1st Gen Best Suspension Upgrades

I am picking out a suspension for my 96 standard cab short bed 4x4. 136k miles and everything is original. Struts are gone and the leaf springs are falling apart. I was hoping to go the Old Man Emu route but it doesn't look as though they make anything for 1996 MY. The truck naturally has great ground clearance and has oversized tires already, so I am not too concerned about putting much of a lift on there, however wouldn't mind a 1-3 inch bump. I live in the mountains and drive rough dirt roads and fast windy paved roads, so looking for ride comfort and on road handling more than off roading.

What do you think the best suspension upgrade is for a first gen Tacoma?

 

Well, first off, you don't have a short bed. Those came on the 2001-2004 double cabs and 2nd gen short beds.

If you want low maintenance and lower price, go for just replacing your shocks with some new Bilstein 5100's and keep the same ride height you have now. You may need to buy a new front coil spring if the current one doesn't fit the Bilstein shock up front.

If you want to replace it all, I recommend going with a full OME kit. @HeadStrong Off-Road has great customer service and will likely chime in on here about the availability of a full Old Man Emu kit for your 1996 Regular cab 4x4.

You may also want to let us know what size engine you have: 2.7L 4-cylinder or the heavier 3.4L V6. That may influence what you do for the front.

Do you have any aftermarket bumpers or a winch? Or heavy skid plates? Any other additional weight?

 

Thanks @JasonLee. If there is not an OME kit available I may just throw some Bilstein 5100's on there. I will still need to address the rear leaf springs though. Is it worth upgrading beyond stock? I just ordered a rebuilt replacement 2.7 liter engine (had a high mileage replacement engine with blown head gasket when I bought it) and know she deserves a good suspension for the next 200k miles. I am addressing the engine, suspension and body work now. A front bumper and winch could be the first major accessory project I take on in a year or two. It would be nice to have that flexibility later. But no additional weight currently on vehicle.

 

I thought the front struts were the same from 95.5 to 2003? Give wheeler's a call, they are vendors here.