dirtballer

I've loved my 2004 tacoma double cab since i drove it off the lot and want to treat her right. i drive 170 city and highway miles to camp on land which is down a dirt track in the mountains regularly for 4 straight years all on the stock TRD package. I need my truck to perform better off road in the brushy rocky trails of the northeast, more protection from the urban streets and still effortlessly drive long hours on the highway.

I installed an arb bumper not even the winch yet and it's sagging in the front.

Can i just install front coil overs to level out the front end to compensate for the weight of the ARB and also get the benefit of better off road travel? How would that effect driving long hours on the highway?

I was considering the ion vapor deposited (IVD) treated Icon Vehicle Dynamics (Formerly Donahoe) coil overs.

Can i just bolt in the coil overs with what's there and call it a day or do i have to get new upper control arms as well.

If i installed the front coil overs would that also make the chain reaction of having to install new leaf springs and bilstein 5100's in the rear.

Can i just keep the recommended tire size with the coil overs to support the arb bumper and still perform on and off road?

can't wait to hear what you all have to say

thanks

S

fillsrunner4

do some research on the lift. Im not sure what all is gained as far as lift wise nor what all is needed to do so but Im sure if you search that lift you should be able to find out more about it. As for the rear... If you lift the front and want to level the rear to match if its too much you could add in a small block(not that I recomend it) but it would give you the small lift you need if the front lift is to much. Needing new shocks wont really be needed unless were talking more than ~2" lift

Welcome and good luck

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94' toyota 4runner (Many a change!) purchased bone stock, NOW... SAS, 37x14" Iroks, Rear Leafs, 5.29's , Air locked front, Welded rear, 4.3L, Chevy V6 , 5spd swapped, dual T/C's MC10R10, flatbelly with custom skids, sliders, and so much more.

Might as well start reading this if ya want know more
Fillsrunner4 3.4crawler Build Thread
Fillsrunner4.3 crawler (Part Two) build thread

dirtballer

Thanks for welcoming me and i need all the luck i can get. Don't want to use blocks or spacers and want to stay with in a 2" lift not to stress the CV's and ball joints. Read about almost every lift kit and they all seemed as expensive the 2" i could get in a suspension upgrade. Am i totally off base?

fillsrunner4

Pretty much all IFS lift kits are for show as they prove very weak offroad. With that said yes it is true that some do great with the mild and even extream lifted IFS rigs but as far as reliability goes your IFS will always be the weak link you wished you did something different with. Thats my opinion and others will agree and disagree with that statement.

Ide say do a SAS but thats if you want to really take that thing places. A mild IFS lift will look great and give you better mild trail performance but i would still be afraid of breaking things. The SAS will be more $$$ but give great offroad and if done right good road manners and a IFS lift will give you a bit better offroad performance with alright road handling. Its your choice. If all you want is a more level ride and good for logging trails suspension get the IFS lift. If you want real performance for the trails I suggest saving for an SAS

__________________

94' toyota 4runner (Many a change!) purchased bone stock, NOW... SAS, 37x14" Iroks, Rear Leafs, 5.29's , Air locked front, Welded rear, 4.3L, Chevy V6 , 5spd swapped, dual T/C's MC10R10, flatbelly with custom skids, sliders, and so much more.

Might as well start reading this if ya want know more
Fillsrunner4 3.4crawler Build Thread
Fillsrunner4.3 crawler (Part Two) build thread

dirtballer

The IFS lift would use the coil overs but not really improve the stock street ride and actually make it worse? While i'm saving my $$$ for the SAS should i remove the heavy bumper? I want my ride to last a long time and make have what you call logging trail suspension. . .that's exactly what i want. .what things are you worried about breaking?

4biker

Believe it or not, a SAS is not the only option for improving off-road capability (as everyone with a SAS will have you believe). Coil-overs (popular ones are Donahoe and SAW) are an excellent option, since they are adjustable. 2004 is before the new (current) generation, right? You could go with an OME 880 or 881 coil in the front, which will give you a better ride and increased ride height. Another option is to just get a coil spacer in your shock assembly, which would probably level you right out. Coils are about $130+ shipping, and about the same for a spacer. Depending on what you do for the front, you may need to beef up the rear as well, but there are plenty of options for both.

There are lots of threads about suspension, and I suggest you look at as many as you can, then call some vendors about your needs and get their recommendations.

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/recap-old...search-144148/

Most of the discussions will be concerning 4runners, but the 3rd gen 4runner is the same front setup as the Tacoma, so that info will apply to your rig. This forum won't flame you for asking good questions, but it's a good idea to do a search, as all of this is covered over and over again. Good luck with your rig - I wish I had a 2004 Tacoma DC!

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/906's with black Tokico's, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup
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1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

dirtballer

Thanks 4biker - I've read alot of the discussions before i joined the yotatech family but since i'm such a newbie - reading and wrenching are 2 different worlds and feel like i'm in above my head already and i just started. Yes - i it was the last year of that generation and heard i could use ome 882's but read they sagged over time which is why i'm considering Donahoe coil overs and bilsteins 5100's in the rear - would that do the trick? I want to beef up my rig but keep it as close to stock as possible. is this the way to do it?

4biker

882's are the heavy-duty spring for this application, and you would end up with a lift, even with your bumper. You really have at least 4 options: Coil-overs, OME springs, spacers, or Tundra springs. It sounds like you want to keep the stock height. Honestly, I would give a vendor or two a call. They will be able to tell you better than anyone, since they see every type of situation. To answer your question, I think the coil-overs up front with Bilsteins in the rear would solve your problem, if you don't mind spending the money for the front. When I upgraded my sagging stock springs, I researched a ton, but it was all useless until someone put it in perspective. Brian at wabfab.org and Doug at Toytec answered my questions over the phone in about 5 seconds, and I'm really happy about the end result. I have OME 881's up front, but that might not work for you for your application. I suggest giving one of those guys a call and they'll really shed some light for you. That's what they do. Best of luck, and keep the questions coming!

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1997 4Runner Ltd, E-locker, OME 881/906's with black Tokico's, 265/75/16 Yokohama Geolander AT+II's, 1000w inverter, dual batt setup
My Profile
1998 Rocky Mountain Element TO (Canada Red)

dirtballer

Thanks for for information - i'll be calling them tomorrow for sure - How many miles have you clocked on your Coil overs and OME rear suspension so far? Has it effected the MPG's?