Upgrading Truck Suspension, on a budget

[IdahoBeav]

I’ve used the coil compressors before, the kind you get for free at an auto parts store. I’ve done dumber stuff.

There was a video floating around years ago where a guy had a Tacoma on 4 jackstands and put a floor jack beneath the lower control arm to compress the spring. He backed off the top nut and then let the jack down slowly. The LCA went all the way down and the spring completely decompressed. I never tried it, but it looked slick.

 

[Scotto]

About 8 years ago , I had the Bilstein B8 5100's installed in the front and I installed Timber Grove bags in the rear of my 16 Ram 1500. Adjusted the front for roughly 2" additional height. These two additions make it ride like a different truck. Still going strong.

 

[TheCougar]

The next truck… this isn’t the season for that. Just trying to get a little better ride for the next 100k miles.

About 8 years ago , I had the Bilstein B8 5100's installed in the front and I installed Timber Grove bags in the rear of my 16 Ram 1500. Adjusted the front for roughly 2" additional height. These two additions make it ride like a different truck. Still going strong

 

[dtrkyman]

I used the 5100s to eliminate the rake on my grand cherokee, ride was on par with factory, that rig rides really nice.

Airing down off road makes a world of difference in ride, traction and not puncturing a tire!

 

[Fatcamp]

I’ve used the coil compressors before, the kind you get for free at an auto parts store. I’ve done dumber stuff.

I've done a few pairs, not a big deal. But! When I replaced the shocks on my lifted 4 runner that was sketchy. I ended up finding a guy with a press and fittings to do them. My tool couldn't get between coils.

 

[TheLastFrontier]

There was a video floating around years ago where a guy had a Tacoma on 4 jackstands and put a floor jack beneath the lower control arm to compress the spring. He backed off the top nut and then let the jack down slowly. The LCA went all the way down and the spring completely decompressed. I never tried it, but it looked slick.

Can confirm that it works because I used the same method on my 3rd gen Tacoma to swap to a heavier coil and I felt way more safe doing it that way than trying to use spring compressors. Not sure if the Rams have the same setup but if they do then its a pretty easy way to take them apart.

 

[Fatcamp]

There was a video floating around years ago where a guy had a Tacoma on 4 jackstands and put a floor jack beneath the lower control arm to compress the spring. He backed off the top nut and then let the jack down slowly. The LCA went all the way down and the spring completely decompressed. I never tried it, but it looked slick.

I saw that, didn't have the nerve to try.

 

[Thinkingman]

I saw that, didn't have the nerve to try.

Smart.
In re the OP...If you're looking to improve ride quality, using a spring perch to gain lift is going in the opposite direction.
The Toyota crowd loves to use the 5100s for lift but that's for looks, not performance.
Eibach shocks would be my choice.

 

[981kirk]

For what it’s worth I have had several sets of Fox shocks. Tried Icon after riding in a guides truck a couple of seasons in New Mexico on really rough roads. I went with icon on my truck this time and it’s by far the best ride so far.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I've done a few pairs, not a big deal. But! When I replaced the shocks on my lifted 4 runner that was sketchy. I ended up finding a guy with a press and fittings to do them. My tool couldn't get between coils.

I could just barely make em work on my tacoma when I swapped out the coils. Its tight, and kinda a jigsaw puzzle tryin to twist em in there an what not.

Still glad I have them in the bottom of the tool box. Handy to just grab the tool and do what needs done.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Smart.
In re the OP...If you're looking to improve ride quality, using a spring perch to gain lift is going in the opposite direction.
The Toyota crowd loves to use the 5100s for lift but that's for looks, not performance.
Eibach shocks would be my choice.

Why are you continually spreading misinformation on Toyota? The 5100s will accept a longer aftermarket coil, and hockey pucks (spacer lifts) are more popular than spring perches. Even so, spacer lifts are WAY more popular in the full size world than with Tacomas, same with drop bracket lifts.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Nobody is putting spacer blocks on a toyota for ride quality. Just like body lifts and cranked torsion bars. Long as the tires fit..who cares?

Folks run 5100's because they are cheap and work decent enough.

 

[Steve300xcw]

The Toyota crowd loves to use the 5100s for lift but that's for looks, not performance.
Eibach shocks would be my choice.

For a guy with a screen name such as yours. You sure spew a lot of nonsense.

 

[Tourguide]

ANY bilstein shock will be a big change

I’ve got a Ram 1500 with 160k miles. The ride was never great, but it is worse now. I’m saving now to replace the truck in 4-5 years. I don’t like the truck, but I have to admit that other than replacing the Torque Converter, it has been exceptionally reliable. I’d like to improve the ride - it is currently all factory. I’m not against a small lift (2”), but I don’t care all that much. I do some towing/hauling, so keeping some of the rake is desirable. I rode in a buddy’s Rebel and the ride difference was night and day. I didn’t feel every bump in the road and it felt more in contact with the dirt road. I’m considering replacing the suspension to improve the ride until my son takes the truck or I sell it. It’s mostly highway/city, some towing/hauling, and some off road periodically. Any recommendations on a shocks/struts/springs?

 

[TheCougar]

Any icon in particular?

For what it’s worth I have had several sets of Fox shocks. Tried Icon after riding in a guides truck a couple of seasons in New Mexico on really rough roads. I went with icon on my truck this time and it’s by far the best ride so far.

 

[Jason Snyder]

There was a video floating around years ago where a guy had a Tacoma on 4 jackstands and put a floor jack beneath the lower control arm to compress the spring. He backed off the top nut and then let the jack down slowly. The LCA went all the way down and the spring completely decompressed. I never tried it, but it looked slick.

This method is actually quite safe. I have done it. The install can be tricky doing this. You absolutely have to have an extra set of hands to line everything up and have the coil indexed correctly.

 

[Jason Snyder]

OP, Eibach is a good choice. I think they will ride nicer on the road for you than Bilstein.