1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

1st Gen, New Truck Suspension Advice

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Can Can, Dec 3, 2020.

  1. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:35 PM
    #1
    Can Can

    Can Can [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54164
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Hey Everyone!

    I recently purchased my first Tundra. It's a 2004 TRD SR5 with 119,000 miles, it has a ARB front deluxe bumper, 5in tuff country lift (I think its 5in), with rancho quick lift front struts (photo attached). Right now I need new struts as the old ones have failed and are super squeaky every time I go over any depressions/bumps.


    I am looking for advice and have a few questions. First, I took the truck to the mechanic a few weeks ago and he pointed out that when the truck is fully lifted in the air, the upper control arms come in contact and rub the coils of the front struts. Is this because the old owner put the quick lift Rancho struts (I think 2”+ lift) in, or is it some other issue with the overall lift? Could I run something like the Eibach 2.5in struts or OME front coilovers without problems, or do I need to run OEM specific ride height? I am having troubles finding quality struts that are at OEM height besides the bilstein 5100 and 6112. Also, would it be a bad idea to use stock OEM struts or bilstein 4600?


    I am under somewhat of a budget, would like to spend under the $700 range if possible. I have been looking at pretty much all struts (bilstein 5100 & 6112, Eibach, fox, OME, KYB, etc…). This truck is a daily driver and it goes off road a little bit but not a ton. However, it would be nice to have a higher quality strut as I snowmobile a lot and getting to the trailhead can be a little bumpy sometimes. What would you guys suggest? I am feeling a tad overwhelmed and I’m maybe looking at too many options.


    Sorry for the dang novel I wrote, but thank you for reading this far and thanks in advance for any advice!
     
    YardBird and bassman417 like this.
  2. Dec 3, 2020 at 10:33 PM
    #2
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2019
    Member:
    #24572
    Messages:
    7,534
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jonesy
    Vehicle:
    2005 RCLB
    American Thunder Cat Back ~ Retrax Pro ~ Toyota Bed Mat ~ OEM Split Spoke Wheels
  3. Dec 3, 2020 at 10:35 PM
    #3
    zgurrola21

    zgurrola21 New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2020
    Member:
    #45880
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zyan
    Vehicle:
    2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD OFF-ROAD
    Usually struts don’t fail with that type of mileage, you should Invest into good quality strut and shocks such as bilsteins that come with adjustable ride height, coil overs is fine as well. I bought bilstein 6112s that also includes new struts and when I put my old ones and new ones side by side, the new struts were longer. There shouldn’t be a problem if the uca come into contact with the struts, mine would come into contact as well. In my opinion I would ditch that lift and either go back to stock and get a set up a 3 inch lift or get the RCD suspension lift kit that can do 4-6 inch of lift, the reason for ditching that specific lift is because those ball joint spacers will fail eventually since it’s poorly designed, you should’ve gotten one where the knuckle is longer instead of the spacer, but of course if you want to keep it it’s totally fine, I just wish they could’ve done a longer knuckle instead of using a ball joint spacer. Truck looks great btw welcome to the tundra family, best trucks out there period
     
    Can Can[OP] likes this.
  4. Dec 3, 2020 at 10:37 PM
    #4
    zgurrola21

    zgurrola21 New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2020
    Member:
    #45880
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zyan
    Vehicle:
    2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD OFF-ROAD
    I mean no hate about the current lift you have, you can keep it like that it’s totally fine, it’s just my opinion on it. :thumbsup:
     
  5. Dec 4, 2020 at 5:00 AM
    #5
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    $700 budget equals Billy 5100’s and you DIY.
     
    Stuck in the '00s likes this.
  6. Dec 4, 2020 at 6:22 AM
    #6
    04DCTundraMan

    04DCTundraMan Crimedog McGriff

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2020
    Member:
    #47489
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    2004 Salsa Red Tundra Limited DC
    Sony Head Unit, Pioneer Speakers, Back up camera, Blacked out Emblems, SPC Control Arms, OME 2.5" front lift, 1.5" rear spacer, Flowmaster Super 44 muffler, LineX bedliner
    I don’t have a front bumper similar to that, but someone who does may be able to answer better. Would the heavier front bumper make your struts fail sooner?? That bumper looks like it’s 1000lbs lol
     
    Stuck in the '00s likes this.
  7. Dec 4, 2020 at 6:24 AM
    #7
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
  8. Dec 4, 2020 at 7:17 AM
    #8
    Can Can

    Can Can [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54164
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Yeah not super excited about the lift that is on the truck. It is just what came with it when I bought it. If I were to lower the lift and go to a 3in would my tires (285/75R16) still fit without rub or anything? Thank you for the info!! Love this site already!
     
  9. Dec 4, 2020 at 7:25 AM
    #9
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    They will fit. I have 5100 on the setting one notch up from the lowest. They rub slightly on the frame when pulling into tight parking spots. Been on these 285/75/r16 size tires since 2003.
     
  10. Dec 4, 2020 at 7:28 AM
    #10
    Gmillz85

    Gmillz85 Ski Bum Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2019
    Member:
    #37144
    Messages:
    97
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    greg
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2004 Salsa Red AC 4x4 Pro Edition
    She's a Pro
    You'll fit those 33's no problem. I run a 285/75/16 on a -12et, 2" lift, zero rub issues, no trimming or BFH needed.
     
  11. Dec 4, 2020 at 11:50 AM
    #11
    zgurrola21

    zgurrola21 New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2020
    Member:
    #45880
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zyan
    Vehicle:
    2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD OFF-ROAD
    Yes they can fit that’s what I have on right now, they only rub when I fully turn since the tires are wide but they don’t rub on the wheel well or anything just to the frame when full turn
     
  12. Dec 4, 2020 at 11:51 AM
    #12
    zgurrola21

    zgurrola21 New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2020
    Member:
    #45880
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zyan
    Vehicle:
    2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD OFF-ROAD
    Make sure to get -12 offset and 4.5 backspacing or less
     
  13. Dec 5, 2020 at 2:37 PM
    #13
    peanut

    peanut making uneconomical choices about my truck

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2020
    Member:
    #51249
    Messages:
    183
    Vehicle:
    2001 Tundra 4x4 V8 Access cab 222k miles
    From my recollection of the tuff country manual its a 12 hr job for a pro with a lift to put that lift in. Might be the same to take it out. Roughly the same height one came on the truck I have now.

    Does yours have the tall knuckles or does it use the stock knuckles with the upper ball joint spacer? They have install manuals available on their site for the lifts. Maybe you could learn more about what they recommend.

    The tech person I spoke with at Tuff Country said the lifts are designed to use stock height front shocks and coilovers and longer rear shocks. There is a front shock spacer in the lift kit. It may be that the rubbing you see is from the too long front shocks.

    The rear tuff country shocks that are the right length are $52/side here: https://www.suspensionconnection.com/61262t1.html so maybe you can find a measurement for them to ensure you're getting the right height new ones if you don't go for those.

    This shows the spacer at the top of the shock and the tall steering knuckle to the left:

    IMG_5165.jpg

    (yes I know the top bushing is shot. its gonna get fixed one day)
     
  14. Dec 6, 2020 at 1:56 PM
    #14
    Hi06silver

    Hi06silver Fat. Thumbs.

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2018
    Member:
    #22498
    Messages:
    874
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Vehicle:
    2006 DC 4x4 Waltrip
    5 inch TC Lift. Icon 2.5 Ext. travel coilovers- Icon Resi- shocks w/Firestrone air-ride 285/75/17 Toyo OC Ext. FN Overlander wheels Retrofit Projectors Kenwood H/U Natika Back-up camera
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2020
  15. Dec 24, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #15
    Can Can

    Can Can [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54164
    Messages:
    55
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes I do have the strut spacers and not the UBJ spacer.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top