Any way to make the ride softer with my Toytech 2.5" lift?

Brandon1 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-14-2006, 12:12 PM

Ok, I put the lift on my truck and everything is working out fine. I love the look, I love the tires, the quality of the lift, etc. But the ride, with the roads I drive on, could be better. It is not terrible, and I could definatly live with it, but I did not know if there is a way to make the ride a little softer in the front. Shocks?

I dunno about this.
Brandon

DevinSixtySeven · #2 (**permalink**) 09-14-2006, 01:31 PM

the toytec is a nonadjustable spacer, right? does it fit inside the coil pack or on top?

either way, the stiffness is mostly from the new lower control arm angle. the higher it goes, the more the tires have to move laterally for the suspension to compress. thats also why, when you first install them and then put the truck back on the ground, the front is much higher than the back, at least until you move the truck.

if they installed inside the coil pack, it changed the uptravel/downtravel ratio and youre almost out of extension, so the suspension hits full extension pretty hard. you might blow a shock seal, but at least you wont break the upper ball joint...

-s

Brandon1 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-14-2006, 03:35 PM

yeah, they were in the spring pack. Funny that when I was looking for spacer lifts, no one mentioned the problem you talk about. I probably would not have gotten them if that is really the case.

DevinSixtySeven · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2006, 06:32 PM

its a side effect of any coilover lift, regardless the cost, design, manufacturer etc...if the lower arms go down, the ride gets stiffer.

if youre looking for a quality lift kit that doesnt extend out so hard, try the new bilstein 5100 kit...it's about a hundred bucks for a pair of shocks with a slightly longer shaft and a multi-position spring seat, so you can choose the lift height you want and get a little more travel so the ride isnt as harsh.

im adding some comments about this sort of thing to the offroad mod/tech thread but its not really done yet.

-s

Brandon1 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 07:25 AM

I saw those shocks, but they are only 2" lift and mine is 2.5". My rear is already 1.5" higher than the front anyway. I dont want it to get any higher.

cleanb13 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 12:07 PM

The first thing I would do is get rid of that tire/wheel combo. The tires don't have much sidewall and that will cause a rough ride. If you went with 16" or 17" tires/wheels (that weren't low profile) you would feel a night and day difference in the ride.

DevinSixtySeven · #7 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 02:24 PM

lol i didnt even think of that. did you put the tires on with the lift, ie you didnt drive it much if at all with the lift and the old tires before putting on low profile tires? that alone probably contributes a significant amount to the ride quality.

Brandon1 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 02:42 PM

no, I sold my 16" wheels a long time ago.

I cant get different wheels. I worked long and hard for those wheels and I like the big wheel knobby tire look. Definatly not an option.

I could do like everyone tells everybody to do in the first place when looking for a lift. GET COILOVERS!

Canada Jeff · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 03:00 PM

So witch coilovers?

cleanb13 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 04:34 PM

Coilovers are not going to improve the ride!!! Those low profile tires are the whole reason why your truck rides like sh*t. If you don't change the wheels and tires, the ride will stay the same no matter what you use for suspension.

longwoodklon · #11 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleanb13

Coilovers are not going to improve the ride!!! Those low profile tires are the whole reason why your truck rides like sh*t. If you don't change the wheels and tires, the ride will stay the same no matter what you use for suspension.

You're right, tires can make a big difference. I went to 285/75 BFG's and they were MUCH stiffer than my stock tires, yet they had MORE sidewall. But being a LT tire, it's stiffer. But Brandon has large 20's, I mean 6" of sidewall. I'm sure it has some affect, but that's not all he's feeling. I'm sure like Sean said, the lift affects the ride simply because of the arm angles. How about ditching the spacer lift and getting a body lift? I mean, you aren't off roading it.
Cleanb, I notice you list the cornfeds on your 'wish you didn't have list'. Why? (I'm not being sarcastic, I'm curious why you didn't like them. Most people I've seen have loved them)
/Mike

cleanb13 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longwoodklon

You're right, tires can make a big difference. I went to 285/75 BFG's and they were MUCH stiffer than my stock tires, yet they had MORE sidewall. But being a LT tire, it's stiffer. But Brandon has large 20's, I mean 6" of sidewall. I'm sure it has some affect, but that's not all he's feeling. I'm sure like Sean said, the lift affects the ride simply because of the arm angles. How about ditching the spacer lift and getting a body lift? I mean, you aren't off roading it.
Cleanb, I notice you list the cornfeds on your 'wish you didn't have list'. Why? (I'm not being sarcastic, I'm curious why you didn't like them. Most people I've seen have loved them)
/Mike

That was one of the first mods I did to my truck. It made the front suspension way too stiff for my taste. There are two kinds of spacers: one bolts to the top of the factory mounting plate (keeps the factory spring rate or tension and thus keeps the factory ride) and one that replaces the mounting plate (the spacer compresses the spring and increases the spring rate or tension). The tension on the springs was so high, that when going over a speed bump, the suspension would over-extend and make a loud banging sound. After I removed the cornfeds, I bought E-Z lift spacers. Much better ride and achieved the amount of lift that I wanted. If you have a winch, heavy aftermarket bumper, or snow plow, the Cornfeds may not be a bad choice. The coilovers that I have on the truck now are adjustable and give a fantastic ride but are very expensive. If I were you, I would look into the new Bilstein 5100 front shocks with an adjustable lower spring plate. They are pretty inexpensive too.

Brandon1 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:16 PM

well, when I went from stock 16" tires to my now 20's with my other 295/45/20, I did not notice ANY difference in ride. At all. None. So I am not attributing it to that.

I am having the same problem as you tho. Alot of banging sounds when my suspention is over extended. Where did you get your ez-lift spacers? That may would work better. Funny, when I was looking for my lift, alot of posts I read told that the spacers that install on top of the coilover were what was the worst ride.

DevinSixtySeven · #14 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 01:20 AM

a lotta people only have a butt dyno or equivalent for judging their mod characteristics, and limited knowledge of how the suspension actually works, so they may claim something they believe to be true but has little or no basis in fact.

top mounted spacers only carry a risk of over extending the upper ball joint and breaking it, thats only if theyre too long and not run with a limit strap.

really, try the 5100s...theyre the only inexpensive properly designed shock right now for the tundra.

-s

Brandon1 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 07:40 AM

I would love to try the 5100s but I dont want my front end any lower than it has to be. The thread only says they lift up to 2". Mine is 2.5" right now and my rear is still higher than the front.

Could I try the 5100's with my Toytech lift?