Smoooth

Hey Guys my 79 year old Dad drives a 2012 Extra Cab TRD 4wd and wants a smoother ride. He drives unpaved roads everyday and substandard blacktops. He said he could " fix it" by buying a Tundra , LOL, but he likes his Tacoma. Thoughts / Ideas / recipes ?
Thanks for all the GREAT pics and Threads !

 

Kings long travel set up...JUST DO IT

 

Welcome to TW!
Kings set up Or full icon stage 2 or stage 3 set up

 

I honestly don't know if it's possible to make the tacoma feel like riding on a cloud smooth unless maybe you did go with a long travel setup and got it all dialed in. By nature, aftermarket suspension tends to have even higher spring rates than stock which while may come in handy off road seem to have the opposite effect on road. Sudden bumps such as potholes or cracks in the pavement would likely become more obvious with coilovers and such. This is just my guess however as I have only had the pleasure to ride in a few different setups with icon, fox and king so my opinion is limited.

 

Thanks for the input Guys ! I know KINGS will get it done, looking for all options first.

 

Send us pics for the before and after once project is completed.

 

lincoln or cadillac should make a pickup...

 

ADS​

 

Larger diameter tires roll over obstacles more smoothly. A little less air in those tires makes for a buttery smooth ride. On long drives over rough roads I air my 255/85/16 tires down to 30 psi (normally drive them at 40 - 45). It makes a HUGE difference.

 

The Tacoma does ride smooth. If he wants smoother he needs to consider not having a truck at all.

 

If he gets the ride all super smooth it will sag pretty bad if tries to haul anything.

 

OME with softer-rate springs is a less expensive option and won't be buttah-smoov, but will make washboards and substandard blacktop more pliant.

And +1 on fiddling with tire pressures.

 

Lincoln did, for 3 years

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Mark_LT

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/lincoln-mark-lt-pickup/6220760610.html

 

well how bout that!

 

Excellent advice. Well put

 

Thanks Guys, The air pressure is a good option to look into.
My built '85 on 37's rides smooooth w 12psi but that's not good on the highway. I also have a 2010 Raceway blue, 4 door TRD Taco , a 2009 F350 srw CC diesel 4x4, a 2005 F150 STX 4x4, and a 2001 F250 on 39's. I love Toyota's as does my Dad , BUT , TRD Tacoma's are not smooth riding off - road. The 01 F250 is like driving a sofa, the F 350 rides very good, the '85 rides pretty darn good for what it is, the F150 is stiff, and the 2010 Tacoma is agile, nimble,fun and rough riding at slow speeds off road.
My 79 year old Father says his TRD truck smooths out at about 35mph on washed board and bumpy dirt roads. He enjoys driving slowly through the farm and woods early in the mornings and his truck rides ROUGH and he feels all the bumps at 15 mph. His '89 rode much better.
I am looking into a OME kit for him.
Thanks

 

My Dad has driven more miles off-road than Ivan Stewart ! He has owned many new trucks of all varieties , yet loves Toyota's the most. He wishes Toyota still made small trucks, instead of mid size Tacoma's.
His truck gets washed and serviced regularly, yet stays dirty, because he drives Off - Road EVERYDAY ! He knows his TRD Sport was made to hammer on, but he bought it , just like most do, because it was cool and sporty. It rides rough. Perhaps you should quit taking pics of your truck and venture out more ....He already has an Avalon.

 

The sport has a stiffer suspension. A progressive setup would work well for him (Fox, King, ADS) but the digressive Icon may be too stiff for his liking.

PM Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. She'll get you a proper setup at a good price.

I'm running Fox 2.5 extended travel coilovers with the swaybar removed and a Dakar leaf pack with the 3rd leaf removed and Fox 2.0 remote reservoir shocks and happy with the off-road ride.

 

If I wanted to off-road, I would have bought a Jeep, not a TRUCK. I have zero interest in off-roading. Zero. I'd rather stab pencils in my thigh and see how many fit before I bleed to death.

 

Like stickyTaco said,the Sports have higher spring rates than the OR. I would look into a coilover setup,but it'll cost ya.