I'd like some opinions on upgrading my suspension system. You guys have been fantastic with suggestions in the past and I really appreciate all of your help! My 2004 LC100 93,000 mi is all stock. Rear shocks are shot. I am considering adding an ARB front bumper w/wench and possibly a rear swing bumper and low profile roof rack. Considering my wish list (weight) should I consider moving away from OEM shocks and towards an upgrade like OME / Biltsein ? Not cost sensitive here. Would love to hear suggestions.
Opinions on Suspension Upgrade
- Thread starter ncjeep
- Start date
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In the rear, coils will be more important in regards to weight
In the front, torsion bar adjustment and eventual replacement ( if you are really heavy) is more important than shocks.
For your front, you can add the ARB bumper + a winch and be OK stock toyota shocks with a torsion bar adjustment. If you add more weight like a second battery, some light bars, and get heavier, you may eventually max out your torsion bar adjustments and/or want to consider aftermarket.
For your rear, upgrade your coils to something rated for the weight you plan on running. I like Dobinsons based on personal use. For your shocks, upgrade if the coil you installed increased your ride height and you feel the need for bigger shocks BUT the toyota shocks are also still probably fine
There is no need to lift too much unless you want to stuff big tires in there and start building a different type of rig.
My build is as described above. Toyota OEM up front. Dobinsons coils + shocks in the rear. Weighing 7k lbs with more weight in my rear than front. I'm sitting a bit higher than I'd like in the rear but all and all it's a solid setup. Stock tire size. Front end is maybe 1 inch over stock whereas my rear is probably 2-3 inches over. you really only want like a 1 inch difference I think my coils are just a bit stronger than what they said they are rated for. The more weight I add to the rear the better it rides.
I can't tell in that picture, those may be my coopers but I didn't like them and sold em off quickly.
After testing a variety of tires the KO2 is the best tire for my use case on this particular vehicle, but that doesn't mean it's the best for you.
Those are stock size on 16" rims, I think 275/65-16
Tires and suspension suggestions are the most subjective things out there. One person may have a totally different experience with a tire or shock compared to someone else all based on their previous experiences and vehicles driven.
When it comes to suspension, build it according to your weight and use case, don't over do it
When it comes to tires, same advice, make sense of what you are doing and go from there..... There is no good all around tire especially once you factor in snow / ice driving....... Its always a balancing act of toughness and durability VS ride quality and longevity.......If you find yourself in very remote areas with no cell service, buy the toughest tire you can and sacrifice a bit of highway performance.....Just need to fly down some gravel / dirt roads? Well even a highway tire can handle that.
I've also got a GX470 with street tires, I put that thing in 4 low and climbed some gnarly power line trails recently so it's not like a highway tire can't go off roading, but if your main focus is going off road then dont get a highway tire....
After testing a variety of tires the KO2 is the best tire for my use case on this particular vehicle, but that doesn't mean it's the best for you.
Those are stock size on 16" rims, I think 275/65-16
Tires and suspension suggestions are the most subjective things out there. One person may have a totally different experience with a tire or shock compared to someone else all based on their previous experiences and vehicles driven.
When it comes to suspension, build it according to your weight and use case, don't over do it
When it comes to tires, same advice, make sense of what you are doing and go from there..... There is no good all around tire especially once you factor in snow / ice driving....... Its always a balancing act of toughness and durability VS ride quality and longevity.......If you find yourself in very remote areas with no cell service, buy the toughest tire you can and sacrifice a bit of highway performance.....Just need to fly down some gravel / dirt roads? Well even a highway tire can handle that.
I've also got a GX470 with street tires, I put that thing in 4 low and climbed some gnarly power line trails recently so it's not like a highway tire can't go off roading, but if your main focus is going off road then dont get a highway tire....
GTV
SILVER Star
Replace with new OEM shocks (they're very inexpensive), 30mm coil spacers, adjust the torsion bars to suit and put 275/70's on stock wheels (assuming you have stocks). Go have fun. If/when you add bumpers you'll have some first hand experience and can reconsider shocks/coils.
BullElk
SILVER Star
No different than a few fat people in the third row, OEM setup can handle that no problem..........Spacers probably not necessary and if anything will make ride worse as you increase the rake, at least in my experience.......
What suspension setup are you coming from and switching to OEM?
Will probably be the best ride compared to any other option out there...People are nuts about lifting and stuffing huge tires into these rigs. I understand for the folks who are dedicated off roaders but the majority are just trying to achieve a look and their ride quality suffers.
BullElk
SILVER Star
This particular suspension is in our dedicated long tripper and overlander. I have had issues with the AHC before but patiently got it working properly for a period of time until a recent mountain trip. End of story and our trip being it was bumpstopping in rear for 8 hours home. So not again.
And that is coming from myself being a HUGE fan of AHC suspension….. which I’m keeping as long as possible in my other four Lexii.
A friend gave me the lightly used LC springs, spacers and torsion bars. I’ve had them awhile now, in waiting, but they’re going to work this week. So the $200 cost of new shocks and labor cost will eliminate that beyond miserable drive home. And bunches of good AHC spare parts for my herd immunity.
I’m cranking the torsion bars to level fair to middlin. If need be, I’ll get a diff drop to mitigate the life of CVs.
Ah gotcha, well shoot it will be hard to compare to the AHC cloud feel lol.... My thought is the less you crank those torsion bars and pack spacers in the rear coils, the better it will feel.
Keep the center hub to fender height under 21" up front to avoid the need for a diff drop. Can push a little higher in the rear, but I don't believe lifting the 100 series accomplishes anything unless the goal is to stuff big tires in there and take selfies ( or to accommodate a heavier payload capacity )
BullElk
SILVER Star
I despise the rake look but I do want front and rear an inch or so higher than stock. I’m thinking the extra weight in rear when tripping will help the ride.
The ‘99 LC I had had an excellent ride with no AHC of course. I like the less than cush feel any way.
BullElk
SILVER Star
Just got my static suspenison installed. 20" up front and 20.5" in rear. Rides plenty nice.
Well this thread seems on point to my question regarding shocks for my '01 LC. When I bought it last year, it had from the previous owner a 2" lift kit from Iron Man, including stiff springs, torsion bars, gas shocks and diff drop. Rode like a log wagon. Advice from this site was to back off on the springs, as I don't have the weight to justify. I did. Replaced the rear with OME that were less stiff than IM, but still a lift over OEM. Front bars replaced with OEM, and cranked enough to restore some lift. I've got the KO, 33" tires. Truck rides much better, but still rough. Now I'm thinking I need to replace the stiff IM nitro gas shocks. Any thoughts, recommendations? Anyone need an IM lift kit?
I have been running the Eibach shocks and rear springs Pro-Truck Stage 1 (listed for 01 LC) Part #: E80-82-086-01-22 in my 01 LX since early April. OME torsion bars, Slee front diff drop and a standing ride height of 37" from ground front, 39" from ground rear, 265/70/18 tires. Smooth ride that rarely off roads (2 or 3 times, no issues) and handles local beach with ease.
Our previous 2" lifted LC100 had the IM Foam Cell Pros + heavy duty (+200kg rated) rear springs and HD torsion bars. Empty the ride was firm but still had WAF (Wife Approval Factor).
If you are changing dampers, not sure if OE would be happy with the lift, however with standard rate springs and torsion bars the FCPs are *likely* to be a decent improvement on the nitros. However they are also more $$$...
Thanks all for replies, all right on point. I ordered the Eibachs (E60-82-086-01-10 and ... -01) from Shock Surplus, as these appeared to be the only option that claims to be OEM ride quality, but designed for 0 - 2.75" lift. The foam cell pros were indeed much more expensive.
While I've not run through all the paces, I can notice a real difference with Eibach shocks compared to the IM nitros. As was as hoped/anticipated, the OEM-like, albeit longer shocks from Eibach fit my application (1-1.5"lift with no extra weight).
Look up KONi Raid. I have installed this specific model to numerous solid front axle and IFS 4WDs from Hilux, Rangers, LR1-4, Nissan Patrols, LC70s, 80s, LC100 and 200s and they all had excellent review from year one to-date (oldest is 7 years) from my old clients. More than half of them were mixed OME (regular nitrogas and BP51), Ironman and ToughDog suspension users.
Check out the girth of the Raid. Actual photo from several years ago.
Check out the girth of the Raid. Actual photo from several years ago.
