Why is my ride so damn rough?

Ya know, I've been thinking about it and it occurred to me, that the springs actually could be part of the issue as well, depending. If they are All Pros, they might be the Expo packs which would be a little stiffer than the standards since they are built to carry more regular weight. That doesn't negate the lack of bump stops and the issue of topping out the shocks on a hard bump (these things still need to be addressed), but it could be a contributing factor.

Edit: I don't know off hand how you would identify the difference between AP standard packs and Expo packs though.

Also, the valving in the shocks could be all wrong for the truck. That would make it ride like crap too. Only way to check would be to get the model/part numbers off them and pull up the specs then compare the valving to the valving on a set of the same model Fox shocks made specifically for a stock Tacoma.

Yeah, I tend to monitor my tire pressure pretty regularly, though it's not really out of any vigilance on my part, haha. I just don't drive the truck much unless I'm going wheeling and then I air down to wheel and have to air back up again for the trip home, so the net result is the tire pressure gets checked a lot more often than it would otherwise.

Funny thing is, I've had these tires on the truck for 4 years and they only have about 5500 miles on them. They are pretty chewed up from wheeling, but I don't think I'm going to have to worry about them going bald. They'll dry-rot before that happens. I got 9 years out of my last set of Intercos before they rotted and started separating. I'm hoping for similar results out of these LTBs.

 

Post some more pics at a different angle, or take a measure of the top of the shock to the bed. Hopefully you'll just need to push the shock mount upwards. Not that it's that easy lol

 

Also looking at the picture, reservoirs are about 6 inches long, at least on my kings. And the shock is not quite double the size of the reservoir. So I'm going to go with ten inch travel shocks. That being said, I bet you could get away with just cutting the old tabs off, and again assuming that the tube is about 1 1/2-1 3/4 OD, and welding new tabs about 2"-2 1/2" long to the top of the tube, you should be able to gain those two inches you need. This is all also assuming that the current setup would work fine with 8" shocks. Is the crossbar that the tabs are welded to bolted or welded on?

 

I believe it's welded

 

So you'll have to remove the bed to access the shock mounts, if you weld new ones

 

Not that removing the bed is difficult. 6 bolts hold it on and you just have to remove the tail lights and unplug the wiring harnesses followed by removing the little shroud around the fuel cap which is only 4 screws. Then you just need a buddy or three to help lift the bed off, but two people can do it if you're young and stout. When I did mine, since I'm old and frail, I called in local TW support. 5 guys showed up to help take it off and six showed up to help put it back on. Made things very easy.

 

When I took my bed off I had to do it by myself xD with a little help from physics and his friend leverage I was able to do it lol. Very very slowly

 

Just another reason why life sucks when you're alone and friendless...

Haha. Just kidding. There's no TW folks within driving distance of you? I thought Cali had a pretty large membership, but I guess it is a pretty big state.

 

Not that I know of, closest are in Sacramento about 2 hours away

 

Any who, OP can you weld or be willing to try to tackle the job yourself?

 

Well that sucks. Need to start recruiting.

I think he said he had a buddy that works in a fab shop.

 

BAM! Let me know when you get it and if it works bro!
And BTW, you gave me the wrong zip, but I googled your addy so no problem. Nice house BTW

 

Oh they could both get the bed of and welding new tabs in a day, should be pretty easy.

I missed it, what are you sending him?

 

U bolt for a U bolt flip.
Just the bolts. Was a hair too small for my 2nd gen so hopefully it'll fit the first gen axle.

 

Oh right on!!
Super cool of you, what's the reason for the flip kit? Sorry didn't feel like scrolling through the pages

 

Cause all the cool kids have flip kits
Not sure. Tako no baka suggested them and some aftermarket bump stops.

 

Well, the flip kit is mainly for clearance and the I'm not sure how bump stops will help the travel of his shocks. Bumps would be more of a bandaid repair instead of fixing the mount location.

 

Yeah need to move the shocks for sure, but he will also want to add bumpstops before the shocks get damaged once they have been relocated.

 

Very true. So OP could your fabricator friend be able to help you with this? Could be a very quick fix if he/she is experienced and has metal already

 

He's almost there already and it's better than the factory setup. More clearance, and the top plates are stronger than the factory bottom plate thing. Especially since he's getting the ubolts free and the pure beef Ruff Stuff top plates are only ~$40. I suggested it because he needs to get some bump stops in there so he could take the spring packs apart and measure the distance between his upper and lower shock mounts with the suspension fully compressed to figure out how long a shock he can run...even after he has the mounts relocated.