Well, I have the adjustable Fabtech coilovers on my 97 toyota tacoma.They squeak really bad so I have been shopping around for shocks.Cheapest I found was 175 a shock.Well,that got me thinking,I don't like the way these shocks ride anyway.So maybe, I should look into a different setup.Then, that lead to another question,Exactly how much suspension lift do I need to clear 33s if I have a 3 inch body lift?The coilovers are currently cranked pretty high and I tower 33s right now.The truck will clear 35s easy right now.

I was looking into the old man emu lift which should ride a lot smother than what I have going on right now.I was thinking just the medium spring since I don't have any extra weight in the front.However,I didn't see exactly how much lift these springs will give me.

So basically im just in a dilemma and want the best ride.So what do yall recommend fabtech coilovers or old man emu?

 

You can run 33s with stock suspension and a 3" BL. But, I highly recommend losing the BL and getting OME 881s with top spacers for 3" of lift. If you're looking to soften up the ride, 883s (which is what I have) or 882s will not ride soft without significant extra weight from a winch, off road bumper, skids, etc. They will give you ~3" of lift though. IMO, a 3" BL has absolutely no benefit off road, in fact it reduces the capability because of the high COG. If you go with any OME setup, you may need a 1" BL to clear the 33s off road. I didn't need my 1" BL with 33s, but I do with 33.5s.

 

Fabtech = Fail

Go OME

 

well,the body lift will not be coming off.It is just to much trouble and there is really no benefit from taking it off.

That is great to know about the 33s clearing on 3inch body lift so Now any ome spring will work question is which will ride the best.I won't have a winch bumper or skids so i don't need the heavy duty springs.

I would like maybe 1 inch of lift.

 

You mean besides running a high risk of the pucks punching through the sheet metal of the body because of all the extra leverage they create and the fact that they could enable the body to detach itself from the frame much easier in an impact?

The 881s ride great and give 1-1.5" of lift (without the top plate spacers) so I think those would work out good for you if you decide to leave the BL in. Really though, you're much much better off losing the BL and going with a 3" OME suspension lift.

 

Well, the pucks already pushed through the cab and I have already rebuilt the mounts.I even welded in new floor plates.The floor was already messed up when i bought it.

So 881s it is any shock recommendations?

 

um hasn't it been proving that suspension lifts throw your COG off more than body lifts??? and what about adjustable bilsteins upfront man??? heard nothing but good about them.

 

oh ya and your trucks look dang good man even with the 20's. haha

 

I have had my FOX Fabtech coilovers up front since 2001 and have loved'em and no squeaks. I recently had them rebuilt and now I have mad squeaks form one side (even sent the strut back to have checked), How can I be sure its the strut and not a bushing in the A-Arm assembly?