Heavier spring with OEM suspension?

[jl199986]

I now have a 21 base, 3rd row removed, full Trekboxx Alpha in the back, with a small fridge, battery, RTT, recovery gear, compressor, side steps removed. On my prior Heritage it seemed to handle the load just fine. This base seems a bit softer in back- Ride is okay, I can just tell I'm riding a bit more compressed than intended for the bounce. It was nice and level with the front where I had the factory spring spacer. I also had 285/65/18's AT3'a on spidertrax 1.25"s. Although I dunno if those matter too much for the height. I'll be adding the front OEM spacer and equivalent tire size to this one as well in the next week or two.

Later- I'll be adding sliders (bud?) and skids(Bud aluminum?) over the next years- but probably no bumpers for awhile. Wanted thoughts on the necessity of new suspension if I were to just upgrade the springs in the back for now. Is it time to go BP-51 all around? I prefer the slow build to keep giving me something to look forward to, but do care about the ride/ handling/control combination.

Thanks in advance of the input/ experiences.

 

[Artie]

I now have a 21 base, 3rd row removed, full Trekboxx Alpha in the back, with a small fridge, battery, RTT, recovery gear, compressor, side steps removed. On my prior Heritage it seemed to handle the load just fine. This base seems a bit softer in back- Ride is okay, I can just tell I'm riding a bit more compressed than intended for the bounce. It was nice and level with the front where I had the factory spring spacer. I also had 285/65/18's AT3'a on spidertrax 1.25"s. Although I dunno if those matter too much for the height. I'll be adding the front OEM spacer and equivalent tire size to this one as well in the next week or two.

Later- I'll be adding sliders (bud?) and skids(Bud aluminum?) over the next years- but probably no bumpers for awhile. Wanted thoughts on the necessity of new suspension if I were to just upgrade the springs in the back for now. Is it time to go BP-51 all around? I prefer the slow build to keep giving me something to look forward to, but do care about the ride/ handling/control combination.

Thanks in advance of the input/ experiences.

I’d measure from the center of your hub to your fender and see what your rake and overall compression is. Sounds like you already know you need some springs in the back.

 

[UPR LC]

I now have a 21 base, 3rd row removed, full Trekboxx Alpha in the back, with a small fridge, battery, RTT, recovery gear, compressor, side steps removed. On my prior Heritage it seemed to handle the load just fine. This base seems a bit softer in back- Ride is okay, I can just tell I'm riding a bit more compressed than intended for the bounce. It was nice and level with the front where I had the factory spring spacer. I also had 285/65/18's AT3'a on spidertrax 1.25"s. Although I dunno if those matter too much for the height. I'll be adding the front OEM spacer and equivalent tire size to this one as well in the next week or two.

Later- I'll be adding sliders (bud?) and skids(Bud aluminum?) over the next years- but probably no bumpers for awhile. Wanted thoughts on the necessity of new suspension if I were to just upgrade the springs in the back for now. Is it time to go BP-51 all around? I prefer the slow build to keep giving me something to look forward to, but do care about the ride/ handling/control combination.

Thanks in advance of the input/ experiences.

I have a 21 non-heritage.

Stock with front spacers, I felt the rear was too soft when I had people in the third row or bikes hanging off the back with a rack. In general I did not like the ride of the truck stock, it felt too soft for me personally. Unloaded it was fine and well proportioned height-wise.

I upgraded to ARB springs (rear progressive) and shocks (standard OME, not BP51) at the same time as I added Slee sliders and Slee steel skid plates. No bumpers, no winch, no extra fuel tank. I did add the ARB/OME rear spring spacer at the same time to give me a little more rear lift. I would consider this suspension kit as an "original equipment type" budget option and a good stepping stone if you do not want to go all-in with coilovers, etc, it is a zero maintenance setup like original equipment.

The ride and lift / proportions work great for me.

If you want to start small, you can add the rear spring spacer to the stock springs to give you a little more lift to match the front spacer. It isn't much but it will help. The spacers are ARB/OME and can be sourced from Slee Offroad.

 

[mobi-arc]

Pics of this setup would be interesting, if available.

 

[bloc]

If you have so much mass in the back that different springs are necessary, the stock dampers won’t be able to control that mass either. Not saying you need to go to kings or an advanced suspension, but something like some base bilstein or OME dampers in the rear will help a lot to control body movement.

With plans for sliders and skids you might as well do the front too.

 

[jl199986]

Thanks all. Was there ever a verdict on HE springs vs base? I recall some discussion, but think it got chalked up to no third row. Seems base is softer to me.

 

[RET2]

Use 22x's

 

[gasman4u]

I now have a 21 base, 3rd row removed, full Trekboxx Alpha in the back, with a small fridge, battery, RTT, recovery gear, compressor, side steps removed. On my prior Heritage it seemed to handle the load just fine. This base seems a bit softer in back- Ride is okay, I can just tell I'm riding a bit more compressed than intended for the bounce. It was nice and level with the front where I had the factory spring spacer. I also had 285/65/18's AT3'a on spidertrax 1.25"s. Although I dunno if those matter too much for the height. I'll be adding the front OEM spacer and equivalent tire size to this one as well in the next week or two.

Later- I'll be adding sliders (bud?) and skids(Bud aluminum?) over the next years- but probably no bumpers for awhile. Wanted thoughts on the necessity of new suspension if I were to just upgrade the springs in the back for now. Is it time to go BP-51 all around? I prefer the slow build to keep giving me something to look forward to, but do care about the ride/ handling/control combination.

Thanks in advance of the input/ experiences.

I’ve got an HE with the third row with Budbuilt aluminum skids from engine to fuel tank, and bud sliders too. They’re all top notch construction and I have zero regret.

I have the front OEM spacer and 2721’s on the rear. It handles fine to me. Hth

 

[wiseinvestor]

Springs are fairly cheap if your not ready for a whole new suspension. If you don't like it then you're only out a few hundred bucks.
I ran with spacers up front and 2720 springs on the stock suspension for about 2 years.
Gained about 1.5 inches over stock
Went to 2723 on BP-51 when I added the rear bumper.
I also have BB slides and skids.