Best leveling kit for the roughest roads in America?

Hi
I am a new member to the forum but I have been following and reading posts for quite some time. I know that the Suspension Upgrade/Adjustable Coilovers posts have been beat to death on here. Lots of questions (and answers) on who makes the best kits or who makes the best Coilovers for a softer or smoother ride. I have read many of these and they were helpful but many of the threads were referring to vehicles that spend most of their time on the highway. My situation is a little different. I drive 50-150 miles a day (180 days a year) on some of the roughest lease roads in America. If you have ever been to the Permian or the Delaware (West, TX/SE, New Mexico) you know what I mean! So rough that I believe many would consider it to be “off road” and definitely abusive miles to my truck. I have a 2011 TRD T-Force Tundra with a cheap leveling kit. It’s actually just spacers or blocks above the struts and it utilizes the factory struts and everything. I have had issues with breaking front end components CV joints/boots, Ball Joints, Tie Rods etc. I am wanting to switch out the Leveling kit (Blocks/Spacers) I have now with a good set of Coilovers/Struts/Shocks whatever I need to do to get a decent ride on these Rough Roads and hopefully spare/save some of my front end. I have read that Fox makes Great Coilovers as well as Bilsten and King but for my situation where 80% of my driving is basically “off road” and very abusive to any vehicle what would you guys go with? I welcome any links of items for sale and your help is greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome. I would recommend just going with a straight up coilover system. Possibly also check out the bilstein 6112 offroad kit. i've understood it's a very nice ride on the hwy, but beneficial offroad. i've read people use it since they do some offroading. if you're doing what you're saying you're doing, i'd go straight to a decent offroad kit. possibly take off sway bars to help with articulation if being offroad alot, but be weary of the it having some play while on the roads.

 

Like a 'washboard' road and/or lots of larger rock/depressions in road? What is the fastest you are able to travel (continuous and reasonable)?

 

Yes most sections are washboarded with large 5” rocks and bad potholes everywhere. On some of the better sections of road I am able to travel 20-25mph Most of the roads travel is limited to 10-15Mph unless you come up on a bad spot where you need to slow down to 5mph.

 

Look into ADS 2.5 for the front with ADS and bypass shocks for the rear. You will want to replace the UCA for maximum travel, and articulations. Gonna cost some $$ but well worth the investment for what you are driving. ADS is built similar to King racing shocks. These shocks are built for desert running. King and fox are other good options.
https://arizonadesertshocks.com/product/07-18-toyota-tundra-bolt-in-shocks/

 

You work in the oil patch? I know what you mean I was out that way a few years ago and kept bottoming out our work Suburbans. I can see how driving in those conditions can destroy a vehicle. good luck on getting new suspension.

 

I would look at Old Man Emu, Dobinsons, and Bilstein coil-over suspension replacements for what you describe here. All relatively simple, proven and robust. I wouldn’t go all out on UCA or bypass shocks if it were me. I’d just want something durable, and reliable, that was an improvement over stock. Durable tires, solid suspension setup, and air pressure adjustments will be your true friend in these conditions. Think if you go all out or too tall/big you’ll be more likely to fail. Also would recommend staying under 35” tire diameter and 18” rims for added sidewall and weight reasons. Also some upgraded bump-stops front and rear will payoff. Sounds brutal, but fun at the same time. Good luck.

 

Welcome from NY.
New York roads are the worst/roughest in America.

 

Thank you all.
Right now I am running a 33x12.50 Toyo Open Country A/T on the Stock (20” T-Force Wheels) I have looked at a lot of different Systems but I am easily overwhelmed bc I do not know what works best in any given situation. I don’t mind to Spend the money on a Fox system or King’s but the there just seems to be so many choices and I’m not sure what I need... I mean do I need a Coilovers w Reservoir and if so there seems to be multiple choices, do I need a bypass style? Idk. I have called a few places in my area that install leveling kits and such but I don’t exactly trust them to sell me the best option for my needs over what they can make the most $$$$ off of.

 

Shitty roads in North Central Montana...I installed ToyTec Boss with 1.5 shackles. $1400 made wash board roads disappear and handles the large rocks and holes just fine. I didn’t want to dump $$$$ on the best because of winter road chemicals. 3/1.5 lift stock UCA 305/70/17 on rock Warrior Wheels With slight skid plate trimming.

 

Give these guys a call they can put you in the right direction.

https://www.filthymotorsports.com/king_racing_shocks_s/55.htm

 

@Toytec Lifts will have several options for you to chose from. They specialize in Yota's and a possible forum discount if you mention that you are a member here. Call and ask for Hugo or David.

 

Don’t hurt your head overthinking it. King and fox are both great options. I run ADS like someone else suggested. They are all great brands and you’ll be happy with any choice from those. They all fall into the buy once, cry once category.

 

What psi do you run in your tires when you go down these roads?

King, Fox, ADS, can’t go wrong with any. I’d just go with the reservoir 2.5 coilovers/rear shocks and change out the bump stops to durobumps/superbumps.

 

Go long travel. You can go 100mph and not feel a bump

also X2 on airing down. It would help soften the drive

 

Oh, one more question. How long are these runs of yours? If you’re going 50 miles non stop at high speed then maybe consider larger than 2.5”.

 

Ditch those 20" wheels for 17's

 

45psi

 

I run 30-32psi in all 4 tires. (How long our these runs of yours)??? I’m not exactly sure what you are asking by that but on an average day I will visit 4 well sites. Sometimes they are 10 miles apart sometimes they are 50 miles apart but there is no way I could ever see myself being able to travel at “High Speed” 25-30mph would be the max on a good road and I would be to afraid of tearing up my truck to travel that fast consistently.

 

That is a great idea but unfortunately I just spent $1600 on 20” Tires so it would be at least a year before I would want to think about doing that.

 

Larger than 2.5? Can you elaborate? What would you suggest?

 

I think you’ll be fine with Bilstein 6112 and new bump stops. Change out the wheels to 17’s and air down to 15 psi. Carry a viair 450p to air the tires back up. You’d be surprised what your truck can do. Get a feel for it, have fun, then upgrade when you’re more comfortable.

 

+++on air down and 17" wheels. get rid of those spacers and pick a shock any of the shocks mentioned above.

 

I know so many are saying go to 17's, but if the dirt is anything like the mud we encounter up here in the Alberta oil patch you need to keep the 20's. 18's and 17's just pack in with too much mud. I was able to get 2019 TRD Pro rims from a consultant in the oil patch because from his experience he had to go to 20" rims or else it would lead to failures.

 

Wow... I have never heard that. I never would have thought that larger wheels would work better or worse in the mud. I guess if I had to pick one or the other (better or worse) I would think smaller wheels would be better just bc you could air them down more and have more tire in the mud. That is what you are saying isn’t it?

 

For this much "offroad" driving, you would really benefit from a set of tuned shocks. Not sure if you are loaded down with any additional weight, but thats something that can be taken into consideration when having the shocks tuned. Fox or King tuned shocks would be a great choice. Quality parts, top brands and can be ordered with custom valving. 2.5" shocks front and rear will work just fine. No need to get a 3" diameter shocks. Shoot us a message if you have any questions about Fox or King options!

 

I drive my tundra in a similar way. I put on about 30,000 miles a year in the PNW on logging roads as a Timber Cruiser.
I just had my Ironman Foam Cell Pro suspension system delivered. I'll have it on in a few weeks and will let you know.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/forestry-truck-suspension-ironman-suspension-coming-soon.26714/

 

I have this system. I got it because I wanted endurance! I think this would be a great option for the OP. It has great off road manners! Just don't like the shackles!

 

What don't you like about the shackles?

 

Look at the gap! I don't think that's right. I'm going to shim mine or get another brand.