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Very Rough Ride, Normal?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by jjsask, Oct 28, 2010.

  1. Oct 28, 2010 at 8:06 AM
    #1
    jjsask

    jjsask [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2002 Tacoma XtraCab TRD and the ride is very harsh, especially over washboard roads and small bumps. I replaced the rear stock Toyota Bilstein shocks with Bilstein HD shocks. One of the stock shocks was totally shot but one seemed ok, but the new shocks did not seem to change much. I have not yet replaced the front shocks.

    It is absolutely brutal driving on washboard gravel or a rough road, its hard to keep from fishtailing all over the place and everything in the truck rattles like crazy. Is this just the way these trucks are or is something wrong with mine?
     
    wolfpackbd22 likes this.
  2. Oct 28, 2010 at 8:13 AM
    #2
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Differential Breather Mod Light Bar: 4 Cree LED lamps Bilstein 5100s Ride Rite Air Bags
    Remove some air from the tires... go to 20 psi on the washboard.

    However, I will say that my '01 xtra cab was awesome on washboards with the TRD Bilstein (yellow) shocks... I never de-aired, but I did put it in 4WD and the truck handled much, much better at speed on graded roads... straightened right out.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Oct 28, 2010 at 11:16 AM
    #3
    YotaDan

    YotaDan Dan

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    I would recommend putting in the 3 leaf aal, and running some 5100s or OME shocks.
     
  4. Oct 28, 2010 at 9:19 PM
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    Digiratus

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    How many miles on the truck? If you are still on the stock springs, that is likely at the core of the problem.

    Do your rear leaf springs have a negative arch to them? Adding an Add A Leaf kit may help depending on the condition of the springs. If the springs have a negative arch though, it may be too late for an AAL.

    Use the search function on this site. You'll find a lot of information on this topic.
     
  5. Oct 29, 2010 at 7:22 AM
    #5
    jjsask

    jjsask [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have 140,000 kms (87,000 miles) on the truck. The springs are almost flat in the back, they are not yet inverted the arch. Is getting the springs re-arched a good idea, and if so does anyone have the stock spring specs for a 2002 TRD xtracab?
     
  6. Oct 29, 2010 at 7:48 AM
    #6
    magog45

    magog45 Well-Known Member

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    5100's all around, 2.75 inch lift, polyurethane body mounts, gibson exhaust, variation of the deckplate mod, intake resonators removed 285-75-16 goodyear AT
    My 98 was riding terrible on rough roads but I had to wait to get my 5100's before doing anything. Turns out I had a broken leaf on one side. 5100's all around with fromt ones set at middle position and rear springs re-arched with one extra leaf added and it is much improved. Still not as good as my 68 Buick Electra was though.
     
    Ridgerunner likes this.
  7. Apr 15, 2018 at 5:19 PM
    #7
    spidermonkey taco

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    I have an '02 Prerunner with the same problem. I switched to 5100's and replaced the ball joints in the front. My leaf springs have positive arch. Any ideas?
     
  8. Apr 15, 2018 at 6:28 PM
    #8
    Danno1985

    Danno1985 Well-Known Member

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    I mean... this is still a pretty primitive pickup truck all things considered, with thin seats and a lot of thin plastic inside that likes to rattle once it has a few miles on it. The ride is going to be choppy with no load in the back. I have newer Bilsteins on every corner. With the bed empty and tires at full street pressure, mine is pretty brutal on washboards as well. Composed and controllable, but definitely feels like a truck. I feel like that’s part of the deal. What tires are you rolling?
     
  9. Apr 15, 2018 at 7:01 PM
    #9
    spidermonkey taco

    spidermonkey taco Member

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    Nitto terra grapplers in the rear
    Bfgoodrich all terrain taKos in the front. All on 16s
     
  10. Apr 15, 2018 at 7:05 PM
    #10
    Sperrunner

    Sperrunner Respect the International Dibs Law

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    Lt and 4link in th rear and it will ride smooth. But who got that lind of money? Not me thats for sure
     
  11. Apr 15, 2018 at 7:07 PM
    #11
    spidermonkey taco

    spidermonkey taco Member

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    Thats what I'm doing in the next 2 years.
     
  12. Apr 15, 2018 at 7:18 PM
    #12
    Taco302

    Taco302 Well-Known Member

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    I experienced the same a week ago on a beat up dirt road in my 2003..i had to slow to less than 5 mph bc i felt like i was gonna lose control and beat the damn bitch to death going any faster..rough as hell.

    Granted she's due for new suspension components. I think a lot of it has to do with a light bed on a light truck. Like previously stated, less tire pressure, some weight in the back and some TLC to suspension will help.

    I was tempted to go offroad for a smoother ride :)
     
  13. Apr 15, 2018 at 7:23 PM
    #13
    Sperrunner

    Sperrunner Respect the International Dibs Law

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    My truck smooths out tr faster i go lol. This one section of road near me always beast me to hell if i go the 25mph over it. But at like 40 it’s smooth...
     
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  14. Apr 15, 2018 at 8:59 PM
    #14
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    So is this a problem that you noticed come on suddenly, or has it always been like that?

    Firstly, it’s a truck, so it’s not really going to ride like its a caddy - ever. But you may just have worn out shocks/springs, or crappy shocks.

    A popular set of shocks are the bilstein 5100s, but they aren’t know to be super soft, but not really harsh either- just “truck-like”... i ran mine for over 6 years and was perfectly happy with them. They perform quite well off-road.

    As others said, on washboard roads, the faster you go, the more they smooth out, but if your shocks are worn out, that won’t help, and could make it worse and definitely less safe.

    So if you’re on a budget, look for the 5100s or OME shocks. If your springs are worn out too, get new ones, probably OME is your best bet there (all new springs/shocks for about $1200). If you have some cash, and orff road a lot, look into spending some more cash on the suspension, with something like Kings or Icons... and nicer springs, dakar, all-pro, deaver...
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2018
  15. Apr 16, 2018 at 12:51 AM
    #15
    Tacomaman63

    Tacomaman63 Well-Known Member

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    Hmmmm learn something new every day. I always associated those wash board roads with a light ass end that threw me around so I just slow down when I come to them.
     
  16. Apr 16, 2018 at 6:49 AM
    #16
    vasinvictor

    vasinvictor Junkie

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    Figure out what shocks and/or springs your have in the front and post back. Somebody might have put some crappy quick struts in there.
    The rear isn't going to be your problem, especially if you just put Bilstein 4600s back there. Worn out springs would make it softer, not harsher anyway.
     
  17. Apr 16, 2018 at 12:12 PM
    #17
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    The light rear end doesn't help, but with a properly set up suspension the weight shouldn't matter all that much.

    Back in school, I was on a field trip out to Race Track Playa in Death Valley NP. The road out there is ~23 mile of washboard. I drove my 86 4Runner, others were in the university vans. The Prof would drive right around 23-25mph and it was SUPER rough, I guess she stopped accelerating because it kept getting rougher. If she only knew that if she got up to like 30mph it significantly smoothed out. I of course would hang way back and then see how quick I could catch up... :)

    Of course you have to be more comfortable with the tires sliding around a bit since you're going faster over loose terrain, but the ride def smooths out (as long as your suspension can handle it).

    If you're not comfortable driving at a moderate pace over loose terrain, def slow down...
     
  18. Apr 16, 2018 at 12:56 PM
    #18
    David K

    David K Well-Known Member

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    Differential Breather Mod Light Bar: 4 Cree LED lamps Bilstein 5100s Ride Rite Air Bags
    8 years ago, I posted in this thread to drop the air pressure to 20 psi. That advice still has not changed. ;)
     
    Running Board Man likes this.
  19. Apr 16, 2018 at 1:48 PM
    #19
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Definitely good advice.

    A combination of airing-down and ensuring your suspenison is properly set up (and not worn out) is the complete solution.

    However airing down does require you to eventually air back up, and lots of people don't have an on-board air system, or even a cheap-o air compressor on hand, which makes airing back up, well, difficult.

    So... at a minimum, buy yourself a Viair 88p ($50) - something that won't melt when inflating your off-road tires...
     
  20. Apr 16, 2018 at 3:01 PM
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    vasinvictor

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    Oh good lord who bumped this thread... @spidermonkey taco I was waiting for OP to reply.
     

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