REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

I put 2017 TRD OR shocks and front springs on my 2008 DCLB V6 4x4 with TSB 4-pack springs+AAL spring, drove a bit, and found the setup to be "wobbly" like a bowl of jello compared to the Bilstein 5100s with 100k miles that the new setup replaced. I put the old 5100's back on and the truck is much more composed with less jello-jiggle when going over rough roads. I think the TRD shocks have slightly softer, but less sophisticated damping than my old 5100s. New 5100's will be installed shortly.

Long story short, my preference is Bilstein 5100 over the 3rd gen TRD OR yellow "Bilsteins" when using factory TRD springs.

 

So 3rd gens basically gives 1” of lift, if i put them on 2nd gen 5100 on 3rd clip which is what I’m running now on stock 2nd gen trd sport coils I should go from 1.75 to 2.75 or would I have to put them on 4th clip to achieve max lift on 5100’s?

 

I think that would be an accurate assumption. The thing you'll have to worry about with 3rd gen springs on 5100's at around 2.75"-3" of lift is down travel...you may be at the limit of extension travel for the 5100. Also you'll likely have to run upgraded UCA's due to the added travel. However, if you have added weight (bumper, winch, etc) the additional spring rate will help offset the load.

 

Awww. Good point with the 5100’s. I’m not planning on adding any weight to the front end so looks like I’ll be bringing the 5100’s up to highest clip an maybe a spacer to go up to around 3”. I’m trying to fit 285’s

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Just installed 3rd gen Bilsteins on my 15 DCLB thanks to this thread and @jtaco11 for the take offs

installed 1/4” spacers from wheelers and netted 1 1/2” up front based on existing conditions of 100k suspension

21” front
22 1/2” rear (firestone air bags)

Rides like a new truck and the added 1 1/2” up front looks much better. Couldn’t be more pleased. Great deal. Great upgrade. Thanks

 

I was looking for this thread a bit ago- even used the search and couldn't find it.

Anyways- I finally had the 3rd gen suspension installed. 2018 Off Road front and rear suspension including leaf springs, all of it in like new condition. Truck rides better, sits more level and looks as if you can actually carry a load now (haven't tried it yet), but the best part is the better rear springs have eliminated a lot of my vibrations. I have not checked the driveline angles yet- but I am hopeful that I can adjust the height of the carrier bearing, use shims to adjust the pinion angle and if that doesn't get rid of the last of the vibrations then I will get the custom rear driveshaft made with the dual carbon joint.

Great upgrade for cheap.

 

Did you go from 2nd gen TSB springs to 3rd gen? Or from the original 2nd gen leaf springs to 3rd gen? My understanding was that the 3rd gen leaf springs are identical to the 2nd gen TSB springs.

 

That's a ton of work to replace an OEM suspension with an OEM suspension. This man is die hard!

 

Mine is a 2012 Access cab- not sure that the TSB covers these yet? All I know is that the old springs were flat/ negative with no load in it and even a small load made it feel like the front wheels were coming off the ground.

No really that difficult- the fronts are like quick struts with the shock/ coil spring/ upper shock mount all assembled. 3 bolts on the top and one bolt on the bottom plus what needs moved for access. The rear is not technically difficult just heavy springs to handle. Truck only has 80,000 kms/ ~50,000 miles and I sprayed penetrating oil on every bolt involved before I took it to my friend to switch it out. Only paid $320 CDN total for the suspension and some for my friend to install and then the alignment. Not a ton of work for such a big improvement.

 

Thats awesome!! I never thought about the leaf springs, mainly because often times (locally anyways) many do not replace the leaf springs when doing a lift. I wonder if there would be much difference on the 2012-2015 tacomas to the 3rd gen leafs? From what I understand the in the 12-15's they had fitted the "tsb" leaf springs.

 

2005 TRD Sport with a new frame and 5100’s. Just had some 2019 springs installed and the truck rides better than it ever did. It’s level with about 1 1/2 lift due to the extra leaf and the 5100 set one notch up and the fact that the newer springs add a little height as well. Truck is level and looks and rides like new.

 

My truck is a 2012 Off Road, Access cab and the old leaf springs were very weak- they were not just flat- they were negative. Doubt my 2012 had the TSB leafs. I couldn't carry any weight without lifting the front wheels nearly off the ground. Have not had a load on the new springs yet.

Still need to play with the drive line angles to try to get rid of the remainder of the vibrations. Add or remove washers to space the carrier bearing- or 1, 2 or 3 degree shims and if that doesn't fix the vibrations then it's a custom driveshaft with a dual carton joint.

 

Greetings, I’m planning on upgrading my 13 TRD sport suspension to an 18 TRD sport suspension. You mentioned that you’ve “had both,” which did you prefer? Were you content with switching to the 3rd gen sport suspension or did you go back to your original 2nd gen suspension because the ride on the 3rd gen suspension was “too stiff”? The majority of these reviews are for the OR switch. I appreciate your insights, thank you!

 

I was just going to ask you if the springs off the 3rd gen would fit on my 2006. I found a complete front and rear removal for a great price. Just need to know if the rear springs will fit.
Also what is this TSB leaf spring???
Thanks.

 

Yes, rear leaf springs will work. They are different part numbers but supposedly they are identical in how they fit and function.

There was a TSB (technical service bulletin) on the springs that came on the 2nd gen tacomas. There were issues with them sagging so Toyota made a new, replacement spring that could be installed in place of the OEM ones. Many people see a little lift with these springs due to their old springs having sagged. I believe the original design was 3 leaf whereas the TSB is 4 leaf.

 

Sweet. That should make this truck much better.

 

Were they the Sport springs or the Off Road springs?

 

Since I am entirely a pavement princess I light the sports suspension. Less floating. Less corner rolling.
If this truck was to become more of an off-road truck then I would probably return to the orginal setup.

 

Sport

 

Hey! I just got TRD Bilstein coil overs and rear leafs and shocks from 3rd Gen TRD 2019. I have a 2012 2.7 4cyl SR5 and am planning on installing them. Did you wind up doing this swap? Any advise anyone can provide on this? Does it make a difference that it is v6- I4? Was the ECGS bushing or any mods needed with the increased lift?

Thanks!