LONG weekend, but it's done! ARB, Winch, Downey CO's, Pics

3563 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Pathtaco, Mar 3, 2005

sagexp

Discussion Starter · Feb 28, 2005 (Edited)

This was not a one man job, but, I did it my damn self anyway.

Started putting things together Friday night, then installed the Downey Coil Overs (easiest part of all), and The NWOR 1 1/2" Shackles and KYB gas adjust shocks (moved inboard 1/2") on Saturday.

On Sunday, Installed the ARB and Warn M8000 winch, along with the Piaa 80 Pro XT's.

The ARB was a gold plated bitch to do by myself, especially since it seems nothing wanted to line up right. ARB's instructions were not that great, and to top it off, at max adjustment, I'm still about 1/4 inch off center on the bumper. Nobody but me would notice, but it irks me nonetheless.

Here's the pre-picture, last weekend out hunting. (Could have used the winch that trip).

Here's the post "wrech-a-thon weekend" pics.

I like it. Ended up with 1.5" lift all the way around. The Downeys are Smoooottthhhhh. I hope that smooth does not translate into soft once I get it back in the dirt though. I don't have an area around to wheel it, so I did a little urban wheeling, hitting speed bumps at speed, and dropping over some curbs. Wow, is this what a real suspension is supposed to feel like? I had a non-trd tacoma, so I had a real bare bones suspension on there. The on road feel is without a doubt superior to the non-trd tacoma suspension.

Dropped the rear tail pipe support down one bolt for a 1" drop. I'm hoping that's all I need, I'll see. Have not done the BPV valve bracket yet, I'll hit that tomorrow. Brake line is pending, as well as a decent washing. All I've done is hose it off since last week, but she's purty to me! It will continue to make for a kick ass hunting / exploring truck.

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sagexp

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 1, 2005

Yes, I got the Tacoma coils. I figured the Tundra coils would be overkill and would sacrafice too much flex or ride too rough.

I will see how it goes. I'm going to run a week with the cable and fairlead in, and see how it goes. Right now, I'm not sure what I'm feeling exactly, but I'm getting an odd sensation while driving. The front is smooth to be sure, but the back is not. So, when I'm hitting bumps, I get a "bump -- BUMP". Again, I've not had it in the dirt yet, but that front suspension sure soaks up some big bumps. I've got a set of them large speed bumps (like 3 feet wide, 8" tall) that I go across every day. Ordinarily they feel like they'll launch me. Now, the suspension just soaks them up. Huge improvement.

It just feels like the stock (except for shackles and KYB gas adjust shocks) rear suspension is now not up to the task the way the front is. They KYBs may be too stiff as well.

I felt better about the set up today, but still have an odd sensation. If it doesn't improve or I don't get used to it by the weekend, I'll take off the cable and roller fairlead for a week and see how things feel. But, it doesn't feel like too much weight, just different spring rates, so removing the weight may not help?

It would kill me to have to buy synthetic line and aluminum fairlead, as I intentionally spent the extra money bought the M8000 with 100' and roller fairlead because I had no intention of running synthetic. If I thought I'd of run synthetic, I'd of just gotten the same damn winch with 80' and hawse for a heck of a lot cheaper. May not have made the financially smart purchase on this one......

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sagexp

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 1, 2005

Actually, I have no idea why KYB calls them "gas adjust" because they're not adjustable. But, from what I gather, they are a firm shock.

I wanted to go with Bilsteins in the back obviously, but NWOR (and everybody else) didn't have any, so I went with what they had.

As for the synthetic line, man, hate to do it, but I may. It does seem like an awful lot of weight to lug around for something that may get used 2 or 3 times a year. I should be able to get something out of brand new 100' of cable and fairlead, like you say.

I may pull the cable and fairlead off today, and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't, I'd say my problem is more the rear end than the front, and may put some additional money there instead.

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sagexp

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 2, 2005

Well, I took the cable and fairlead off to try it out on the way home tonight. I checked on two different scales though, and the 100' of 5/16 cable and roller fairlead only comes out to 30 lbs and 31 lbs each time. I thought for sure it would at least approach 50 lbs, but it doesn't.

I don't think I'll be spending over $200 to gain a 25 pound weight savings up front. But, I will try it and see if there's a noticeable difference.

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sagexp

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 2, 2005 (Edited)

Thanks for the reply regarding the Downeys.

Don't the ride with the Tundra coils bounce you off the top of the cab? Seems like going from 480 lb coils to 800 lb coils, even after a net increase of 150 lbs up front, would be awful stiff?

I ran without the winch cable and fairlead last night, and it made a bit of a difference I think, but I don't know that it will be enough. Hard to tell because traffic was hell and I couldn't give them a decent work out. But, I'm only shedding 30 lbs between the cable and fairlead. I don't know that I want to spend $200 on synthetic and aluminum to shed just 30 pounds.

I'll try it again tonight and see if in fact the ride did improve as much as I thought it did. It almost felt acceptable if I could soften up the rear just a tad.

Talked to Downey though, and I can get the Tundra coils for $160 if I decide to do that. That would easily allow me the ability to install a second battery as well, which is way out of reach weight wise right now.

Anyone want a set of Downey Tacoma coils, only slightly used?

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