Ride differences between versions?

^^^ What he said....

 

Wow! 4K on a bike in 2 weeks! You da man! That's awesome! Must have been an amazing trip!
To me it's the only way to travel, like driving through a country, not doing the whole stay in a western style hotel for tourists. I've driven for 25+ years all over Mex and Central America chasing waves...surf.
It has always been about the adventure of getting there.....
Don't go to Mex for the last 5 years....Cartels are killing innocents now....including US citizens....sucks....was my paradise.

I use to stop in Goose Island NF, a US Air Force subsidiary base...a former US SAC base when flying back and forth to Moscow, Russia on a government plane....I use to live in Moscow for work, non-military.
Beautiful area there in NF!
Really sweet you got to travel like that there!

 

Noticed your signature....thought this was applicable...

 

Good one Lee....!!

 

P-Metric Michelin LTX MS2.

 

Today I changed the stock Hitachi shocks for a set of Limited Bilsteins 5100, set at "0". The ride is a paradox - tighter, but the jittery feeling is completely gone. The truck feels more planted, and it absorbs ripples on the road. Much better overall. And also a quieter ride. Highly recommend this. Feels like a different truck.

According to Bilstein the 4600s and the 5100s are the same shock internally. The 5100s, even the Limited, are adjustable. The 4600 are standard equipment on the OR. There are several sets of 4600s for sale in TW from people who have lifted their Tacomas and they can be had for a good price. I went with the 5100s because I found them locally for a price I could not pass up, and installation is basically the same for either set. The 4600s should be standard equipment on all Tacomas.

 

Hello all,
This forum has been a great help so thanks to everyone! I appreciate the help for a newb.

Question - so if I JUST change my taco 2017 sport shocks out to the 4600s or 5100s will this give me a less bumpy ride every time I hit a road bump or pot hole? Like smitty said it feels like my sport rides like a horse and buggy wagon. Others suggested changing my tires, shocks, coil springs. Just trying to find out what has actually worked for others on the sport model.
Thanks for the help!

 

If you're close to a dealership just go test ride an OR to see if you like the difference. The only major ride differences is the suspension and tires. If you like the ride better, pick up some take offs

 

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Hello R2D2 I am kinda new to this forum. hope its ok to contact you. I read your post about changing your shocks to blisteins 5100. I have a 2017 taco sport ext cab and the ride is very stiff - meaning that every time I go over road bumps you feel all of them while in the cab. The ride is very stiff and bumpy. If I change all 4 shocks on my sport to the Blisteins 5100s would that make the ride softer so you wont feel as many potholes and road bumps? it sounds like this is what yo did that's why I am asking. Thank you for any advice you can offer. this is my first truck so I am not sure if I should change tires, shock, springs.... if I could just change the shocks that would b great - thank you
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I have been very happy with the 5100s. They take the harshness from the ride, no doubt. The Hitachis have less compliance than the Bilsteins in the first 2" of compression, and the difference between the two shocks in my opinion is significant. My son has a 2016 OR, and I drove my Limited and his OR back to back, and noticed a significant difference in how much smoother the ride in the OR was. At first I thought that the difference was at least in part due to the 18" wheels and 60 series tires in the Limited, so I was running my tires at 29 psi, but the ride was still harsh, and the whole truck shook with any ripples on the road even at 29 psi. So it had to be the shocks. It's a much more compliant ride now, even with the tires at 37psi, which I think is too much but it's what my local Toyota dealer recommends.
According to Bilstein the 5100 and the 4600 are the same shocks inside, different material outside. The 4600s are the standard equipment in the TRD OR, and you can find those used, low miles, from many people in this forum who have lifted their ORs for not much money. I went with the 5100s instead of the 4600s because the local modification shop made me an offer I could not refuse.

I don't think there's a significant difference in the springs between the different Tacoma models. I opted for the 5100 Limited, that have no lift. There are other models of 5100s that have up to 1.75" of lift, if you're thinking of lifting your truck in the future. However, if you are going to lift your truck in the future, you may consider the 5160s, which is what many people use for lifts of 2-2.5". If you are not going to do much challenging off-road the 4600s or the 5100s should be enough. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. If I can be of any more help, don't hesitate to ask.

 

Did you use the 5100s in the front and back - (did you replace all 4 shocks) or was it just in the front of the truck?
Thank you

 

All 4. I wouldn't mix Bilsteins with the Hitachi.

 

I have to say I'm very impressed with the ride on my SR with the stock black shocks, seems just right not too soft not to stiff. Soaks up the big bumps pretty good and feels solid.

 

Look at post #61 in this thread. There's someone selling a set of 4600s for $100. That's a good deal. There's a buy-sell-trade thread in this forum where I'm sure you can find similar deals. It's the same shock as the 5100s. They are not adjustable. That's what I would have bought had I not gotten such a good deal on the 5100s. The local mod shop was stuck with a preordered set when someone instead upgraded to a set of Kings. A set of Kings is 4x more $, and there are for people who are going to do serious off-roading.

 

Did you replace the shocks? How's the ride if you did?

 

Taco Sport looking fir a smoother ride, get the Bilstiens 5100's 3rd generation. I have a 2016 TRD OR DBL cab. Big seat in the pants difference, much smoother, better ride.

 

So, I put 17k miles on my 2016 DCSB 4x4 SR5 since new. I like the ride, I think it's plush and comfortable.

Trade it in for a new 17 TRD offroad. The suspension is stiffer but still plush. The steering wheel is a little harder to turn. The brake are stiffer. Overall the TRD offroad is more sporty handling than the SR5. I like both trucks but enjoy driving the TRD offroad more.

I have not driven a TRD Sport.