Improving ride comfort

I have a 2017 Taco Sport 4x4 double cab 6ft box. We bought it new in late December 2017 and have driven 19.000 km thus far. The truck has always been less than comfortable but since I had a back injury early this year I have been avoiding the Taco as much as I can. On the highway its not too bad but city streets with bumps and manhole covers make driving much less than pleasant. At time when I see a bump coming I lean forward to try and take pressure off my back. I am thinking of trading it in for a Colorado or Canyon as they have far more comfortable seats and suspension but before I do so I figure let's see if someone has any ideas on improving the ride. Tires are at 29 lbs, which is too low really but its what the manufacturer suggests and higher pressure makes the problem worse.
Now the strange thing is that the Taco springs are poor and do not handle weight well but still there is this stiffness problem. Is it the shocks? Tires are stock. I have both sets of wheels, Sport and Off Road. Any thoughts? Replacing shocks is likely the cheapest option but would it make an appreciable difference?

 

Anything with leaf springs will be rough.

Try looking for TRD offroad shocks used, they ride much softer and its the #2 reason I chose the offroad model.

 

Simple. Change shocks to offroad model. Much softer. Probably find free takeoffs in BST.

 

I am thinking you need a 1980's Lincoln Continental.

 

Also, look for 16” takeoff wheels from a Offroad with the higher profile stock tires rather than the thinner profile tires of the sport. They will be softer, even when at the correct air pressure.

 

FOX suspension.
Mine rides fantastic now. Before it was bumpy.

 

Put a few bags of dirt on the deck.

 

Some weight in the rear of the bed might help. You could test it using inexpensive bags of concrete mix from your local home supply store. If it helps and you want something more long term, change to ballast bags designed for wave runners. I suggest trying around 150 lbs.

 

Dood, know exactly what you're describing but I don't have any discomfort other than...I love how the sport suspension handles but a stiff back end. Like others said, toss 200 -300 lbs in the back and see if that is more a favourable feel to it. If it does, it did to me, here's what I have done and you're more than halfway there.

Put the OR 16 wheels on. Taller sidewall than the 17 sports. (You say you have already)
Bilstein 5100 under rear (200$ upgrade)
Leave front suspension as is (free)

I really like the blend of the wheel and 5100 change with stock front end.

Small $$ vs trade for z72

Edit: I would be remiss if I didn't post the case of musicosis that I got when I read this post

 

I have the sr5 and have a back problem. The sr5 was was soft and bouncy, was only able to sit for a hour at a time. I changed over to the bilstein 5100s and the ride became much better.

 

What settings did you use in the front? Add a leaf in the back?

 

Ridgeline

 

Pfft, beat ya to the answer, AND added a relevant vid...gauntlet tossed!

 

I had them set to the first clip, added a extra overload leaf and a 1inch block in the back.

 

Remove the sport suspension. (It is designed to be rougher). Find someone who upgraded their OR and you will get a win win.

Or upgrade completely to a performance system. Research digressive shocks as they are tuned for this. Lastly keep it simple.

 

This was my one complaint with the sport while I had it. Now the off road rides 100% better for me.

 

If you lived closer I would just give you my OR takeoffs...They're just sitting there taking up space.

 

Strangely enough, I kept the stock wheels, but replaced the OEM Firestone Destination LE2s (cracks in tread) with Destination A/T2s 265/65R17 (stock size) and they seem to ride much better. TP is 33-34 psi when warm (30 psi cold). I also plan on changing shocks to Bilstein 5100s front and 5160s rear.

 

I find the heated leather seats also help with “ride comfort”. I use mine almost every day for my back issues.

 

I think I seen that dog in real life, either that it was another 2 leg dog walking like that. the owner said it was a birth defect, and the dog learned to walk standing up. no where near as fast as the gif,