Swap TRD Sport for TRD Off-Road Shocks/Springs

I have been contemplating this for some time. I have a 2017 TRD Sport, and I would like a bit softer ride. I see lots of TRD Off-Road Take-Offs locally on FB Marketplace or Craigslist. These include the front shocks/springs already assembled and the rear shocks. Has anybody done this? I assume it is an easy swap for the typical garage mechanic as you don't have to take the whole suspension apart. I would also assume an alignment for good measure would be in order. Any Sport people done this and then wished you kept your sport shocks? I drive mainly on highways and county roads here in Colorado, BUT, that being said, some of these county roads are an adventure on their own..... Thanks!

 

I’d upgrade to the 5100s over stock used trds personally or go 6112s with 5160s in the rear. Just my two cents. The offroad will have a stiffer ride. The stiffer ride would be better all around because you would increase control. As for install it’s beyond easy and there are tons of videos on it

 

My understanding, the SPORT has the Hitachi shocks, which are a stiffer "Sport-Tuned" shock vs. the Bilstein that the Off-Road uses. The Off-Road has a softer rebound for more off-road articulation properties over Sport-Tuned for Highway cornering etc. If I am wrong, I would be going even further backwards than what I have now if it would be stiffer.

 

Unless they were very cheap I'd go with something like the guy selling you the shocks went with (better).

 

This seems to be contradicting statements.

 

“It” was supposed to be “Not.” My phone changes those words for no reason lol. Just a typo

 

Honestly I would get some 5100s they are cheap and better then the sport and offroad shocks. Can do similar rear. The 5100s are also adjustable for leveling or mild lift if you ever wanted. For the price it’s a good option

 

OP, sounds like a reasonable proposition, especially if you can acquire some OR shocks at a good price. The other angle you may take is to get meatier tires (vs. "low profile" tires on Sport models)

 

I did it, and I'd do it again.

It made the ride a bit more plush, no more teeth rattling. It won't carve corners as well as it did with the stock suspension, but does that really matter in a truck? The swap is easy with hand tools, but you will need a breaker bar and a good torque wrench.

This video will help you when you swap out the front suspension:



I made sure that none of the alignment marks moved, didn't bother with an alignment, and with over 10K miles since the swap, I have no unusual tire wear. I have rotated the tires once over that time.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to get a reply from somebody that has done it. I have seen the complete Off-Road parts around here for $100.

 

I've done it. Strange that people would steer you towards stiffer shocks when you asked for more ride comfort. The OR shocks and springs will do what you want. I personally don't notice any significant increase in wallowing or body roll. You should be able to get very low mileage front strut assemblies and rear shocks for $200-250. Thats a pretty damn cheap mod. I think it took me about an hour and a half from getting the truck up on stands to lowering it back down on the new suspension. Mine were basically brand new take offs. Think I paid $250ish shipped from ebay. Personally, I hope to keep seeing nearly new take-offs for the foreseeable future, since $200 every 80K miles keeps me on nice fresh suspension.

If you asked about more plush at high speeds offroad, then I could see going with the upper spec Bilstiens. The OR shocks are probably too plush for big hits and end up blowing through to the stops.

BTW...no alignment needed if you dont touch the LCA alignment bolts. I didn't touch them. Pretty sure I popped the UCA ball joints and that gave me enough room to fish the assemblies out.

Don't do the final torque in the lower end of the strut until you lower the truck back down on to the wheels. No need jack the LCA like on the OME video.

 

The Factory Off Road has a softer ride, the Sport has the stiff ride.

 

I’ve been thinking about doing this when I hit 50k on the truck (around summer time). Are the Sport and OR springs the same?

 

Fronts are different. Its best to get the fronts as an assembly. The rear springs I believe are the same, or at least not different enough to mess with. Just swap the rear shocks.

 

That’s odd to me. Wife’s sport road like a Cadillac super soft and floaty. Can’t imagine it being softer than that

 

The Sport is harsh and jittery over rough pavement, the OR is a bit more plush.

 

I'd heard that too going in and assumed it would ride like my GTI. Thankfully it is much plusher. So it depends somewhat on what vehicle you are coming from.

 

Definitely when comparing to different style vehicles. It's always good for potential Tacoma owners to drive different models to see what works for them.

 

The OR will have a bit more nosedive on braking and while the OR shocks will certainly cushion the impacts from uneven pavement, it will come with quite a bit of travel in the truck itself. It will soften the ride but there will be bouncing and more side-to-side body role and whatnot. Overall I like the OR suspension for what it is - it really excels on moderate washboard at a bit of speed or gravel but still isn't terribly civilized on pavement IMHO.

I resigned to get at least 40k out of the stock shocks before upgrading. Most likely will do a 6112/5160 swap in the next few months - will make it easier to get my wife to be OK with going offroad when we are in the mountains

 

I personally wouldn't do it. The 5100s made my sport ride a lot better, handles great, got some lift from the shocks.