Hard Ride 2016 SR5

I just purchased a 2016 Tacoma SR5
The ride is way too firm compared to another Tacoma TRD 2014 that also own
Any thoughts about what I can do to get a similar softer ride ?

 

They have different shocks. Also check you tire pressure. Too many are coming out of the dealer with high PSI.

 

+1 on the tire pressure. I've tried a few different psi settings just to see how it effected ride and fuel economy. A few psi seems to make a huge difference in ride quality. Try dropping a couple of psi out of the tires.

 

Tire pressure but also the shocks and springs on SR5, Sport and Limited are all stiffer than the TRDOR

 

Is it possible to change the ride by changing the shocks ?
If so what do you recommend ?
I will check tire pressure first.

 

Rear leaf springs would be first thing to go in my opinion. 10 pack of deavers full replacement ~$800 in parts. Then I'd add coil overs fox or king maybe icons with rear shocks. Stage 1 kit with little to no lift maybe ~1" over OEM height just to level things out. Then you'll be rocking.

 

Could buy someone's TRD OR bilstein stock suspension shocks and springs too off a newer truck. There plenty of guys selling them like new just so they can drop high end suspension into their new ride. It would still be a decent improvement over SR5 IMO

 

I upgraded to Bilsteins and it improved the ride greatly over the stock shocks.

 

I had almost 40 PSI in my tires cold. I drove it a week like that after I bought it then checked and lowered them. Made a huge difference.

 

Your observation is correct. Besides the tire pressure, could be the brand of tire (firestone destination le2 on my SR5 ). I plan to upgrade tire (brand and size) soon and ride quality will alter afterwards.

"Different shocks" is the kind code for crappy. I feel the ride is much more firm too, but that's my style.

Does SR5 still mean Sport Rally 5 speed? No manual transmission available or even a 5 speed auto in the SR5.

 

SR5 used to mean "Sport Rally 5 Speed" when it first came out. Now it only signifies the accessory package the truck comes with. There's nothing wrong with the Firestone's if the correct pressure is ran.

 

Bilsteins are superior for offroad handling to the Hitachi shocks that come on the Sport and whatever comes on the SR5. However, if you're in the market for new suspension there are better options than the stock Bilsteins for not much added cost.

 

How much tire pressure you guys recommend? Same on all four tires?

 

The dealer has been putting the same in all 4. I asked them why they put 34-35psi vs what is on the door placard and they said it was determined to run higher pressure. So 34 PSI all around should be good. It will increase your gas mileage but will give you a slightly bouncier ride.

 

In my personal experience, LT tires have a harder ride that P tires. If you have LTs I would be that has more to do with it than the shocks and springs....

 

my crappy ride quality was mostly caused by overinflated tires + ridiculously loose U-bolts in the rear... rides much smoother now , but I have the stock OR setup which is meant to be softer