My ARB Bumper is too heavy

I purchased my tacoma with ARB already mounted on. Considering going to Stock.
Also I am aware how popular these bumpers are. But do not really need it.
Question is it worth switching to OEM bumper? Will my handling improve that much.

Truck has King Coil in front with 700 lbs rated springs
ARB bull bar (winch ready) -
Built Right Upper Control Arms - New lower control arms (2k miles) -
Bilstein 5100 shocks rear - NWOR shackles rear -

 

I think the 700lb coils are too heavy for not having a winch.

If you remove the ARB you will definitely need less stiff coils.

 

Where do you live? I will trade you a really nice OEM front for your ARB

 

Damn, 700lb?

I ran 600lb with an ARB, smooth AF.

Going back to stock, you'll find no problem unloading your bumper for a pretty penny. 650 or so?

OEM bumpers can be found free, plenty of members offer them up or throw them away like I did.

 

That is what I been thinking. My truck is insane stiff and dives weird when I am braking. Not too much but I do feel a slight dive. Might also be my rear leafs. Since I also feel that bump when I stop. I like the bumper. Just dont think I will ever use it off road. Most likely will attempt to sell it soon.

 

You may also want to find someone with a stock Tacoma of similar overall value for trade? I would look for a Taco with less mileage to make up for the value of the ARB and Kings.

 

I am not selling the truck. Just the bumper. Did you mean to trade the vehicle or the bumpers ?

 

Oh I gotcha. I misread your post. It appeared as if you wanted to swap out not only the ARB, but also the Kings, UCA/LCA, shackles, etc...
I just read through it too fast! Lol

 

According to previous owner Kings only have 2k on them. I assume he just rebuilt them. But I agree with you. Alot can be done with extra cash. Actually want to go to OEM suspension setup. Would love a smooth ride

 

^^ this

Very few 1st gens need 700lb coils unless they are rocking a heavy steel bumper, big winch and steel skid plates. Even then I'd think it might be over kill unless they've got a lot more weight throughout the rest of the truck. I have 600lb coils on my Kings with a 100lb steel bumper up front and it rides nicely.

I didn't know 1st gen Kings had an option for 700lb coils, but I guess he could have had them custom assembled.

 

Might want to make sure the rear drum brakes are working as intended, almost sounds like your fronts are having to compensate possibly. The fronts do most of the braking anyway but the rear should be helping.

The bump when you stop, does it feel like it's coming from the rear? Because thats pretty common with these trucks, known as axle wrap...the rear leaf springs bind up and release tension when you stop, makes it feel like you got tapped from behind. Better leaf springs usually solves it

 

I had all my brakes and truck inspected as soon as I purchased it.

yea the bump is coming from the rear. There must be a solution to the bind up. I see some folks add a leaf or replace the rear leafs all together.
Just that this truck feels not OEM. Makes long drives a bit of a pain on freeways and highways.

 

Yeah for some reason it seems like the auto trans guys get axle wrap and the manual trans don't, I'm not sure why but it almost always seems to be with the auto trucks. I had an auto 1999 Prerunner many years ago that did it real bad. Never felt it on my manual 04 even when I had the stock springs.

An AAL could help strengthen them enough to make it go away, but if they are the original leafs I would look into replacing them with a new set. They do wear out over time, and with that camper on the back it's probably a good idea to get a slightly heavier duty set anyhow.

 

you've got a beautiful truck. Will you ever need the bumper? Let's hope not, stock or ARB. I like the aesthetics of the ARB and the potential protection.

 

I’ve got a brand new bumper and valances from Rock Auto in their boxes sitting in my garage right now.

And turn signals, front bumper support and brackets.

I was going to replace my front end, but would prefer a steel bumper.

 

Where are you located, @SiberianTacos ? It looks like California from the gas prices and architecture.

I'm sure you can find someone on here that would trade their stock bumper and parts for the ARB plus some cash. They may even help you swap the coils out for less stiff ones and grease your shafts.

 

Yeap I am Souther California. Those gas prices are much higher now. I will consider about the bumper. For now just trying to understand how I can make it handle a little better.

 

I would try to reset the preload first before doing anything, not setting it correctly can possibly cause and harsh ride.

 

It doesn't sound like the ARB is too heavy, sounds like the coils are rated too high. Looks like a previous owner possibly planned on a winch and never installed it? From my research (so far), 650's or 700's and a heavy bumper and winch are about right. But 700's without a winch is definitely overkill from what I've read. And if you're running e-rated tires, forget about it!

I had a buddy who had a 2004 taco double cab with Kings, 650's, and a winch bumper and winch, and the ride was pretty damn sweet, at least on the street and slow trail use. A little soft for my tastes, but he didn't do any higher speed stuff, just slow trails, so it was just right for him.

For the more plush ride you want with the bumper and no winch, I'd think about going with 650s. Without the bumper, 600s. I think factory was 550? Are you planning on doing any off roading?

Heck, pick up a set of 600lb or 650lb springs from King, and sell your 700's if they're in good shape. I did read or hear somewhere though (maybe a vendor I talked to) that there is still a bit of pre-load on the 700's (longer coil) even with the adjustable collar backed off to max (least compressed) settings, so you'd need a spring compressor or shop to take the 700's off. The 600s or 650's should go on without need for spring compressor I believe (you can put spring on and start to thread collar down by hand). I could be mistaken on that though, haven't gotten quite that far in my own research.

 

He actually did have the Winch installed but did not sell it with the vehicle. I am running Good Year Wrangler A/T. Not E they are P rated

Here is a few photos of my coils