Help selecting suspension for '05 LC

[KMGHMG]

Hey Guys,

I've spent a couple of hours this evening trying to figure this out on Mud, and I'm even more confused than when I started. I have a 2005 LC with BIOR front bumper and winch, BIOR rear bumper, and Gamavitti roof rack. The truck is my wife's daily driver, but it also serves as our "expedition" vehicle for camping and very long road trips for about 100 days a year. We often have it loaded with a canoe and related accessories, cooler, fishing gear, two adults, three kids, and a lot of other stuff. When loaded, the back sags, and when I'm off road and in even moderately challenging terrain, the spare tire (underneath) will hit rocks when I go into sharp dips. The truck needs a lift...1.5 or 2.5 inches, I can't decide, and I clearly need new shocks or springs or both. Finally, I''m very concerned about ride quality when being driven around town by my wife getting groceries - a harsh ride would be a problem.

Having said all of that, i'd be most grateful to have your opinion on my best course of action to optimize the ride and performance when loaded and unloaded - perhaps too much to ask!

Thanks!!!

 

[duggy]

It is in my opinion if you are loaded, it is advantageous to go with 864s over 863. Skip the OME shocks and get some nicer Fox or Icon shocks for ride comfort.

 

[White wings]

How would we rank slee's design into that list?

 

[KMGHMG]

Great question, White Wings. I'd be interested to hear what others have to say about that as well.

 

[RumBum]

I ran a similar load on my 2000 for a while. Ran medium load OME but the rear seemed to sag more and more as I added more gear to the truck. Took it to Slee and they installed the Slee heavy springs. Still sagged a little. Christo asked if I had lead weights in my drawer system. They ended up installing the OME heavy springs (forgot the #). I'm currently building my 2006 and trying out the Ironman springs and foam cell shocks. We'll see how it goes as I load everything back onto & into the truck.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Seeing hows its the wifes DD I would start off slow giving you the option to back up any time. Otherwise you could end up with a not happy wife. And we all know how that story ends.

Crank the OEM t-bars resize the rear springs on the light side with the OEM shocks and see and drive it. Shocks can be upgraded at any time easily, my wife was good with Bilstein upgrade. My experience is you need to and a lot of extra weight for after market T-bars to ride nice enough to be wife approved. What you dont want is to hear you took my nice riding 100 series and F'd it up with all your junk.

 

[KMGHMG]

Seeing hows its the wifes DD I would start off slow giving you the option to back up any time. Otherwise you could end up with a not happy wife. And we all know how that story ends.

Crank the OEM t-bars resize the rear springs on the light side with the OEM shocks and see and drive it. Shocks can be upgraded at any time easily, my wife was good with Bilstein upgrade. My experience is you need to and a lot of extra weight for after market T-bars to ride nice enough to be wife approved. What you dont want is to hear you took my nice riding 100 series and F'd it up with all your junk.

When you suggest going on the light side with springs, do you have a specific recommendation about which springs would be ideal in this situation? Many thanks!

Matt

 

[Hayes]

When you suggest going on the light side with springs, do you have a specific recommendation about which springs would be ideal in this situation? Many thanks!

Matt

I would not describe them as "light," but I think the OME 863 coils are a good balance of enough spring rate to carry a rear bumper, passengers, and a reasonable amount of gear, and still maintain a reasonable ride when unloaded. In my opinion 864s without a constant load of significant cargo (beyond and above your bumper) would be too stiff.

Icon shocks definitely improve the ride, but are not cheap.

 

[KMGHMG]

I would not describe them as "light," but I think the OME 863 coils are a good balance of enough spring rate to carry a rear bumper, passengers, and a reasonable amount of gear, and still maintain a reasonable ride when unloaded. In my opinion 864s without a constant load of significant cargo (beyond and above your bumper) would be too stiff.

Icon shocks definitely improve the ride, but are not cheap.

Wow, about $1,000 for the Stage 1 Icons. Ouch! But, of course, if they keep the wife happy….

Matt

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I would start with 860 for a DD and add airbags to adjust for the few times you are fully loaded. I have run this set in the past and consider it all purpose. You can adjust your daily ride if needed with packer or spacers. I run 863 on my 80 and they ride nice but Im fully loaded.

I would also give Slee a call and give him an honest intent on your 100 and listen to his input.