Sequoia Platinum Suspension Upgrade

Hello All,
We wanted to share our recent experience with upgrading the suspension components on our 2013 Sequoia Platinum. We definitely wanted to thank all the prior posts in regards to "Sequoia Mods"! In all we replaced front strut assembly, installed upper control arms, installed TRD front sway bar, replaced rear shocks, installed TRD rear sway bar, installed rear shock extension, and installed the Tandem Offroad Rear Lift system. We did want our local Tire shop to install the front strut assembly (Bilstein 6112 & Bilstein springs) & Bilstein B8 Upper control arms. Here are the parts I ordered off Amazon for the bushings & endlinks for the sway bars:



First, we installed the front TRD sway bar. This is pretty straightforward, although I do need to go back and check the torque. At the time, I was just trying to get it done. The front TRD sway bar makes a huge difference (greatly reduces roll and tightens the steering).





We then moved to the rear to replace the rear sway bar. Everything was going great, but I could not get the drive shaft down. Placed in N, could rotate, but would not come down. Used a pry bar for about 10-20 minutes, but it wouldn't budge. Sprayed penetrator on it let it set overnight, still would not come down. At this point, I said Eff it and moved on, leaving this to the Tire Shop.




Next we tackled the Rear Lift system from Tandem Off-Road. Toughest part of this is getting the Air bag back into position once the "puck" is installed. Our Sequoia is set on the #2 ride height arm. Don't have the numbers, but I believe its around 3in lift with the Rear Lift system. These were helpful videos I used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9jfJ9QoQTw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5NzEP1quEU








After the Rear Lift, we installed our Bilstein 5100s to the rear with Dobinson Shock Extensions. The 5100s make a vast improvement to the suspension over the stock. Ofcourse the stock shocks were deteriorated because the vehicle is over 100k miles. Regardless, the 5100s are great!






For the final piece of this build, we took the Sequoia to our local Tire shop to install the Bilstein 6112 strut assembly with the Bilsten B8 Upper Control Arms, and to finish the install of the TRD rear sway bar. The Tire shop also provided an alignment with these new components. The Bilstein 6112s are set on the second clip for 2.75in lift. With everything installed, I'm thrilled. There is no more body roll, it corners greats, steering is tight, and the front and rear eat all the dips/potholes in the road. It's like driving a new SUV. Highly recommend getting these components replaced as it makes a world of a difference.

 

Thanks for posting mj7juice! I am a new member with a 2013 Sequoia Platinum that I bought used with about 60,000 miles on it. I bought it for towing a trailer and have put about 40,000 miles since buying it in 2020. At the time I bought it my mechanic said it looked like new including the suspension system. On a recent camping trip I had to replace the starter and then had to get both car and trailer towed due to a thermostat failure on the radiator (I replaced thermostat, cap, radiator and main hoses). This experience caused me to wonder if anything else should be done to avoid a repeat of the towing experience. I thought about the suspension. It drives tight and levels up fine and my mechanic says everything still looks OK but I don't want to be towing 5000 lbs. if something on the suspension fails. From your post this looks like a big expensive job to replace all components including air bags, struts/shocks, sway bars etc. I'm wondering if I have to do it all at once or if there is one item I can replace that will assure drivability at least--eg air bags only or upgraded struts/shocks only.

BTW when you replaced the air bags did you replace the compressor and lines too?

Thanks so much!

Terri

 

Hey Terri, pray all is well. Hope you are enjoying your Platinum, we love it. We did not replace the rear airbags. We purchased “pucks” that go underneath the air bags to provide about 2.5in lift. We love the airbags due to the leveling feature. I believe this would also be great for you to keep air bags if you are towing as it will keep it level. If you replace it with springs, there would be sag I believe from weight of towing.


Just to help you ballpark costs:
Rear Bilstein 5100 shocks $300
Rear TRD Sway Bar $100
Rear Air Spring lift pucks $350
Front TRD Sway Bar $150
Front Bilstein 6112 Strut (Spring & Shock) $750
Front Bilstein Upper Control Arms $700

Expensive upgrades but well worth it, no regrets. I think you would greatly benefit from the sway bars due to it stiffening the ride while you are towing gives you more control and feels planted.