Bump Stops do I need them?

Ok, new to the forum, new to Tacos. I know there are other threads that have covered this topic. I have read through the majority of them. The recommendation thread was super helpful, and I've researched each brand that was mentioned. Watched a few hours now at least of install and testing videos, but i still find myself hesitant to pull the trigger.

So, from what I've read it seems that they aren't 100% necessary for my set up. I have a 23 TRD Sport, its got 4k miles on it, mostly stock, but i finally got around to lifting it. 6112s and 5160s with a Icon AAL. With that setup it seems some will say i don't need new bump stops and stock is just fine. I'm just new to all of this and want to be sure I'm not going to break anything. I figure it wont considering I've driven the truck and all seems well.

However, I'm going to attempt my very first OHV trail next weekend and again want to make sure I'm not going to break anything. Its considered a beginner trail so I'm not extremely worried but would rather the truck be over prepared rather than under prepared. So for my application currently, is it worth sinking the money into?

I was looking mostly at the Timbrens, because "Buy once, cry once" right and a life time warranty is actually important to me. Perry parts look nice and the price is right but 3 year warranty if I'm just going to be going harder on the truck over the years just seems like a waste.

My over all question is if I'm lifted with my current setup and will be doing some OHV trails would i be alright on stock? Also, do bump stops provided any added benefit on road other than reducing body roll?

 

They soften the jolt of bottoming out on trails, but you really should start with tires first, and drive on deflated tires before bump stops.

Honestly with a good suspension like the 6112s and lift in the rear you'll rarely bottom out unless you push the truck, which it doesnt sound like it is your goal.

Stock sport tires will break loose on gravel long before you bottom out hard at high speed.

 

You will be fine with stock bump stops. I rode mine for awhile before finally getting aftermarket (accutune bump stops is what I have now). It made a world of difference when bottoming out. You’ll know it more once you’ve gone off road a bit.

 

Makes sense. Tires are in the works. Looking at BF KO2s. Am I a loser if I really like the stock sport rims? I feel like I'll get joked on if I roll up with 265/70/17 KO2s on stock rims.

I plan on getting into tougher stuff, just completely green as of now. I'm coming to trucks from BMWs so this is all new to me. Maybe I'll give it some time and when I start noticing I'm bottoming out ill pull the trigger. Thanks for the insight.

 

Typically if you’ve upgraded the front and rear shocks and springs, the need for bump stops is lessened.

I thought about upgrading mine, but am glad I didn’t bother after I lifted my truck and upgraded the suspension. I used to hit them quite a bit, but hardly ever hit them now.

Now if I’m hitting the bump stops, which is seldom, I know I’m driving a bit too aggressively and should back off.

 

Your truck came with perfectly good bump stops from the factory and hopefully you’ll never need them. Your bump stops are intended to prevent metal on metal contact when shit hits the fan. They are not intended to be a performance aid.

 

This makes perfect sense, guess I just needed someone to spell it out for me. I was mostly worries about damaging the coilovers or struts, but most research seems to point out that is only really an issue with long travel kits and my 6112/5160s are basically the same as stock travel wise. Thanks

Well said. I think I was just enjoying throwing money at upgrades, but I will be holding off on this one until it actually becomes relevant. Glad you all are here to save me money.

 

Bump stops in no way protect the coil overs in any setup, unless you consider the steel under the rubber to be part of the bump stop. You might be thinking of limit straps which limit the extension of the shock (as opposed to the compression).

Off-road racing rigs will often have hydraulic bump stops that are an integral part of the suspension, but they are a different beast than the bump stops on normal automobiles.

 

One other thought… “OEM replacement” shock absorbers like yours have the appropriate compressed and extended length to work in your Tacoma with no modifications. There are also general purpose shocks (sometimes called universal fit) on the market with different compressed and extended lengths that do require extended bump stops and/or limit straps.

 

This is what I was speaking of, some dude on this forum had a chart on how to do the measurements and math to figure out if you needed extended bumps based on compressed/extended length. I obviously don't fall into that category, I've figured that out. Being new to trucks I just didn't want to be the guy that put new suspension components in just to go off road once and destroy them.

 

Disclaimer: I’m assuming you bought Bilstein shocks sized properly for a 3rd gen Tacoma. Bilstein makes different sized shocks for different vehicles. Online sites typically make it easy to buy the correct ones.

 

Don't get me paranoid now, haha. No, I bought a kit from shock surplus specifically for my model, put it in myself with no issues/modifications needed(other than for the AAL of course). So I think I'm all good.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/products/bilstein-6112-assembled-system-16-21-toyota-tacoma

I do appreciate the info you've provided.

 

Going to jump into this. I added Westcott Design lift to my 17’ TRD PRO at the same time went to Toyo AT3’s (10 ply). The WD may have stiffed the ride a smidge, hardly notice. However, I do feel the heavier, harder tire when off road. We went out last weekend on logging road and half paved. Rides great over the gravel whoops and medium potholes. When i came up on where road crews had chipped out a large section and you have the 9” - 12” straight drop. We hit those and slam the bump stops. Airing down would have helped for sure. What is a good PSI for this type of driving and is there anything I can adjust or ad to soften the blow. Had to almost come to a complete stop (wife was with me and had to pee). But still pretty jarring.

 

The Toyo AT3 E load are a hard tire off road. Air down to 23-25psi for general logging roads and potholes. Adding a few hundred pounds of weight to the back of the bed will help some too, less bouncing up and down.

 

I beat the shit out of my oem bump stops. Still hanging in there. Mind you , I rarely carry weight in the rear.

 

Haha, This the type of shit I was looking for. I get out of the Navy in 2 months and really want to use my newly found free time to get out there and eventually push this truck. Would hate to spend $400-800 on an upgrade that just isn't needed. I also only carry weight from time to time and probably wont off road with it unless I decide to pull the trigger on a rack and tent.

I'm looking at either Toyo AT3s or BF KO2s anyone have a preference wither way. General consensus seems to be you cant go wrong with either.

 

Disclaimer, I'm not sure if bumps stops are different between models, like the suspension is. But if I was going to spend that kind of money, it would definitely be on Bilstein 5100's. The oem Off Road Bilsteins were good, but the 5100s are even bigger & better.

 

The only differences in the suspension across 3rd gen trims are the shock absorbers and possibly the sway bar and coil springs (ambiguous evidence).

BTW, bump stops are part of the suspension. Shock absorbers are only one piece of the suspension. The suspension consists of springs, shocks, control arms, sway bars, bump stops, spindles, shock absorbers, and other parts. I think this fact is too often misunderstood/misstated on this forum.