it's OK", or "it's only 2WD/street, no problem". You're dead wrong, and asking for an accident.

If someone did that work for you, stop going to them, this is all basic shit they should know. If you did the work, pull that spacer, and let's use this thread to talk about how to correct your shit.

 

Touche'


Also it's not so much about the truck at static ride height. It's about when he goes over any bumps.

 

Yeah, i agree, that is a tall spacer for sure, like i said probably good for +2.5" up front. Definitely too high for me.

 

https://youtu.be/_yFgxJCZSVs?si=7dxx-RxUbtCtfAU4

is this a setup?

 

Why are people shaped like that

 

His UCA is basically sitting at the same position mine are at full droop. HE may have all of an inch of downward travel. Those 4600s are going to pop like a grape in no time flat.

 

I just got my truck back today and if you want a Cadillac ride, I went with 5100s on the bottom clip with dobinson springs. Got about 2” and it ride incredible

 

I’m looking at new coil overs and similar set ups to what you did. I’m looking to lift about 2” as well. My friend’s GX470 has higher end Dobinson stuff and it rides great. Could you compare the ride now vs OEM? What did you have before?

 

Thanks for the information! I will keep that in mind, thankfully there are no major bumps on my commute to work so I have a little time to either get taller bump stops or remove the spacers.

 

I appreciate all the information, and I am posting on this forum because I absolutely do not "know better" lol. Thankfully it is 2wd so I am not worried about CV axles. Also after I put the weight of the vehicle back on the suspension the angle of the UBJ was not too concerning, and I have not felt any knocking or bottoming out of the shocks.

However, due to the very strong feedback on this post I will probably be removing the spacers and just riding stock height with the new 4600s. In the very far future (I imagine these new Bilsteins will last a good while.) I may look into lifting it slightly the proper way.

Also I'm not sure what you mean by mix spacers and suspension lift, I thought the 4600s were OEM height?

 

Insightful video, but try not to confuse intelligence with knowledge, I'm sure new DIYers or any DIYers learn from experience and feedback. I read quite a few posts on this forum and others that a 2" spacer lift would not be significant enough to interfere with the UBJ or shock performance. I am always open to learning and definitely not an expert.

 

Yea I could tell almost immediately that they were not the right ones when I was putting them on, I have OEM bushings on the way from Toyota and I made sure to match the part number (48815-AF021) that was on my original bushing.

Also the originals have a big "24" on them, would there be a 24mm version of the sway bar?

 

You're correct, I was misremembering. Should be 24mm but you can always take a digital caliper to your sway bar to confirm. The earlier trucks have a smaller sway bar, while the later trucks have a 27mm and the Sequoias have a 28mm.

You could get spacers for the bumpstops themselves, but I'd echo the sentiment of ditching the coilover spacers all together.

 

Also, slightly (but not really) off topic. When I was replacing the bushings, I noticed that the passenger side bracket and frame area were considerably more rusted than the driver's side. I was a bit thrown off until I realized that the condensate drain for the A/C is located directly above it. So, my next minor mod will probably be to add a tube to reroute the dripping.

 

The video literally shows you why a 2" space IS significant enough to interfere with shock performance.

the first HARD lesson I learned when I started working on cars. The cheaper the modification. The more suspicious you should be of it.

 

Yea the stock shocks were toast when I got the truck it had 158k miles. I swapped to 5100’s at the second clip with the stock springs. Got a little less than 1” of lift. They rode well but a little stiffer than stock. Then I went with 5100’s and the softer dobinson springs. They are the c59-300 with 5100’s at the bottom clip. They honestly ride so nice. More plush than the stock springs with second clip. Not as bouncy as the stock setup (probably due to the stock shocks being toast).

springs and shocks assembled and shipped from 1st gen off-road were $860. Pictures are hard to see but I have the slightest rake still by maybe 1/4-1/2”. I can measure later. It came out perfect to me.

 

Maybe you can see the rake here

 

Great thank you for input. I also prefer a slight rake. What leaf spring and shock do you have on your rear?