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Questions for my 2011 suspension setup

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by decade, Feb 7, 2016.

  1. Feb 7, 2016 at 6:24 PM
    #1
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Hello all,

    Just joined the Tundra family and got a used 2011 SR5 5.7L TRD package. The dealer said it's not lifted but seems it's very high. I attached the pictures of my suspension. It is blue colors. The dealer said it is TRD package.


    I measured the height from the ground to the edge of the fenders. The front is 38.75" and rear is 40.75". By checking with this post, seems like my truck has the SR5 with leveling kit. Can anyone help me to confirm it?

    Questions:
    1) What is leveling kit? What does it do? What is pro and con?

    2) Can I remove the leveling kit and back to the stock height? I know this may sound stupid, but I can't get into lots of underground parking. I haven't tried my own garage yet but seems like it can't. Also, I need to load up motorcycles very often, the lower the truck bed, the less chance I dropped my bikes.

    3) Any aftermarket "adjustable" rear height system that you recommanded? My wife's 4Runner LTD has this function to lower the rear for loading. I assumed the aftermarket allows to lower a few more inches and that would be very helpful.

    Thanks a lot.
     
  2. Feb 7, 2016 at 7:43 PM
    #2
    Nor7

    Nor7 Chilton Manual Guy

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    I don't claim to be an expert but I've dabbled with lifts on a previous truck.

    1) Leveling kit is usually a 1 or 2" lift on the front so the truck sits level. From the factory, the truck's rear is supposed to sit a little higher so that when you are towing a load, the truck will sit level. Pro: Makes the truck look cool. Con: Affects your aerodynamics and your MPG. Also has an effect on your suspension performance.

    2) Yes, you should be able to remove it. Most leveling kits involve a spring spacer. I couldn't tell from your picture if you have a spacer in there (partially blocked view).

    3) Yes, look for a 'Air Bag Suspension' kit or something similar.
     
  3. Feb 7, 2016 at 10:06 PM
    #3
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Can the Air Bag Suspension change the height on the fly? I saw one Tundra with Air Bag suspension, it has 2 valves located at the rear license plate sides. Can release or pump in the air, just like a basketball....
     
  4. Feb 7, 2016 at 10:37 PM
    #4
    Red Freighter

    Red Freighter Red Freighter

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    2013 double cab sr5 trd red
    2014 TRD wheels and TRd pro center caps. Stock 2014 running boards. Stereo gps dvd deck two 12" subs w/amp. Dvd Headrests. Rear air bags with compressor and air tank.
    Welcome, I do have some experience with air bags on my old Taco. No these will not give you the ability to lower your ride. These are only for keeping your truck level with a heavy load. I have my kit and will install soon. If you want to see it search Ebay. Firestone 2445 Ride Rite Air Bag 2007-2015 Toyota Tundra 2WD & 4WD Rear No Drill Firestone Ride Rite Dual Air Bag Inflation Command Compressor System 2168- This is not a recommended set. But I wanted a better compressor.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2016
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  5. Feb 7, 2016 at 10:37 PM
    #5
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Looks like you have a spacer on the front. If it is above the spring then it can be easily removed. If it is in the coil then it depends. Can you get a good pic of the top of the spring where the block is and where it attaches to the top mount?

    Doesn't look like you have a block or add a leaf in the back so it is just the 2" block in the front that you would have to remove to go back to stock.

    Yes those are the trd offroad or rock warrior shocks. No the pro, obviously.
     
  6. Feb 7, 2016 at 10:40 PM
    #6
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Agree with @Red Freighter that add on air bags will not allow you to lower the rear. They are for towing to not let the rear sag.
    To lower the rear you would have to start lowered and add a air bag system that lifts the rear up to ride height. That would take flipping the rear axle over the top of the rear springs and then finding the lifting air bags, which i don't know even exist.
     
  7. Feb 8, 2016 at 2:52 AM
    #7
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Yes looks like it has a silver spacer at the front. Is this part of the TRD package? I mean, does all TRD package has this?

    If I removed the spacer, how about the rear? Will that be the front lower than the rear?
     
  8. Feb 8, 2016 at 2:55 AM
    #8
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    In fact, lowering the front may not serve my purpose....
     
  9. Feb 8, 2016 at 5:02 AM
    #9
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Yep, you have a spacer in the front. Looks to be in the coil. No it is not part of the TRD package. It is aftermarket. You also have a block in the back. Also not stock. Your dealer didn't know what they were talking about.
     
  10. Feb 8, 2016 at 5:05 AM
    #10
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    So removing the spacer and block will back to the stock height? And it should not affect the comfort of driving, right? Do I need to do alignment after that?
     
  11. Feb 8, 2016 at 5:41 AM
    #11
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    I'm not 100% on if you can remove the one from the coil but definitely the rear block. On the front, it just depends like @csuviper said.
     
  12. Feb 8, 2016 at 10:01 AM
    #12
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes remove both and you are back to stock. The front will require a spring compressor to pull the top hat off to get the spacer out.
     
  13. Feb 8, 2016 at 10:04 AM
    #13
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    With the block in the back you should not be level now. You should be 1" or so taller in the rear. Typically 3" front and 1" rear is level. Looks like you have 1.5" front and 1.5" rear.
     
  14. Feb 8, 2016 at 12:28 PM
    #14
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    My current measurement from the ground to the edge of the fenders:

    The front is 38.75" and rear is 40.75".

    I guess, the rear should always a bit higher than the front... as a nature of the truck. (Just my 2cents)
     
  15. Feb 8, 2016 at 12:28 PM
    #15
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Yes, the dealer probably didn't know... so do I... :p
     
  16. Feb 8, 2016 at 12:33 PM
    #16
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Side question, the underneath of my truck looks very rusty and dirty. Should I take it to the shop and do a new underclothing?
     
  17. Feb 8, 2016 at 3:29 PM
    #17
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Can you point out or circle the rear block from my picture? Thanks.
     
  18. Feb 8, 2016 at 3:35 PM
    #18
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    bottom.jpg
    Between the leaf springs and the axle.
     
    decade[QUOTED][OP] and mdavis like this.
  19. Feb 8, 2016 at 4:42 PM
    #19
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    ^^^What he said.
     
  20. Feb 8, 2016 at 5:30 PM
    #20
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. The rust makes it looks like one whole piece... haha~
     
  21. Feb 8, 2016 at 5:36 PM
    #21
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Took more pictures today and I found that the shocks has lots of rust. The front are worse. Do you think it should be replaced soon, or can last until it's leaking or not working?
     
  22. Feb 8, 2016 at 6:09 PM
    #22
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Man, where do you live? That is a lot of rust for a 5 year old truck. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that here in the south!

    But to answer your question, they'll probably last awhile if you can't replace them now. How many miles do you have on the truck?
     
  23. Feb 8, 2016 at 6:28 PM
    #23
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Here in Vancouver, BC. Truck is 2011 with 117,000km. The previous owner lives in Vancouver Island. It's more country side, more offroad, and probably more rain. Yes, we got lots of rain in Vancouver too. Snowing is not often, mostly 1-2 weeks per year with 10-15cm max.

    Thinking that if I'm going to take off the spacer, probably will save some labour to replace the shock at the same time. Of course, if not necessary, better to save up some bucks after spending a big bucks on the truck.
     
  24. Feb 8, 2016 at 6:47 PM
    #24
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    You should probably just replace them since they are looking so poor. The front stock shocks are known to fail with a spacer and that much rust on the weld at the skinny part toward the bottom. Look at replacing with Bilstein 5100s or Old Man Emu (OME). Set them at 0" lift and your good. Will ride better than those I'm sure.
     
  25. Feb 8, 2016 at 6:52 PM
    #25
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Would the Bilstein change the comfort of driving? I'm actually very comfortable with the stock toyota setup. Also because my wife would drive it sometime, need to maintain the level of comfort driving. She's so happy with her stock 05 4Runner.

    I used to have a 06 Tacoma X-Runner and lowered with adjustable shocks. They are too stiff and my wife doesn't like it.
     
  26. Feb 8, 2016 at 6:55 PM
    #26
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    They are great shocks and very popular. With no lift (no preload) they should ride very good. Better than anything you will get from an autozone (unless they happen to actually have the higher end shocks)
     
  27. Feb 8, 2016 at 6:57 PM
    #27
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    If your happy with the ride then go for just removing the spacers. Check each shock as you remove them to see if they are blown. If so then replace.
     
  28. Feb 8, 2016 at 9:12 PM
    #28
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    I would tend to get a new shocks now. Don't want to be surprised suddenly "again".

    I don't think I will lift the truck in the nearly future, so I believe I won't need the height adjustable version. I used this truck for family transportation, occasionally go camping with family (maybe towing a travel trailer in the future), and transporting motorcycles every weeks.

    As for Bilstein 5100s, how would you compare the stiffness (comfort) with the stock shocks in the TRD package?
     
  29. Feb 8, 2016 at 9:38 PM
    #29
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    With a lift the setup is different than running the stock springs at no lift. I dont know how they would compare.
    I have the 3" lift and i would say they ride a little stiffer than stock but absorb the bigger bumps much better.
     
  30. Feb 8, 2016 at 9:40 PM
    #30
    decade

    decade [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. Any other people here with Bilstein could share the experience? Much appreciated.
     

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