Bump stop extension installation: a learning experience

First I would just like to once again thank the members of this forum that contribute so much knowledge to the tundras.com community. When I first joined the forum I had just purchased my first 4x4 truck, and had a lot to learn. I have gained so much experience in working on/with my truck from the information provided by the forum family. THANKS AGAIN!!

I knew when I bought my truck that I wanted the stance to look more "4x4-ish" and be able to install some larger tires when my factory tires gave up the ghost, so I went to 4WP to discuss options on a limited budget since I was practically broke after buying the truck. They asked me if I was going to be doing any serious offroading, and I told them no, so we decided to settle on some Pro Comp 2.5" spacers. The ride did not change one bit from stock, and I was happy with the level look. However, I started using my truck to pull my trailer, so since it is leveled, I had "Carolina Squat" when I pulled my trailer under heavy load . So, I installed some SDHQ shackles which raised the rear about 3/4". I really love my truck's stance now, during towing or not.

Now after constant research on this most informative forum, I know more about spacers and the possibility of shock collapse/destruction when doing more aggressive offroading (the "taco" effect). I want my factory shocks to last as long as possible, maximum to 75,000 miles (because I'm cheap ), and then intend to go to a Bilstein 6112 / 5160 combo, like I would've done if I had the cash after I bought the truck. I have been hitting the government woods trails recently, which aren't too challenging, but there are some areas that can put your suspension to a minor test. So, after again researching on this forum that bump stop extensions are recommended on levels / lifts 2" and up so your shocks don't "taco", I decided I should get some CB bump stop extensions.

I didn't know that there were actually four bump stops on the front . I took off the front tires, and installed the extensions on the "front front" and "front rear" frame mounting points on each side of the truck. When I got the tires back on and looked at the bump stops with the extensions installed, The "front rear" was fine, with about 1.25" clearance. But the "front front"...different story; there was only about 1/4" clearance. At that point I noticed that the "front front" bumper stop mounting point is lower than the "front rear". And that was probably exacerbated when I recreated the factory rake after installing my SDHQ shackles. Therefore, I removed the "front front" bump stop extensions, and it now looks good. The "front front" has about 1.5" of clearance, and the "front rear" still has about 1.25" of clearance. Took it out for a drive in the woods and all is good.

I hope this post helps someone, as much as I have been helped by the thousands of posts I've read. Thanks all!!

All pics are of the passenger side.

1st pic: bump stop extensions installed on "front front" and "front rear"


2nd pic: "front rear" bump stop extension


3rd pic: "front front" bump stop extension


4th pic: bump stop extension installed only on "front rear", with "front front" factory bump stop


5th pic: "front rear" bump stop extension


6th pic: "front front" factory bump stop

 

Your front bump stop looks about the same as mine before the lift. Putting on the same lift you used.
Thanks for the link from what I posted. Did you put a caliper under and measure the space?
Visually mine looked much smaller but when I dialled it in closest point was 55/64" on the front. I was shocked as I would have expected it to be closer by just looking at it.

 

No caliper, just a tape measure. Definitely not as accurate, but good enough to let me know the gaps were pretty close to stock without the spacer lift.

 

Installed the pro Comp 2.5 lift/level kit and here are the numbers that changed with the bump stops on the truck. Before the lift sat stock with front bump stops front 55/64 and the rear at 1 11/64, after the lift front 1 27/64" and rear 2 1/2". For the height of the Pro Comp 2.5" front lift height at wheel well increased by 2 3/8" for an overall measure from the ground of 40" to the top of the fender well. Change in front bump stops was an increase of the front bump stop by 9/16" (or 36/64") and the rear was 1 21/64". The interesting thing is that the downward travel of the suspension didn't decrease, downward travel before the 2.5" blocks was 85/64" and after was 87/64", which makes me concerned about over extension as the upper control arm now touches the spring at full extension which I fear may put a side load on the shock if hitting some hard bumps and bringing the suspension to its full downward motion. Something I did not see with my last Tundra, but it was a 2wd and only had a 2" leveling kit. Also even though it had been used quite a bit off-road, (sand-dunes) I never had any issues with bottoming out, or shock collapse, but it was a 2010 vs. 2019.
I can't say I was a huge fan of the lift in hind sight, as I have been running the 275/70R18's, and after the lift the tires on stock rims now rub horribly against the skid plate, which a bit of gentle pressure guided the skid plate out of the way, but I was not anticipating this as an effect of the lift in the front.
I'm still waiting for the bump stop extensions to arrive, so I'll give those a measure when they show up and then post final numbers for bump stops distance vs. stock. I also ordered 1" extended shackles for the rear, as the rear is now 1/2" shorter than the front with a canopy on the back.
I really think you may be right about change in bump stops being too short for the front with the extensions.

 

OK so put on the rear lift and it was easy, and then Bump stop extensions came in today. They were just bouncing around in the box beat to crap and looked previously used and cleaned up but but had definite signs of wear. Gave them a measure anyway calipers and noted how they would change front and back bump stops overall both positions less than idea as they don't properly locate either bump stop. I didn't install just measured and placed back in boxed for return. Extensions would put front bump stop at 17/64" (1/4" roughly) vs. 55/64" and the rear at 1 1/2" vs. 1 11/64" at stock height. I'm probably over thinking this whole thing, but if you are going to try to restore the bump stops to the correct height to correct potential for damage it would seem they would be the right height to put the bump stops where they started. I guess my line of thinking doesn't match the products out there, but I will keep trying.
To me it only makes sense that the upward travel should remain the same as before the spacer lift to prevent damage to the front strut.

Overall I think Darthmurdicide has it right with the best option available but was really expecting a better solution, but I do think I'm over thinking this, and would love to know what others think.

 

I installed the CB "pro" bump stops on my pro, I also installed shims. I noticed the same thing. The front was really close and the back was significantly higher. I looked at my neighbors stock one andhis were a significant distance away. I asked CB about it and led me to believe it was fine. Something about the way the shock compressed that the rear went down first and it wouldn't hit the front. (I'm not an expert and this was a year ago so this may not be exactly what was said but it's the jist) He also said that I probably didn't need the spacers and could remove them.

 

The guys at 4wheelparts said the spacers weren't needed, but after reading about shock collapse, I was thinking the shock extensions might just be cheap insurance. I'm just shocked none of the options put things at the same distance they started.
Overall, I bought zone off road that was supposed to be new from a place in FL and the showed up beat to heck and looked used, I'm returning them and ... I'm not sure what I'm going to do, buy some make some... but I'm feeling like..."Quit over thinking this."

 

Hello, first of all, I know this was awhile ago, but thank you for taking the time to post this. I am currently looking into CB bump stop extensions. I bought the Wheelers Offroad superbump bump stops but they are just too big for the front. What was the distance in your front bump stops before the CB extensions?