Suspension Questions

I've been looking on the forums and haven't found any answers to questions I have about our Tacomas. Being new to trucks, I'm hoping that someone will have some answers to my questions.

I've got a new 2017 TRD Sport. The ride is extremely firm on the truck. I was hoping to make the ride a smoother by switching on either TRD Offroad, TRD Pro or Limited shocks and springs on my truck. I was wondering if anyone has tested the different spring rate or damping between all the different setups.

Between ICON, King, Billstein, etc, is there any data on springs rates and damping? I've been on all their websites, but can't find anything. I'd also like to NOT lift my truck. I realize there is a little rake to our truck, but I'd prefer to keep it at one of the stock ride heights.

TL;DR -> I want the softest suspension (either aftermarket or stock) at I can get with the truck sitting at stock ride height. Looking for data to show which way I should go

 

Some who have the TRD OR suspension complain that it is to soft of a ride but I think it rides really comfortable and smooth. I want to lift my TRD OR DCSB 4x4 but would hate to lose a great and comfy ride. I would find someone who replaced their stock OR ride who is selling it and put those on your truck.$.02

 

Will 2nd gen 5100s fit a 3rd gen? I read somewhere they could?

EDIT: I already have spacers and will probably keep those in since I won't have any aftermarket springs would that work as well?

 

I've got sport, to me it rides real soft/sloppy, not sure if that's the character of the long bed, or the fact I'm used to driving modded m3.
I'm surprised to hear anyone would think that it rides firm, I guess we have different definitions of ride quality

 

+1 have the OR and its SUPER smooth. I want to lift it 2" but don't want to lost this ride quality. Suggestions?

 

Besides the dampers, are the springs and sway bars different between the OR and sport? I'm guessing they are, but I want to make sure. On some of the OEM Toyota part websites, they show a few different front springs (but not which trim they belong to) and only 2 different rear leaf springs.

Are the 5100 "softer" than the OR suspension?

I'd actually say that my TRD sport has a "stiffer" ride than my FR-S on KW V3s. I was really surprised because I've driven a few different FJs and 4runners, and I figured that the Tacoma would ride similar to it.

 

i hated the way my sport rode from the factory. a big issue is crappy shocks and very heavy springs(700+lbs) stock. i went with bilstein 6112 and 5160 shocks and it made the ride about a gazillion times better. on the lowest setting it didnt lift much, maybe half an inch. dont do shocks without springs and toss your spacers if you are going for ride quality. preloading stock springs further is the opposite of what you want to do

 

X2 that's my dilemma as well, looking for 2 inches to fit my 17x9 -12 offset wheels that are still in the corner of my garage. Can't decide on which lift will stay as close to stock ride. My choices are 2" OME 887 with the softer shocks all around with 2" rear blocks/ Bilstiens all around and Toytec Boss 2.0. I've talked to many shops who said blocks in the rear will keep the stock ride as close as possible. It's just a matter of choosing what to run up front.$.02

 

I have 17x9 -12 offset rims with Cooper discovery 265/70/17 with a 2 1/2 lift and I had to do a cab mount chop because they rubbed when backing up. As far as a lift and ride comfort goes I have tried several set ups and still have not found the Cadillac ride down the road feel.

 

Tks, What are you riding, Sport/OR? 4W/2W?

 

What set ups have you tried?

 

Icons are nice.

 

You used the 2nd gen 6112?

 

yes. despite what others will say, they work excellent, bolt right in and smooth the ride right out

 

Bilstein set at 1.75 and 1/4 spacer on driver side for Taco lean. To stiff very little to no brake dive. Bilstein set at .75 3/4 inch spacer on driver side 1/2 spacer on passenger side. ride was smooth but not on big bumps. Now running Bilstein with eibach 3 inch coils set at zero. Better on big bumps and not as stiff but still to stiff for my liking

 

Tks What was stock?

 

I admire you for avoiding lift and willing to leave rake in place.

Ride quality is kinda individual taste. And a truck is well, a truck. It should be firmer. Put a couple hundred lbs of sandbags in the back and see if the ride is more suitable. (seriously) If it is, you know where your work focus is.

If you wanted something that rode like a car while sorta looking truck-ish, Honda makes what you need.

 

Yes, I know of a few members on here that went with the 2nd gen 5100s when they got their 3rd gens early this year. But Bilstein recently came out with 5100s specifically for the 3rd gens, the valving is different.

 

Stock was the stock suspension coils and shocks