Newbie Suspension Questions, don't shoot

Hi Folks,

My new-to-me '06 AC 4x4 sits kind of ass-down with no load in the back. It has air bags which I haven't aired up, see photo. Should I be having to air them up to keep the truck level even when empty? I found this thread which was interesting but not helpful https://www.tundras.com/threads/air-bags-for-rear-suspension.122217/

Also, the truck has Bilsteins front and back, were these OEM fitted (they don't have visible codes but say "Toyota Bilstein")?

Thanks,
Jon

 

If you haven't yet, read THIS THREAD. Read it all, but maybe spend a little extra time in the suspension section's bullet points.

Airbags should have a little air in them, they shouldn't look like what I see. They should also be plumbed independently, with their own host fill ports, not tied together.

TRD package came with yellow/blue Bilsteins, but the current iteration of the Bilstein 4600 is a popular update, and is also yellow/blue.

Really need more pics of the front suspension to see if the PO used leveling spacers, since you shouldn't be sagging in the ass, period. These trucks are known for being nose-down, and it takes quite a bit to offset the ~1.75" forward rake it had from the factory after some miles.

Can you get us some pics of the front suspension so we can try to gauge if OEM springs are there, if there's a strut spacer, etc. etc.? Would be easier to give GOOD, LEGIT advice if you can.

 

Thanks, Shifty, I had read that thread, it's gold (already got my replacement OEM LBJs!) Here are some pics of the struts, let me know if we need more detail anywhere.

 

Those are 5100s, adjustable for varying degrees of lift. Appear to be on the 4th clip, which is a good amount of lift (more than they recommend for the AC, but same as I'm running). Can't say for sure that your rear is actually low, or if it's just that the front is lifted above the level of the rear.

 

Yep, 5100s and likely on OEM springs. If you see ~¾" wide paint marks anywhere on a couple of the coils, definitely OEM springs.

See those rings below the spring seat? There's a c-clip that's installed on those farther up which holds the cup in place. Like @KNABORES said, it's probably on the 4th clip.

If it were me, I'd compress the spring enough to lift the cup up so you can move the circlip downward to the 2nd notch, shown here with an arrow. It'll lower the front end of the truck about 1", leaving you with roughly 1" of lift over factory. Not only should it ride more comfortably, but it'll also reduce strain on the CV axles and other suspension components, and should leave you pretty close to level, a sportier, less-drastic rake. You can potentially do this without pulling the entire shock, but I'd only attempt if I had a trusty, safe compressor.

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Awesome, thanks @shifty` and @KNABORES . Much appreciated!

 

Bilstein 5100s on the 3rd circlip will give you 1.1" of lift with stock springs on an AC. That should basically make it level front to back, unloaded. Mind you, that's with new 5100s. Yours look fairly old and from the pictures, and potentially leaking. That being said, your results might vary. Might be worth pulling them and installing new.

 

NP, if you need install instructions to familiarize yourself with that strut, or download for your reference, here: https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/bsn-24-261425.pdf

Looks like @ATBAV8 is right and I was confusing access cab results with double cab. Here's the heights they say you can expect with each clip setting for each model, from those instructions. Your access cab is the 2nd column. ½" lift in front will have you roughly 1" lower in front, a nice rake.

Really, you should to check out the lower mount bushing to make sure it's in OK (not smushed/cracking) condition. If it's looking worn, consider replacing the shock. And depending how high you want the front to sit or if you want to go level, there are ample options.

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I believe it was tow package? Cause my truck is NOT a TRD and I had the yellow/blues stock.

 

This may be a case of 'earlier years different from later'. Would need to dig into the features-by-year or the brochures to check.

 

Thanks folks @shifty` and @ATBAV8 . I'm going to put in new 5100s as the current ones are pretty tired, will reduce the lift to 1/2" as suggested.

 

You should drop @memario1214 with HotShot Offroad a line and see what kinda deal he can cut you on a new pair of 5100s up front.

If the tophats and isolators look good, maybe you can get by re-using what's on your current pair, else get the KYB kit (SM 5442).

If you opt instead to go closer to ¾" lift with a new lifted spring on the bottom perch of the 5100, the Old Man Emu 2883 should get you there.

 

New shocks and tophats ordered from HotShot. Thanks for the reco.