I need suspension advice for a very mild build

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Hey guys,

The wife's '03 100(LC) w/ 170k miles is the subject of this discussion. We're planning on a 3-4 week road trip this summer doing a big loop of several western states. It will be the 2 of us, our 2 dogs, and our gear along with our offroad trailer w/ RTT. The truck is bone stock other than an Ironman bullbar.

Reasons suspension improvements are desired:
Excessive stinkbug from bullbar
Wallowy daily driver handling despite new OEM Toyota shocks that will only get worse with load
Increased load capacity for gear/tongue weight

The rub is that this is my wife's DD 99.9% of the time and runs around town empty. She is completely open to "enhancing" the ride in the sense that it be a bit sportier and less wallowy, but any harshness will not be tolerated. Please note, "lift" is not the primary objective at all. She is ok with 1-1.5" over stock, but does not want to drive a "lifted truck."

I'm not sure if we have a shock problem or a spring problem that is causing the poor ride quality. The shocks are new, but the ride is nearly identical to what presumably were 170k mile old shocks. That leads me to wonder if maybe I should just go with a shock upgrade(OME or Ironman?), crank the stock t-bars, and install a set of airbags for when we're loaded up.

I'm 100% open to other suggestions though.

Thoughts?

 

[abuck99]

Your stock TBs are close to capacity with that bull bar. If you crank them up, your ride quality will get worse. If you install the Ironman, TJM or OME TBs ($350+\-) you can bring the front end back up to factory ride height with plenty of spring left to add lift later on if desired. The ride quality at factory height will be nice. If you are on original shocks, I'd bet they are toast. Replacing those ($150 for all 4)with another set of the factory shocks will be fine for your intended use. So about $500 invested if you do the work your self. Check your swaybar bushes and end links. If you replace the TBs it's a good time to update those parts. Have a great trip-

 

[bctlex]

Wallowy daily driver handling despite new OEM Toyota shocks that will only get worse with load

Since you mentioned handling - look up steering rack bushing replacement. It really improved the on-road feeling and steering is much more responsive on mine.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Your stock TBs are close to capacity with that bull bar. If you crank them up, your ride quality will get worse. If you install the Ironman, TJM or OME TBs ($350+\-) you can bring the front end back up to factory ride height with plenty of spring left to add lift later on if desired. The ride quality at factory height will be nice. If you are on original shocks, I'd bet they are toast. Replacing those ($150 for all 4)with another set of the factory shocks will be fine for your intended use. So about $500 invested if you do the work your self. Check your swaybar bushes and end links. If you replace the TBs it's a good time to update those parts. Have a great trip-

I will definitely check the swaybar bushings and endlinks. They could very well be the culprit for wallowing as it is the sway when encountering humps or dips on one side of the vehicle but not the other that causes the most noticeable wallow. The shocks are new OEM as of 3-4k miles ago.

I am thinking that the T-bars may give me back the spring rate I need to help shore up the ride a bit.

Since you mentioned handling - look up steering rack bushing replacement. It really improved the on-road feeling and steering is much more responsive on mine.

Also a good call, will do. Thanks

 

[abuck99]

Nice trailer build btw.

Yeah you will be surprised at the difference uprated TBs will make.