Help with ride height / spring purchase (1 Viewer)

[ummKulthoum]

Hello everyone, I know there's already 100s of threads on suspension and coil springs but I was looking for a unique solution.

I recently got a 96 LX450 that has an OME lift on it with 285/75 tires. I'm trying to get the truck to have the best drivability/looks as possible.
I have new 275/70/16 tires on it and the lift looks ridiculous. The truck has an ARB front bumper, and rear seats permanently removed, no other gear on it.

I know the OME 2861/2 is popular but its still a 10-20mm lift. I was looking around and studying the OME spring table and had this idea:

OME 2862 springs for the Front
OME 890 springs for the Rear

This results in -20mm in the front (compared to normal 2861) and -25mm in the rear (compared to 2862)
Front spring rate will be stiffer, and rear spring rate will be softer
Im planning on putting in Bilstein B6 4600 shocks all around.
This won't ever see dirt/mud, will be a commuter/hauler for lowes/home depot.

A) Is this even possible? I know the springs arent meant for what im applying them for but is there a potential issue with this?

B) Any better ideas for what i'm trying to do?

Appreciate everyones time. Below is how the truck currently looks with the stock tires + lift.

 

[Broski]

This won't ever see dirt/mud, will be a commuter/hauler for lowes/home depot.

Sale it and get a Tacoma it would better suit your need.

For best ride and drivability get a Dobinson standard height or 1 inch Lexi Flexi lift

 

[BILT4ME]

You're going to install Bilstein shocks on a truck to go to Lowe's and not off-road?

Buy Toyota shocks (the stock units will still work with a 2-1/2" lift) and are about 15% of a set of Bilsteins.

Do do your own work or do you pay someone?

 

[Mark W]

I recently got a 96 LX450 that has an OME lift on it with 285/75 tires. I'm trying to get the truck to have the best drivability/looks as possible.
I have new 275/70/16 tires on it and the lift looks ridiculous. The truck has an ARB front bumper, and rear seats permanently removed, no other gear on it.


This won't ever see dirt/mud, will be a commuter/hauler for lowes/home depot.

B) Any better ideas for what i'm trying to do?

Put stock springs back under it. Leave the bumper for collision protection. Possible install a set of 30mm spacers in the front to compensate for the weight of the bumper.

Drive on.


Mark...

 

[ummKulthoum]

haha you're right a Tacoma would've probably been a better choice as a daily.

Yes I do all the work on this myself. Got it because I want to take building my track car a little more seriously.

Rock auto has bilstein shocks at 80-100 a piece for all 4 sides. If they'll suite me better im happy paying that price.

I'm trying to find a consistent source for toyota parts, i found what seems to be stock springs here:
The only thing throwing me off about these parts is under specifications, it seems the heights are a few inches off what they should be?
I've been going off this thread and it seems stock front coil height is around 19". But the matching part number of 48131-6A490 on that site has 16.9" as the height. Am I reading too much of this?

If the site is right then it should be:
front right
front left
rear x 2 (they discontinued the driver side so ill have to just double up on passenger side)

Appreciate the help from everyone

 

[mudgudgeon]

I agree. If you don't like the look of the lift, go back to stock springs (used. Don't think they are available new from toyota anymore), or Dobinsons stock height springs.

there is definitely cheaper options for shocks, but I think with shocks, go as high a quality as you can justify

 

[Broski]

I agree, go with the Dobinsons stock height

 

[mudgudgeon]

Partsouq.com is a good online source for parts. There's a load of threads listing other options

 

[ummKulthoum]

Sadly partsouq also has them as not available.

I think the best thing to do here is the dobinsons stock height springs, thanks guys.

 

[Broski]

IMO the Dobinsons is a better choice you should get a little over OEM height with a better ride.
Coil springs have evolved over the last 30 years

 

[RubyCruiser]

I’m heavily researching this as well, although a bit different situation as I am on 305/70’s (33”) but on original OEM springs and OEM replacement shocks (SACHS - unknown vintage).

I’m currently sitting at 20” inches center of hub to bottom lip of flare, so level but a bit saggy. I am 99% decided on going Dobinsons stock height replacement spring coils (C59-210/221V’s) over any other brand because they are planted but plush (or so I’ve read vs. OME which apparently need weight to feel good), and they are variable rate so they can take a little weight for the few times I might load up the cruiser.

Also, according to @crikeymike, the Dobinsons are a bit higher than US spec OEM springs, as they were spec’d by Toyota for the Aussie market that way (UAE even higher!). So, in the definitive suspension guide thread, I believe someone mentioned in the reviews that their stock weight rig went up to 23.5” rear and 21.5” front using the hub/flare measurement.

I’ll see how that looks/rides with these springs, new OEM Tokico shocks ($60/per vs. $$$ alternatives that are enticing but I don’t need currently). Then plan is to eventually (possibly?) squeeze 295/75’s (33.4”) under if I think they can work. Under 2” with 285/295s has been mentioned by many as an ideal look and setup if you are not looking to go big.

Mine is an also garage queen and weekend driver, as I am looking to restore it near-OG glory and show off to all of you types at cars and coffee, but that’s pretty much it for now. Your use case may dictate something different but this is what i am thinking is the best set up for me/my rig configuration.

Welcome any comments or before/after pics if you’ve done the same setup. Thanks!

 

[efjayatee]

OEM Stock height fits 285s with out issues or rubbing. I can fit 285 MT on stock height. Dobinson stock ride lift is little taller than OEM stock lift.

 

[ummKulthoum]

I bought and installed the dobinsons stock height coils. Looks much much better now, thanks everyone for the suggestions!

 

[RubyCruiser]

I bought and installed the dobinsons stock height coils. Looks much much better now, thanks everyone for the suggestions!

View attachment 3846943

Nice, Any change in ride quality? Are those 275’s?

 

[ummKulthoum]

Nice, Any change in ride quality? Are those 275’s?

The truck drives a lot nicer now that its not 2"-3" lifted, the springs I took off were 850/863.
Hard to do a direct comparison of the springs alone other than ride height.
And yes they're 275/70, stock tire size

 

[LecheFidelis]

Does anyone know if the mudflaps need to be trimmed to fit 285s or 295s on stock suspension?

 

[BILT4ME]

Does anyone know if the mudflaps need to be trimmed to fit 285s or 295s on stock suspension?

No they do not need to be trimmed for either.

 

[405]

I bought and installed the dobinsons stock height coils. Looks much much better now, thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Looks a lot better. I'm considering going with the Dobinsons stock height for my 80 as well, but I'm going to go with some 285/75's first.

 

[LecheFidelis]

Looks a lot better. I'm considering going with the Dobinsons stock height for my 80 as well, but I'm going to go with some 285/75's first.

I am going to try the OME stock height with OEM shocks.