Coil Spring and Shock Selection Help (1 Viewer)

[Jayco80]

New member and 1st post so go easy on me. I recently sold my 100 series and got this 80 in its place. It's a 3x locked 97 model. From research on others posts I've concluded it has a 2" OME medium suspension. It has 1" spacers on the front and still "sags" down in the front. It also rides comparable to a log wagon. I don't think the poor ride is the fault of the springs as much as the shocks so my thoughts (before yalls input) is to change the front springs (in order to lose the spacers) and replace all 4 shocks. My question is what springs and shocks are going to yield me a good ride on the road and still be capable offload.

Primarily it's driven on the road but I do the occasional off-road. The offroading it sees is primarily gravel trail (national forest type). Not exactly good enough to be called a gravel road but not bad enough to be considered challenging terrain. I won't be doing any overlanding so other than a full spare in rear there won't be any added weight.

Years ago I built several Jeep TJ's with long arms and a huge amount of suspension travel so I am pretty decent with spring rates and understanding geometrics. The confusion I have is from all the different types and uses of these rigs determine different companies and products. What are yalls suggestions? In a nut shell, I want my cake and eat it too. Smooth on-road and capable offroad.

 

[Idaho Savage]

Suspension is very subjective but it's my opinion (and many others here) that the OME shocks can be harsh. Personally I'd swap those first (plenty of good options depending on what you want to spend) and then move on to the springs if you're so inclined. FWIW, I'm experiencing the same thing and will likely start with Dobinson, Icon or Bilstein shocks, then go from there.

If you want the whole enchilada, lots of peeps like the Dobinson kits these days or you could spend more and get an Icon kit or even step up to Slee with their super nice remote res shocks. The world is your oyster.

 

[devo]

ExitOffroad.com

 

[Jayco80]

Suspension is very subjective but it's my opinion (and many others here) that the OME shocks can be harsh. Personally I'd swap those first (plenty of good options depending on what you want to spend) and then move on to the springs if you're so inclined. FWIW, I'm experiencing the same thing and will likely start with Dobinson, Icon or Bilstein shocks, then go from there.

If you want the whole enchilada, lots of peeps like the Dobinson kits these days or you could spend more and get an Icon kit or even step up to Slee with their super nice remote res shocks. The world is your oyster.

I've ran bilstien on lighter trucks and heavier trucks but never the midweight area the 80 is in. They rode really nice on my 3/4 diesel but not so good on my light 2wd street truck. The main reason I'd like to do front springs is to eliminate the need for the spacer and to reduce the rake (front end sag) to at least 1 inch preferably less. But you're right, the options are plenty, which is why I made the post. Trying to get a general consensus on the best riding shocks for normal use. I appreciate your input, thank you!

 

[Squeegee]

The biggest question is what’s your budget?

 

[Jayco80]

The biggest question is what’s your budget?

Budget isn't the issue, but wasting money is. I don't want to spent thousands when hundreds will yield the same results. On the flip side, I don't want to buy parts then not be happy and replace said parts with more parts.

 

[baldilocks]

Having your cake and eating it too means you would like dual/variable rate springs. Ironman foam cell pro shocks are heavy duty without being complicated or overly expensive.

 

[Malleus]

If "occasional off-road" doesn't mean rock crawling, put the OEM suspension back on. Toyota designed it for exactly what you're describing.

 

[oilbrnr]

IMHO either stay all OEM or choose your spring flavor and get fully (high/low speed compression and rebound) externally adjustable shocks. I’ve really appreciated being able to dial in the ride no matter if I’m running empty, or fully loaded for a trip. So far, the Dobinsons MRR I put in back in January from Exit have impressed. I do worry about getting them serviced in a year or two and I’m in the Phoenix metro area. Even finding a shop that will do Kings that don’t run on SxS is not easy.

 

[Squeegee]

Budget isn't the issue, but wasting money is. I don't want to spent thousands when hundreds will yield the same results. On the flip side, I don't want to buy parts then not be happy and replace said parts with more parts.

Others have said it. Get a dual rate spring and get a monotube shock with clickers. You’ll be able to dial it in to fit your needs

 

[Squeegee]

IMHO either stay all OEM or choose your spring flavor and get fully (high/low speed compression and rebound) externally adjustable shocks. I’ve really appreciated being able to dial in the ride no matter if I’m running empty, or fully loaded for a trip. So far, the Dobinsons MRR I put in back in January from Exit have impressed. I do worry about getting them serviced in a year or two and I’m in the Phoenix metro area. Even finding a shop that will do Kings that don’t run on SxS is not easy.

You’ll probably have to send them out. When the time comes try RTL suspension in salt lake. Miles works pretty closely with dobinsons and is “certified” to work on their stuff. I think if “non certified” techs work on their shocks it voids their warranty

 

[Jayco80]

If "occasional off-road" doesn't mean rock crawling, put the OEM suspension back on. Toyota designed it for exactly what you're describing.

I do a small amount of rock crawling. Although that is not nearly the primary purpose of owning it, it is fun to go out to hot springs orv park occasionally. But at most it's twice a year. But for that reason and several others I want to keep it in the +3" range with 35"s

 

[baldilocks]

I do a small amount of rock crawling. Although that is not nearly the primary purpose of owning it, it is fun to go out to hot springs orv park occasionally. But at most it's twice a year. But for that reason and several others I want to keep it in the +3" range with 35"s

Based on previous statements, your 80 is tall enough for your purposes and on 35’s already, it appears , and since you don’t plan to add much weight to speak of your current springs are probably ok to keep. Not sure why you want to remove the front spring spacer. A spacer never caused me any grief and will also act as a very good isolator.

It was determined years ago that OME Nitro Charger shocks produce a firm, if not harsh, ride. Why not swap out all 4 shocks for now and go from from there?

If you remain hell bent on new front springs the best path forward would be to abandon the varied opinions you will continue to read here in this thread and contact some vendors who can suggest a kit containing springs and shocks that they pair up.

 

[Jayco80]

Based on previous statements, your 80 is tall enough for your purposes and on 35’s already, it appears , and since you don’t plan to add much weight to speak of your current springs are probably ok to keep. Not sure why you want to remove the front spring spacer. A spacer never caused me any grief and will also act as a very good isolator.

It was determined years ago that OME Nitro Charger shocks produce a firm, if not harsh, ride. Why not swap out all 4 shocks for now and go from from there?

If you remain hell bent on new front springs the best path forward would be to abandon the varied opinions you will continue to read here in this thread and contact some vendors who can suggest a kit containing springs and shocks that they pair up.

Yes sir that was my main question is mostly about shocks. The reason for changing springs is so I can remove the spacers for now and if I add a winch later I can just put the spacers back to compensate for the sag the with will cause. I'm just looking for a better ride and I think shocks are the culprit. Seems that most others like the icon 2.0's but mostly those opinions are of 80's with a lot more weight added than mine.

 

[baldilocks]

Yes sir that was my main question is mostly about shocks. The reason for changing springs is so I can remove the spacers for now and if I add a winch later I can just put the spacers back to compensate for the sag the with will cause. I'm just looking for a better ride and I think shocks are the culprit. Seems that most others like the icon 2.0's but mostly those opinions are of 80's with a lot more weight added than mine.

All I have read about Icon suspension is that the springs are suited to lighter 80’s so I would assume Icon shocks would be valved for a lighter 80. Luckily the aftermarket has come alive for us 80 owners over the last ten years. You can spend $500 or $3000+ on a set of shocks. Those who manufacture and sell shocks will supply you with the FACTS and then it’s a matter of how much money you want to spend and helping you spend your money is something we like to do.

 

[Jayco80]

All I have read about Icon suspension is that the springs are suited to lighter 80’s so I would assume Icon shocks would be valved for a lighter 80. Luckily the aftermarket has come alive for us 80 owners over the last ten years. You can spend $500 or $3000+ on a set of shocks. Those who manufacture and sell shocks will supply you with the FACTS and then it’s a matter of how much money you want to spend and helping you spend your money is something we like to do.

Haha I think owning an 80 does it enough without any help! It's an addiction for sure. But it is fun.