Best shocks for ride quality?

I purchased my 2003 tundra about a year ago with bilstien 5100s already on it but even with those the front end was a bit lower then the rear and I bought some 33s and being low on cash I threw a spacer lift on the front to level it the rest of the way but now I find the the ride quality is terrrible you feel every bump in the road I’ve read the 5100s are a little stiff and spacer lifts are bad on ride quality so what would be the best route new shocks, new springs, etc? Are there shocks out there that are a little better for ride quality?

 

How did you like it before the spacer? If you want level, go with OME 883/884/885 springs (you’ll need to look up what’s optimal).

Most here would say for comfort go with the Bilstein 4600s but you won’t have it leveled, so it’s up to you to decide.

Just stay away from spacers.

 

I’ll look into new springs, would the 884 fit right on?

 

I’m not the one to ask on that. There are several sites like https://www.1stgenoffroad.com that will give you the info you want or you could wait to hear from others here for advice who have the same model as yours with the OME/Bilstein setup for leveling.

 

It's always a really bad idea to mix spacers and lifts unless you fully understand what you're doing. It can have very undesirable effects.

1st step is to get those fucking spacers out of there before you fuck something expensive up.

2nd step, read the "Suspension, wheel and tires ..." section of this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

 

From what I read ome 884 springs are what I’m looking for but will I need any other parts other than the springs to fit them or are they the same size as the stock springs just taller?

 

First things first, what clip setting were your 5100 set to? How thick of a spacer did you install? How much lift are you looking to achieve? And did you put the 33s on at the same time as the spacer lift?

 

If you installed top spacers, your ride would not change. Now if you're running E rated 33’s with too much pressure, that could dramatically affect your ride.

 

Spacers will impact geometry, thus will impact ride, it won't be negligible. This explains why (see the text I quoted from @des2mtn, then the image I posted for a visual representation). Not trying to 'splain anything, I know you know suspension, I thought same as you until Des opened my eyes and sent me hunting for more info on the suspension design in these trucks.

When you mix spacers and lift components, at least from what I've seen on here, the combo of spacer and lifted spring/strut tends to amplify the lift, for lack of better terms.

Whereas you may get 1.5" lift from a spacer, and 2" lift from a strut, mix the two together and you end up with 4.5" lift (example #'s there). This one was my favorite, where this kid went to a shop who installed Rough Country lifted struts and strut spacers, and he ended up bending up and mangling his shit because he landed with probably 4-5" lift as a result. He probably could've used aftermarket uppers which may've helped a bit to avoid contact, but I'm guessing unless he had a good donor parts truck, he probably spent a fortune fixing what the "shop" fucked up (assuming it actually was a shop that installed that shit, I never believed it).

 

Personally I don’t think 5100’s ride good on any pickup truck. Suspension feel is incredibly subjective, but an old truck is going to ride like an old truck point blank period.

If you want to get it to a have smoother ride you’d need to be on 6112/5160 at bare minimum.

If you want plush and to absolutely eat up everything the recipe for success is aftermarket bumpstops and you need to be looking at 2.5” shocks preferably with adjusters. Just remember the more performance you’re looking for in a shock usually means you’re going to give up road manners.

I’d start with removing the spacer, adjusting the perch for ride height, and then adding bump stops. You can’t lose by doing this and it’s the cheapest way to start. If you’re not happy with the results I’d establish your budget first and then start the search for new shocks and adjust it as necessary. I’m a big believer in money spent on suspension is money well spent.

 

Having a 5100 shock with any degree of lift and then adding a spacer will 100% change the ride. Geometry alone will be suboptimal, but pushing the wheels down puts the front suspension closer to it's droop limit. Every time the suspension needs to cycle down, instead of having room to do so, it hits the limit of droop and suddenly stops, giving a jarring ride. Just like bottoming out the suspension, just in the other direction.

 

Well if I want to be able to go off-road without feeling every pebble I go over but I also want some decent on road performance what’s the best way to go 6112/5160, just new springs on my 5100s and ditch the spacers?

 

Lifts , Springs, and Spacers aside . . . the previous owner of my truck had just put a set of KYB 'Gas-a-Just' shocks on the truck before I bought it. (stock suspension)
I have no complaints with the ride when empty.
With the truck loaded with camping / fishing gear, myself and one other person, and pulling my boat, they seem to work well.
I pull the rig down a 15 mile dirt road slowly cruising and the ride / handling seems acceptable.
When on the highway towing the rig, I don't notice any unusual 'swaying' or excessive 'bouncing'.
When I 'get on it' a little to pass, or find myself on a curvy section of highway, maybe with some wind, the rig still feels safe, and easy to control.

I'd describe the ride as 'soft but sure'.
I can't speak to the life, or longevity of the shocks . . . but I'm at 4 years now with no (or very little) degradation in ride quality.

Hope this helps a little, if not for the OP, maybe for anyone shopping for shocks who wanted feedback on something other than Bilstein.

 

When asking about ride quality or rifle scopes, a young person will usually give a thumbs up and an old person will give a thumbs down.
Stock suspension, Bilstein 4600's improved my ride quality considerably. I put them on both my trucks.

 

currently my truck has leaking rear shocks, and the fronts are white, i dont know the brand p.o put on. it also has overload springs on the back. it still rides ok and rides better when its got weight in the back. Ive had good luck with KYBs on my 4runners, so might go that route with this one.

 

White shocks are rancho or rough country I think; maybe even KYB(?)

 

Rancho is white. If he has Ranchos on the front, guaranteed the shock bushing where it mounts to the LCA is blown out. And everyone I've seen post on here has said they ride harsh as shit.

Rough Country is off-white, almost like a super light grey.

I can't think of any others that are white.

 

Did you put your 6112s on yet? I want to know how they ride

 

Nah, still lack KYB tophats and isolators, so can't assemble them.

 

Yes, 150 to 200 pounds behind the rear axle makes a huge difference.

 

look fairly white to me, and they are harsh

 

100 gallons of heating oil made it ride much nicer