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1Gen-TundraGeneral discussion forum for the 2000 to 2006 Toyota Tundra.
This is a discussion thread titled "Suspension Upgrade?", within the 1Gen-Tundra forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
I'm looking around for a moderate upgrade to the front suspension on my Tundra. I have a 2000 Limited w/ the TRD package. I've always felt the front end was too soft, even on the highway, and when doing any kind of off-roading the front end hits the bump stops often. I'm thinking of a lift of maybe 1 to 1-1/2" or so, just to level out the truck, and make it a little firmer. I don't do a lot of real serious 4-wheeling, but I do get to some out-of-the-way spots for fishing and camping. I need to balance the off-road stuff with highway driving, and I do tow a boat with it also.
I've already got the Hellwig rear anti-sway bar which has helped the road handling a lot. Looking for something up front which will complement this without making the ride overly stiff.
Any suggestions?
I'm thinking along the lines of the Fabtech Performance coilover set, Sway-a-Way 2" set, or ???
if you want to save money, get a leveling spacer, such as the Tuff Country. They're cost-effective, provide mild lift (2", approx) and stiffen the front-end up a little bit.
If you are willing to spend some money on adjustable coilovers, forget about the rest, and go straight to the donahoes.
there is alot of debate in the handling/susp forum of donahoe vs. SAW, the only conclusive thing i got from it is that both are excellent quality coilovers and both outperform stock by a bunch
personally, i would stay away from fabtech
__________________
05 tundra 4wd
-magnaflow 5x11x22
-donahoe
-camburg uca
Why do you feel the Donohoes are superior? (Just wondering....)
Well, I'm no suspension expert, but give the guys at Wheeler's Offroad a call. Jason helped me out, and he knows way more than I ever could about this stuff.
Go with the King Shocks and some UCA...it will make HUGE difference!!! I do quit a bit of fishing, camping, snowboarding, etc. and yet have not done any towing, but plan to in the near future. I just love to take my truck OFFROAD plus have some goodies too!!!
The biggest question is... what are you interested in spending on this suspension upgrade. This one subject, is SO "subjectionable", it's almost like changing your shorts daily! Depending on what you're looking at spending, it's gonna' GREATLY impact what you end up getting, so keep that in mind, during your decision-making process. You've started off on the "right" foot, by asking questions, which is what I did for the better part of a full year, before I made my decision.
That said, I'm inclinded to agree with TS.com member (helica). Jason at Wheeler's Off-Road is VERY "savy" when it comes to suspension upgrades, be it a Tundra or a Tacoma. I picked his brain quite a bit, before I came to the conclusion that a set of Wheeler's coils was the "best" choice for MY needs, on a minimal 2" lift for my DC. And... I couldn't be MORE PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS!
I did THIS WRITE-UP here at TS.com on the installation of my coils, back in Sept. It might be helpful, if you\'re interested... .
__________________ 2004 SR5 Double Cab 4x4 w/TRD Pkg. Mods to Date:
16" 5 Spoke Brawn Enkei Wheels, Keyless Entry, Line-X Bed Liner, Challenger Running Boards, Husky Floor Liners, Bug Flector II (painted to match), Colegan Bra, Borla Dual (Side-Exit) Exhaust System, 2" Wheeler's Coil Lift, TRD Add-A-Leafs Mods to Come:
265/75/16 BFG A/T's, Possible Mods:
Seat Covers, 3M Clear Bra (hopefully... just cost so friggin' much!)
I'm looking around for a moderate upgrade to the front suspension on my Tundra. I have a 2000 Limited w/ the TRD package. I've always felt the front end was too soft, even on the highway, and when doing any kind of off-roading the front end hits the bump stops often.
I don't know if you have 4WD or not but this is what I did...
I tried the Wheelers coils and they were way to stiff.
I swapped them out for a set of TRD Off-Road coils for a 4WD truck.
The TRD's gave me the lift I wanted and the ride is smooth.
I have HD Bilsteins at all 4 wheels and a Hellwig in the rear.
That's my suspension upgraded.
I don't know if you have 4WD or not but this is what I did...
I tried the Wheelers coils and they were way to stiff.
I swapped them out for a set of TRD Off-Road coils for a 4WD truck.
The TRD's gave me the lift I wanted and the ride is smooth.
I have HD Bilsteins at all 4 wheels and a Hellwig in the rear.
That's my suspension upgraded.
He's the second TS.com member whose opted for the Wheeler's coils on a 2WD Tundra and wasn't happy with the end result. His suggestion of buying a set of "stock" 4WD coils, is a GREAT alternative... IF... you've got a 2WD truck.
In my case however, my DC is 4WD and for whatever crazy reason, it certainly seems that there IS a noticeable difference between 2WD vs. 4WD using these coils?! It seems to have some relationship with regard to front-end "weight" differences. I'm guessing the extra weight added by the 4WD must make the Wheeler's coils, more compliant than with a 2WD model. Although... I was told that Wheeler's "designed" 2 different sets of coils, with each application in mind (i.e. 2WD & 4WD), using respective spring rate ratios?!
In any case, if your truck is 2WD... I'd try what (H20_Man) did with his truck and try to find a set of "stock" 4WD coils. On the other hand... if your truck is 4WD... the Wheeler's coils IMHO, are a GREAT choice/option.
__________________ 2004 SR5 Double Cab 4x4 w/TRD Pkg. Mods to Date:
16" 5 Spoke Brawn Enkei Wheels, Keyless Entry, Line-X Bed Liner, Challenger Running Boards, Husky Floor Liners, Bug Flector II (painted to match), Colegan Bra, Borla Dual (Side-Exit) Exhaust System, 2" Wheeler's Coil Lift, TRD Add-A-Leafs Mods to Come:
265/75/16 BFG A/T's, Possible Mods:
Seat Covers, 3M Clear Bra (hopefully... just cost so friggin' much!)
He's the second TS.com member whose opted for the Wheeler's coils on a 2WD Tundra and wasn't happy with the end result. His suggestion of buying a set of "stock" 4WD coils, is a GREAT alternative... IF... you've got a 2WD truck.
In my case however, my DC is 4WD and for whatever crazy reason, it certainly seems that there IS a noticeable difference between 2WD vs. 4WD using these coils?! It seems to have some relationship with regard to front-end "weight" differences. I'm guessing the extra weight added by the 4WD must make the Wheeler's coils, more compliant than with a 2WD model. Although... I was told that Wheeler's "designed" 2 different sets of coils, with each application in mind (i.e. 2WD & 4WD), using respective spring rate ratios?!
In any case, if your truck is 2WD... I'd try what (H20_Man) did with his truck and try to find a set of "stock" 4WD coils. On the other hand... if your truck is 4WD... the Wheeler's coils IMHO, are a GREAT choice/option.
Just to clarify - my Tundra is a 4WD V8
and I was running an ARB Sahara bar.
Just to clarify - my Tundra is a 4WD V8
and I was running an ARB Sahara bar.
My bad. I thought your truck was 2WD as well. I "think" I understand though. Your truck doesn't have the the TRD package and you got the coils off a truck that had the TRD package. Right?
If that's right, I gotta' ask what kinda' lift (in inches) you got outta' this?! Is your truck an Access Cab or a Double Cab? The reason I ask is... my DC came with the TRD package. Even with the stock TRD coils and shocks, it had the "standard rake" which you see on all stock Tundras! It took the Wheeler's coils to "get" 2 inches of lift in the front, just to come close to leveling it!
Just curious... .
__________________ 2004 SR5 Double Cab 4x4 w/TRD Pkg. Mods to Date:
16" 5 Spoke Brawn Enkei Wheels, Keyless Entry, Line-X Bed Liner, Challenger Running Boards, Husky Floor Liners, Bug Flector II (painted to match), Colegan Bra, Borla Dual (Side-Exit) Exhaust System, 2" Wheeler's Coil Lift, TRD Add-A-Leafs Mods to Come:
265/75/16 BFG A/T's, Possible Mods:
Seat Covers, 3M Clear Bra (hopefully... just cost so friggin' much!)
My bad. I thought your truck was 2WD as well. I "think" I understand though.
Your truck doesn't have the the TRD package and you got the coils off a truck that had the TRD package. Right?
Correct!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TD
If that's right, I gotta' ask what kinda' lift (in inches) you got outta' this?!
Is your truck an Access Cab or a Double Cab?
The reason I ask is... my DC came with the TRD package. Even with the stock TRD coils and shocks, it had the "standard rake" which you see on all stock Tundras!
It took the Wheeler's coils to "get" 2 inches of lift in the front, just to come close to leveling it!
Just curious... .
My truck is a regular cab and the TRD's lifted the front just over one and a half inches.
I still have a very slight rake but this may be the result of my replacement OE leaf springs that have maybe 10K on them.
Before I installed my ARB the Wheelers gave me a 2 1/2" lift.
Keep in mind your DC does position more weight up front, a bit more than the AC and much more than my RC.
Thanks to all for the great responses! Mine is a 4WD Limited with TRD offroad pkg., so I already have the TRD/Bilstein combo. Even with that, I feel the truck should be a little stiffer.
I'll give Wheeler's a call.
Anybody have any knowledge about the Bilstein coilover set from Performance?
Dave (addco2)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TundrastruckDave
He's the second TS.com member whose opted for the Wheeler's coils on a 2WD Tundra and wasn't happy with the end result. His suggestion of buying a set of "stock" 4WD coils, is a GREAT alternative... IF... you've got a 2WD truck.
In my case however, my DC is 4WD and for whatever crazy reason, it certainly seems that there IS a noticeable difference between 2WD vs. 4WD using these coils?! It seems to have some relationship with regard to front-end "weight" differences. I'm guessing the extra weight added by the 4WD must make the Wheeler's coils, more compliant than with a 2WD model. Although... I was told that Wheeler's "designed" 2 different sets of coils, with each application in mind (i.e. 2WD & 4WD), using respective spring rate ratios?!
In any case, if your truck is 2WD... I'd try what (H20_Man) did with his truck and try to find a set of "stock" 4WD coils. On the other hand... if your truck is 4WD... the Wheeler's coils IMHO, are a GREAT choice/option.
Anybody have any knowledge about the Bilstein coilover set from Performance?
Give Jason a call, and hear it for yourself. You may like the Bilstein adjustable coilovers. In my case, I was 80% sure I wanted them, and Jason talked me out of them. They were more expensive, but I am SOOOO happy I got the donahoes.
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Suspension Upgrade?
lol
, and he is always gettin compliments from ladies at school on his truck.
Depending on what you're looking at spending, it's gonna' GREATLY impact what you end up getting, so keep that in mind, during your decision-making process. You've started off on the "right" foot, by asking questions, which is what I did for the better part of a full year, before I made my decision. 
.
It seems to have some relationship with regard to front-end "weight" differences. I'm guessing the extra weight added by the 4WD must make the Wheeler's coils, more compliant than with a 2WD model. Although... I was told that Wheeler's "designed" 2 different sets of coils, with each application in mind (i.e. 2WD & 4WD), using respective spring rate ratios?! 
Linear Mode
