5th Gen Suspension Upgrade

Hello everyone!

Greetings, and great to be on the forum! I had a 4th gen which I totally enjoyed. But headroom was limited, so sold it for a Suburban. A great machine, but just too much for enjoyable 'wheelin', so sold it and got a 5th gen. Absolutely love it, and even has the headroom I need!

So have about 11K on it now, and want to do a couple things. One is level/lift. Plenty of threads out there, and I have the info I need to get that done. However, I don't like the way it squats when I load up the rear. Maybe the 'burban spoiled me, but the 5th gen just squats too much when loaded for my liking. Carrying a couple in the rear seat or throw some camping supplies in the back for the weekend, and it quickly settles down. Not nice.

As for existing and planned mods, really not much. I already have added RCI steel skids on the front and under the tranny and transfer case, and added their AL gas tank skid. Also added Body Armor sliders. All that pulled down the front end about 3/8-1/2", with just a minor drop on the rear. I don't plan on adding steel bumpers, rear racks or a winch. So now I want to get it leveled, and figure out something for a more robust rear end. (My brother jokes with me saying I am trying to build a T4R-2500....)

So kicking around bumping up the spring rate on the rear. Nothing crazy. Here is what I am thinking for leveling and more support in the rear:

Front: Eibach Pro-truck sport leveling Shocks

$140 E60-82-071-02-10 Pro-Truck Sport Shock, 1 Pack

E60-82-071-02-10
Stock Springs

Rear: Eibach Pro-Truck Sport Shocks E60-82-008-02-01
OME 895e or 895 -

These springs take the spring rate from the OEM 180 lb/in to 260 lb/in. Is that too much? Also the difference between the 895e and the 895 is one is 14.76" and the other is 15.35" long respectively. Which will keep the unloaded ride height about the same? I really don't want to lift the rear; OK, or no more than 1".

I have read through a lot of posts on this, and as mentioned, a lot of good info out there. I feel comfortable with Eibach shock selection. Just curious what folks think about putting higher spring rate springs without adding a lot of weight on the rear.

Thoughts? And many thanks in advance!

 

Here my set up and I love it. 80% street.

2” lift Bilstein 6112 w/600 lb coils front, 1.5” lift Eibach T13 coils rear, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks, 285/70/17 Falken WP AT3, Energy Suspension front bumpstops, SSO Slimline Bumper w/ Badland Shackles, Durobumps 4.25” rear

 

Im going to go with the same shocks, no spring upgrade since its really not necessary. I think the shocks will add to the rear support anyway over stock.

 

Thanks for the feedback. And nice build! Like what you have done there. So to clarify, how much difference did you notice the T13's did in terms of sag, say, when you have a couple passengers? In other words, was the difference noticeable? Any noted changes in vehicle handling?

 

And that is a real option - staying with the same springs. Will the shocks be able to actually carry some of the load? I was thinking that they would not be able to contribute too much. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

In assessing what I may need to do to the rear springs in my T4R I took into account what the additional (static/permanent) weight will be over the rear axles...in my case I will soon be adding another 200 lbs. This makes it easier to consider what rear springs I'll be searching for. Of importance I know how my present setup handles (Eibach Pro-Lift springset) as I actually picked up the bumper kit from the manufacturer and drove some 100 miles with that weight in the cargo area. By the time I arrived back home I had a really good idea of how the current lift amount and the shock dampening changed with that added weight. In my case the additional weight barely caused the rear to sag, maybe 1/4" at most and the shocks (Fox TRD) dampening was fine (it was already just a touch too stiff for my liking). Now at this point I would consider this a no brainer and not need to change out anything but I still have another 150 lbs of gear to add when taking on a long trip. That said, it makes the most sense in my instance to go with the Eibach Load Leveler (0-200 lb. AK31-82-071-02-02) springset and later on I'll decide if I'll need to swap out the current shocks.

Shocks do not provide 'lift' nor do they support any load by themselves, they are only motion dampeners.

 

Thank you!

Ive had 3 buddies sit in the back with a combined weight of about 600lbs and it may have sagged 1/2” or so.

With just me in the car the handling is great with a little bit of a firmness in the rear on bumps but nothing jaring.

i find that the more weight in the back improves the ride quality and makes it smoother on bumps.

 

Shocks dont carry loads, thats the springs job

 

For your situation, I think 260lb rear springs would be too stiff. You'll be getting a bucking sensation from the rear end with that set-up.

You should probably just get a standard load 1" lift coil for the rear and adjust the fronts to 1.6" of lift. That should get you pretty close to level.

You could make the argument to increase the spiring rate up front slightly, but I think you're right on the cusp for that. Could go either way. Maybe 600lb springs up front is worth considering.

 

Certainly, but its not like the stock springs don't carry weight to begin with. New shocks alone will improve its ride with normal weight (though not increase load), but is it really worth swapping springs if not really exceeding what stock springs can handle?

In my case i do have 100k so maybe new springs will be better? But new shocks will also improve how it rides. I'm not looking to be a heavy hauler, just caring camping junk in the trunk. lol

 

I have the T13 springs with 5100's on my 4Runner. I'm running a deck box with drawers, carrying tools, etc. I'm pleased with the ride quality. It's a comfy firm and not harsh, if that makes sense.

 

i was thinking the same thing - may experience "wheel-hop" in the rear.

 

Eibach rear 1" lift springs have a spring rate of 205lb/ft. Which should be perfect for your setup

That said you'll want 2" of lift up front. I'd set the eibach struts at 1.6" and add .25" top hat spacers.

 

Good input; thank you. I do like the ride the way it is, but also want enough support to not feel that sag when throwing in supplies for the weekend. Going to heavy on the springs on the rear will create that bucking effect. And it will reduce flex. Always a trade off, right? The T13 springs sound like a good middle-of-the-road option.

Good idea on the 600# up front. Not much different from the OEM 580#, but would pick up the load from the skids.

 

Really sounds like a good combination. And 2" up front sounds right. Why not just set the Eibachs on the front to 2" of lift? Maybe that's not an option? Any thoughts on addressing the driver's side sag? Frankly I really don't notice it.

 

Make a lot of sense. Leaning toward the T13 springs. Originally I wanted to do the 5100's but was concerned about the divergent valving. I understand the Eibachs are more linear, and should provide a more cushy ride in town, which is, of course, what I do 99% of the time.

 

What's your budget? Also are you installing yourself or are you having a shop do the work?

 

You'll have more available downtravel (about .5") by adding the .25" top hat spacers in the front. It will also leave your preload alone... Which is good.

Out of the opinions listed here I'd stick with @hossler1788 's advice. I don't think you need to get stiffer rear springs unless you have constant weight added (rear bumper/ gear/ etc.)
Just lift the rear a bit when you lift the front in order to keep some of that usable rake.

If you find there isn't quite enough rake, you could always add some coil spacers to the rear. This will keep the soft ride but allow you to load up with gear without squatting too much.

 

Was hoping for under or around $1K, but OK to go a bit higher if it can be done right once.

I generally do all my own work, but turns out my son works PT at a lift shop and offered to help as well as use his shop space. He has all the toys to work the springs, etc.

 

Thanks @1SilverRunner - and this thread is confirming that as well. Great info on the added downtravel. Nice added perk! I don't really care for the rake, so would be happy if it flattens out a bit.

Going from 180#/in to 205#/in will probably do all I need it to do to reduce the squat while not giving up ride and flex when unloaded.

Thanks much!

 

My suggestion would be struts/shocks, springs(front and rear), uca, and bump stops. Shop around and wait for sales.

Adding a lift is one thing, but adding a lift that's an upgrade(increase travel, ride quality, etc..) is another.

 

T13 are close as well at 195 lbs/in