2003 Taco - Need suspension for Oil Field

Hey everyone. I bought a 2003 Tacoma 4x4 a few months back.. and while i like the truck i cant help but hate it also :-/


I work in the Oil Field and I drive about 200 miles on the freeway to get to work and then another 30 miles on ROUGH dirt roads complete with massive/large/medium/small pot holes, tons of washboards and just nasty stuff...

I am sick to death of having my back hurt and feel like i just had the crap beat out of me by time i get to work.. I MUST make this truck drive smoother or else its gotta go..

Please forgive me because i am knew to Tacoma's and trucks in general (car guy).. I have not done anything to the truck, it was all done prior and i bought it this way. maybe you guys can tell me whats done to it and why its riding so damn rough??

Also i don't want to spend a few grand on suspension being as this is a Rig beater truck.. but what can i do to get the best ride for the cheapest buck and keep my current tires 235/85/18?

Truck has 112k miles
dealer told me it has brand new Rancho shocks on the front
Rears appear to be Stock? and shot.. back end bounces like crazy on the freeway.
small body lift?


















The front shocks still seem perfectly fine? i actually just realized they can be adjusted via the red knob? maybe i need to toy with it?

The worst seems to be coming from the back.. what are some nice rear shocks i could put on that will fit with the body lift?

 

The knob on the front shocks is likely a compression adjuster and will change how your shocks dampen the springs. Messing with the knob could help your situation as far as the front is concerned. For the rear, the Bilstein shocks are actually decent shocks, maybe look into Bilstein HD's to retain a stock-ish ride.

Side note, there's no way I'd want to take your truck down any sort of rough or washboard road with that make-shift body lift. I don't know what your cab mounts look like but the shot you posted of the rear doesn't look like anything I'd want on my truck...

 

you can see the cab mounts in the very last picture. they appear to be an actual kit... Like i said i didn't do anything on the truck.. and was forced to purchase a truck with the cash i had in one afternoon due to my job.. it was a rush buy and im trying to enjoy the truck and not feel down about it :-/

 

Since you had no say in what came with the truck, what tires are on it? I can't even find anything in the size you mentioned but if they really are 235's and they're a truck tire, there's a high chance that they have a high load rating. What that means for your back is they have a stiff sidewall and can make washboard roads an absolute hell because there is very little sidewall flex.

I would start by researching your front shocks a bit and find out what that dial does and see how adjustments impact the ride. For the rear, are the shocks shot or do they still have life left in them?

As far as your body lift, I've never seen a kit that requires you to weld lift blocks to the frame, that's why I made the comment about 'makeshift'. The bed support looks custom made.

 

I appreciate your responses! Here are the tires.

 

Op, I run 235's as well. Wha pressure do you run in the tires?

 

See if you can get an MFG/brand name off those front coilovers for us. can't tell what they are, or if the coils or OEM or aftermarket.

The rear is stock leaf pack (in typical flattening out fashion) and original TRD HD Bilsteins, which are worn out by now. Just replacing the rear shocks with the same type would help tremendously.

For washboard and the like, you could spend just a hair over $1k for a full OME kit, which is new coil springs, leaf springs, and shocks, and other minor goodies.

$1130. This is a quality lift that would last another 100k miles and be very well suited to your needs. And if you had to sell, a knowledgable buyer would appreciate this upgrade.

If you go this route with stronger-than-stock coils (in the kit above), you could consider removing the swaybar for soaking up bumps in the front better, but coringin/body lean will be increased a bit. But do not do this with stock coils.

And as Mike said, look into removing that dodgy body lift.

 

This is going to sound terrible.. but i have no idea :-/ i literally bought the truck and was forced straight back to work.. I am at work for 24 days out of the month and stay on location.. still that shouldn't be an excuse for not knowing my tire pressure.. especially as it could have a lot to do with the roughness..


The rear shocks i would say are shot.. i can press down on the back of my tailgate and the truck will bounce.

 

Get rid of the body lift, now. You could get a full OME setup for under 1k bucks, but I bet a full long travel would make it feel like you were driving a Lexus through clouds on that terrain.

 

You're running load range E tires, those would be at home on a 3/4 ton diesel, not your Tacoma and can definitely be a factor in how your truck rides. The good news is, those are expensive tires so if you decided to go to a different tire, you could sell those off or trade them with someone local for some softer riding tires.

 

I generally run 38psi and it does ok for a second gen. And the shocks I would replace with oem shocks, you seem to be doing alot of highway miles so a lift is probably not worth it.
And as others have said, if you get a chance remove the body lift it seem sketchy.

 

OEM shocks, should make ride better

 

I appreciate your help very much.. i will get the tire pressure checked and look into swapping tires..

after doing some digging.. it appears i have these
http://www.gorancho.com/shocks.php?shock=RS9000XL

ill go do some messing around with the adjuster and see how it changes the ride..

For the rears are billstein the best bet?

 

I run E rated on my rig. Yes it is rougher but if the right tire pressure is found they aren't horrible. And being a 10 ply tire its gonna take alot for him to get flats. Which is a good thing where he is at.

 

I do a lot of highways that is correct..

I would honestly love to toss the long travel suspension under it but im not sure i can justify the cost being as i tend to get rid of vehicles frequently.

 

That is very true.. the roads are terrible and I am constantly taking rough hits and the tires take a lot of abuse.. Ill get the PSI checked ASAP for all i know they are maxed out

 

It's alot of maintance too. I would keep it basic and keep it stock. Yes, I know it won't ride as nice but it will be reliable.

 

Slow down? It's not a trophy truck

 

I have to have reliability that is my number 1 concern.. Especially with my job.. Just looking for a smoother ride is all.. or else she might get sold for a Raptor!

slowing down is an answer.. But when you have been away from your wife at a months time..and its finally time to go home, slowing down usually isnt easy haha

 

It's not easy lmao
If your'e gonna buy a raptor may as well lt the truck
Go find the pressure of the tires and that could help also