Suspension Decision Around the Corner

I am at a point where I have to either invest in a true full suspension kit or stay with current set up (pro comp leveling kit) and just replacing(struts) what I already have under the truck.

I want to see this truck turn over 300K miles(currently 122,436). Seems like I should go ahead and invest in the full kit for a better ride quality plus it will allow me to obtain 4.5" lift for aesthetic purposes. I've been at 3" for far too long. haha

But dang, true suspension kits are high dollar when looking at quality kits.

WDT

 

I’m a little confused - you talk about building suspension and then mention 4.5” of lift. I’m not aware of any suspension upgrades that put that much lift on… most add 2-3”. You want a badass suspension or a bracket lift?

 

@AZBoatHauler I may have confused myself. Ive been reading about this for a few days. Its my understanding and please correct me if I am wrong, certain kits allow for certain adjustments. I am mainly looking at ICON and BDS.

 

My advice is to think about and share what you’d use the truck for (road trips, daily driver, off-road, tow vehicle, etc) then read this thread.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/guide-different-types-of-lifts.546/

 

@Sierradevil Replacing my existing equipment with equal equipment with no improvement in ride or handling. I have read coil overs will be the best $$ to improve ride/handling.

I am absolutely no expert. Just going by what I've read or what I thought I've read.

 

and I thought I searched this forum pretty good. Great thread.

 

@Sierradevil Would be interested in your thoughts on the 6112. Bilstein came on the TRD stock, but my understanding its a bigger tube?

 

3" seems to be the max for reasonable stuff. I don't really like body lifts, but maybe a 1" body on what you have?

 

Sounds like he wants to install an actual lift kit vs a leveling kit.

What size tires are you running and what size do you want to run?

 

@Sierradevil This is a road warrior truck. I love the aggressive "off road" look and never go off road with it. haha. Im that guy.

 

Bracket lift is perfect for mall crawling.

 

I running 35s and thats the biggest I want at this point. I have a leveling kit on the truck now.

 

Got any current pics?

 

Thank you for the advice. That is why i joined this forum.

 

Beautiful truck. If you need new shocks up front and longevity is what you’re after, I’d throw on max’d out ToyTecs or Billy’s and call it good. Then take the money you saved and get the LED headlights and @iHacker harness assuming you drive at night.

 

If you push that any higher, you'll have a bunch of angry forum fellas lol

I'm one of the weirdos that likes to go 8" or more and I currently sit at 7.5" but the 35s are just too small once you get that much lift so 37s are the next stop for me. If you're dead set on more lift, go another 2-3" which will put you in the realm of a 6" kit.

 

Thanks @AZBoatHauler

Funny you say that. Someone else told me about @iHacker and LEDs. I saw them on his truck and thats where he said he purchased them. Not sure Im smart enough to install those. lol. Researching suspension for three days has me feeling at about a 3rd grade level of understanding my own truck. haha

 

I don't think anyone cares how high you lift your truck. Most of the advice here about suspension has to do with function in my experience. For me it's lowest height that allows the biggest tires and most travel, for what you are doing and what's reasonable for you.

 

From what I've seen the general consensus is to stuff the biggest tire you can under 3 or less inches of lift. Simple fact is that most of us do not off road much yet we all upgrade our suspension and tires like we do.

 

Even if you don't off road, bed and cab get pretty high with 6-8" and the high center of gravity is something to consider. Visibility improves a lot though. Even not off road, I still think most are thinking function.

 

Visibility is a huge factor in why I love it. Nothing like sitting in traffic being able to see what's going on ahead. It's also super easy to work on anything underneath the truck as many times I just sit up and reach what I need to. I run both sway bars and I don't take corners going 50...I actually drive more like a grandpa (according to the wife).

I've also hauled plenty of stuff in the bed and pulled a trailer or two. My truck definitely gets used like a truck.

 

It's also safer as long as you keep it upright. Energy involving a collision with another vehicle goes under you and not into you. I'm for it, don't get me wrong, we are all just building trucks for what we like.

 

Not to mention a 5150 whip is more visible to everyone when it sits 6-8" higher

 

You may know, I only have the 3' 5150, and sometimes I lay it horizontal

 

Speaking of laying the whip horizontal, you know that mode where it shoots one light to one side, one light to the other side then proceeds to stack them to each side? I've wondered what it would look like doing that while it's horizontal....

Maybe a bit like this:
https://youtu.be/_MTHCkUpFU8