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Looking for advices on upgrading suspension...

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015.

  1. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:22 PM
    #1
    guy_ak

    #1
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    Hi,

    I've got a 2004 4x4 TRD with winter & towing package. Runs great and had no problems with it, but the shocks are at end-of-life.
    I haul my own water (1000lbs per load) on rough Alaskan roads on a regular basis. I'm still on the original suspension and it's not unusual to bottom out on bumps in the road with that kind of load.
    What should I upgrade to, in terms of suspension, to make it ride better?
    I'm willing to pay the price on improvement, but I don't want to spend a fortune either.
    Thanks!

    Guy
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #1
  2. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:32 PM
    #2
    Black Wolf

    #2
    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Black Wolf, Dec 21, 2015
    #2
    guy_ak[OP] likes this.
  3. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:37 PM
    #3
    Airbagged

    #3
    Airbagged New Member

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    2015 Toyota Tundra TRD off road DC
    Camburg UCA Fox 2.5 front Fox 2.0 rear Timbren bump stops 20" wheels Coachbuilders shackles Coachbuilders tie rod ends 46 gallon transfer flow tank Flush bed cover Billet grill LED light bar front Led reverse lights TRD sway bar rear TRD cold air intake Locker down consol safe Towing mirrors Fender flares Magnaflow exhaust TRD shift knob Magnum running boards Paracord wrapped grab handles And more
    Sounds like you would benefit from some Timbren load assist bump stops.
    As for the rest of the suspension, when it comes to quality you get what you pay for big time when it comes to suspension!
     
    Airbagged, Dec 21, 2015
    #3
    guy_ak[OP] likes this.
  4. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:43 PM
    #4
    guy_ak

    #4
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
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    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    Hi Matt,

    Thanks for the reply.
    Is it necessary for me to lift it? I was just thinking about reinforcing the suspension (springs or shocks or both). Or is part of the reinforcement to lift it?
    Sorry, I'm totally new at this.

    Guy
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #4
  5. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:45 PM
    #5
    Black Wolf

    #5
    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    No need to lift it. A small lift certainly couldn't hurt. Check out Alaska 4 Wheel Drive on Old Seward highway in Anchorage. They have set up a lot of local 4wheelers's rigs. They know what you are up against with those "pesky" roads you have to travel
    on up there. I had to travel a few up there myself and they can be bone jarring. Stock suspensions can get eaten alive after a while.
    http://www.alaska4wheeldrive.com/Alaska_4-Wheel_Drive/Welcome.html
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2015
    Black Wolf, Dec 21, 2015
    #5
  6. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:49 PM
    #6
    guy_ak

    #6
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
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    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    Hi Dan,

    Thanks for your reply.
    I like this idea because of simplicity and price, but will that be sufficient, or should I get some heavier duty shocks as well?
    What about air bags. Don't know much about them, but someone mentioned it to me.
    Thanks,

    Guy
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #6
  7. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:51 PM
    #7
    guy_ak

    #7
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    I'll definitely check them out. It just so happens that I'm heading down to Anchortown, but of course it's going to be close due to Holidays. I'll try calling them tomorrow. Thanks!
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #7
  8. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:56 PM
    #8
    Airbagged

    #8
    Airbagged New Member

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    2015 Toyota Tundra TRD off road DC
    Camburg UCA Fox 2.5 front Fox 2.0 rear Timbren bump stops 20" wheels Coachbuilders shackles Coachbuilders tie rod ends 46 gallon transfer flow tank Flush bed cover Billet grill LED light bar front Led reverse lights TRD sway bar rear TRD cold air intake Locker down consol safe Towing mirrors Fender flares Magnaflow exhaust TRD shift knob Magnum running boards Paracord wrapped grab handles And more
    Heavy shocks are going to absorb bumps better, but aren't going to carry the load any better. The weight is supported by the coil springs in the front and the leaf springs in the rear. Upgrading those items can increase load capacity.
    The air bags for the rear are a great product to use to carry more weight, but require more maintanence than a Timbren setup.
     
    Airbagged, Dec 21, 2015
    #8
  9. Dec 21, 2015 at 6:57 PM
    #9
    Black Wolf

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    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Definitely check them out if you can Guy. They even work on Anchorage PD/FD vehicles too. Everybody in town knows them. They will treat you right. Hopefully they are open. If you have time, go to the Bear Tooth Cinema and Pub. You probably already know about it.
     
    Black Wolf, Dec 21, 2015
    #9
  10. Dec 21, 2015 at 7:02 PM
    #10
    guy_ak

    #10
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Fairbanks, AK
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    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    I don't think that I ever go through Anchorage without visiting Moose's Tooth :cheers: Love that place!
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #10
    Black Wolf[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Dec 21, 2015 at 7:06 PM
    #11
    Black Wolf

    #11
    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Very very good craft brewskis and I loved the pizza. Last movie I saw there was Sherlock Holmes 2. We froze our asses off waiting in line before they let us in. Was worth it..:headbang:
     
    Black Wolf, Dec 21, 2015
    #11
    guy_ak[OP] likes this.
  12. Dec 21, 2015 at 7:07 PM
    #12
    guy_ak

    #12
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    Also, I'm wondering how well these will perform in extreme cold conditions? Rubber tends to get really stiff below -20 or -30F. Maybe I'll call them, they should know.
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #12
  13. Dec 21, 2015 at 7:12 PM
    #13
    Black Wolf

    #13
    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Definitely call them. They live and drive in the same conditions as you. Who else would know better? (By the way Mooses Tooth Grill and sister Bear Tooth TheatrePub pizza is ranked #3 in the USA):http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/mooses-tooth-makes-no-3-in-nationwide-pizza-rankings/34423492
     
    Black Wolf, Dec 21, 2015
    #13
  14. Dec 21, 2015 at 7:15 PM
    #14
    Airbagged

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    Airbagged New Member

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    2015 Toyota Tundra TRD off road DC
    Camburg UCA Fox 2.5 front Fox 2.0 rear Timbren bump stops 20" wheels Coachbuilders shackles Coachbuilders tie rod ends 46 gallon transfer flow tank Flush bed cover Billet grill LED light bar front Led reverse lights TRD sway bar rear TRD cold air intake Locker down consol safe Towing mirrors Fender flares Magnaflow exhaust TRD shift knob Magnum running boards Paracord wrapped grab handles And more
    That's a question you should definitely ask them, I'm sure they would know because they also make bump stops for the front for those that add the weight of a snow plow to the front.
     
    Airbagged, Dec 21, 2015
    #14
    guy_ak[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Dec 21, 2015 at 7:15 PM
    #15
    guy_ak

    #15
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
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    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #15
  16. Dec 21, 2015 at 10:49 PM
    #16
    csuviper

    #16
    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Brian
    Broomfield, CO
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    2019 TRD Sport CM 5.7L 4X4
    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    Rear leafs may be wore out. A custom leaf spring pack that is built specifically for the added rear load would help a lot. One company I know that makes custom is Alcan. They are in grand junction,co.

    No need to actually lift unless you want larger tires to fit to help with the rough roads.

    If you are hitting the front bump stops then the front spring is wore out. Get a new set of Coilovers. No need for the more expensive adjustable ones unless you want the lift. Look at Bilstein or Old Man Emu.
     
    csuviper, Dec 21, 2015
    #16
    Black Wolf likes this.
  17. Dec 21, 2015 at 11:05 PM
    #17
    guy_ak

    #17
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D

    Hi Brian,

    Nope, don't really want bigger ($$$) tires on this truck, so no lift, just stronger suspension than original.
    I really don't think that I'm hitting the front bumper, just the rear ones when I carry water in the back.
    But, I'm pretty sure that all the shocks (never been replaced since I bought the truck new) are worn out and need replacing.
    So, in addition to a possible new leaf spring kit, I would like some stronger shocks to replace the original ones.
    I'm assuming that the coilovers that everyone is talking about are the shocks with the spring around them? Those go only on the front, is that correct? Then non-spring loaded shocks on the back? Sorry, but totally new at this.
    Thanks!

    Guy
     
    guy_ak, Dec 21, 2015
    #17
  18. Dec 22, 2015 at 7:45 AM
    #18
    csuviper

    #18
    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    You are correct. The front suspension consists of the coilover which is a spring/coil around a shock. You are probably ok on the front but a new shock here would be good. You can buy them without the spring and then swap the spring to the new one. If you have never done this before and are not very mechanically inclined then i would have a shop do the swap. Can be dangerous as you have to compress the spring. Also requires you to buy or rent spring compressors.

    The rear suspension consists of the leaf spring and shock. If you are hitting the bump stops it is probably because of the leaf springs. That much weight in the back with stock old springs.

    Call Alcan to get their pricing for custom pack. They will ask you stock height or lifted, how much weight you typically carry in the back, and various other questions to determine the leaf spring size. Typically around $500. I had them on my 07 Tacoma. http://www.alcanspring.com/
     
    csuviper, Dec 22, 2015
    #18
  19. Dec 22, 2015 at 10:22 AM
    #19
    guy_ak

    #19
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D

    Hi Brian,

    Thanks!
    I am mechanically inclined and have replaced those before (friend's car), so I have rented the tool. I just don't have much knowledge about what to buy if it's not stock.
    Anyway, I've really appreciated the clear answer. I will now call those various places that people pointed to me and see what I can come up with for a reasonable price.
    Happy Holidays to you and family,

    Guy
     
    guy_ak, Dec 22, 2015
    #19
  20. Dec 22, 2015 at 6:33 PM
    #20
    csuviper

    #20
    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    Look at Toytec.com as well.
    Just don't go with off brand shocks from a auto parts store.
     
    csuviper, Dec 22, 2015
    #20
    guy_ak[OP] likes this.
  21. Dec 22, 2015 at 7:57 PM
    #21
    guy_ak

    #21
    guy_ak [OP] New Member

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    Guy
    Fairbanks, AK
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tundra 4x4, TRD, winter and towing package
    A few scratches and small bumps here and there :D

    Hi Matt,

    Just got off the phone with Kelly at AK 4wd. Nice people.
    Suggested air-bags and Rancho 9000 all around. If I do the work myself, it would come out to roughly $1000
    Funny thing, when I called, he said: "I know, Matt called me" :D
    News travel fast!

    Guy
     
    guy_ak, Dec 22, 2015
    #21
    rons23 and tat2ude39 like this.
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