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2021 Tacomas: Which configuration has the smoothest, most car like on pavement ride?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by verlaryder, Feb 19, 2021.

  1. Feb 20, 2021 at 7:14 AM
    #21
    Pdxbill

    Pdxbill Active Member

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    My TRD OR is very truck like (bouncy). Before this I owned a Chevy Colorado. That drove very car-like and their v6 and 8 spd auto worked very nice together. The Toyota auto even with the software update is not as good. I'd recommend you try out everything in this category.
     
  2. Feb 20, 2021 at 7:31 AM
    #22
    ALI3N_123

    ALI3N_123 ( -_・)ᡕᠵ᠊ᡃ່࡚ࠢ࠘⸝່ࠡࠣ᠊߯᠆ࠣ࠘ᡁࠣ࠘᠊᠊ࠢ࠘

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    I’m no engineer but the best way I could describe an Off Road suspension is throwing yourself on bouncy spring mattress while the Sport is like throwing yourself at a memory foam Tempurpedic mattress. Imo, that dampened Sport suspension is more enjoyable than the bouncy Off Road suspension.
     
    KWyle, rev25sharp and verlaryder[OP] like this.
  3. Feb 20, 2021 at 7:34 AM
    #23
    Taco1701

    Taco1701 Well-Known Member

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    I don’t think any Tacoma has a car-like ride. The TRD Off Road has the softest suspension and does a good job of soaking up bumps, but it has more body roll and the nose dive when braking was annoying. The TRD Sport has a firm ride and you feel more of the bumps, but it handles much better to me. Less body roll and nose dive. The SR5 and Limited were somewhere in between the TRD models. I haven’t driven a TRD Pro, so can’t comment on that one. Still, I don’t think any of them would fit the definition of car-like. Definitely test drive them all to see if you like any of them.
     
  4. Feb 20, 2021 at 7:39 AM
    #24
    slidemx5

    slidemx5 Well-Known Member

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    I had an E-class Mercedes wagon with factory air suspension before the taco. The taco, while louder, rides 80% as comfortably. I'm really happy with it. I've got the DCSB OR
     
    shakerhood likes this.
  5. Feb 20, 2021 at 9:38 AM
    #25
    maxmk8

    maxmk8 Well-Known Member

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    Pro rides best. Due to best shocks And smallest diameter wheels of the bunch.
     
  6. Feb 20, 2021 at 9:46 AM
    #26
    dman100

    dman100 Well-Known Member

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    I think the differences between any model Tacoma are very slight, compared to any late model car of similar price unless it’s a stiffly-sprung performance car.
     
  7. Feb 20, 2021 at 10:01 AM
    #27
    Dryfly24

    Dryfly24 He’s a leprechaun. He tells me to burn things.

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    George
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    I'm looking to buy a 2021 Toyota car that offers the roughest, most truck like on-pavement highway ride.

    I’m planning on lots of off road driving...
     
    KWyle, Crobran, StayinStock and 7 others like this.
  8. Feb 20, 2021 at 10:09 AM
    #28
    methodtim

    methodtim I eat a lot of salsa

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    Umm... really?
    California
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    Aftermarket radio knobs, woot!
    Y'all like a cult in here. What's wrong with wanting a better, more car-like ride from a truck but still wanting/needing a truck? This is exactly my use-case and I've been (quietly, because I don't need anyone screeching at me why did I spend my money the way I did, wah wah) searching for the right suspension kit to make the on-road ride more compliant while not messing up off-road and cargo capabilities (I'm set on digressive Icon stage 2 or 3, FWIW).

    There's nothing wrong with wanting comfort and capability. And there's nothing wrong with saying the Tacoma drives like a floundering trout, because it's the truth. It does nothing to take away from my very positive feelings about the truck. Every time I drive it, I'm very happy. Every time I consider "should I move on", I'm like no, stupid, you love this truck. But that doesn't mean we have to sit there and accept that it drives like a drunk monkey.
     
  9. Feb 20, 2021 at 10:15 AM
    #29
    Dryfly24

    Dryfly24 He’s a leprechaun. He tells me to burn things.

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    Drunk monkey ay? Hmmm, you might want to have to have your front end checked out by a professional....
     
    OZ TRD likes this.
  10. Feb 20, 2021 at 10:17 AM
    #30
    methodtim

    methodtim I eat a lot of salsa

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    Umm... really?
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    Aftermarket radio knobs, woot!
    I may have been a bit hyperbolic. :) But you get my point.
     
  11. Feb 20, 2021 at 10:19 AM
    #31
    Hooper89

    Hooper89 Well-Known Member

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    Offroad imho but you need to drive them for yourself.
     
    SSTacomamama and shakerhood like this.
  12. Feb 20, 2021 at 12:52 PM
    #32
    desmodue

    desmodue Unsprung member

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    OIP.jpg
     
  13. Feb 20, 2021 at 12:54 PM
    #33
    Itchyfeet

    Itchyfeet Well-Known Member

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    If you want the most car like ride it's going to be a basic bitch SR5 double cab long box.
     
  14. Feb 20, 2021 at 12:56 PM
    #34
    GOTSAND?18

    GOTSAND?18 Well-Known Member

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    stock
    I like the ride of my off-road it eats up the bumps pretty well a little bouncy at low speeds . It’s a truck . I drove the sport the suspension seemed a little stiff to my liking.
     
    SSTacomamama likes this.
  15. Feb 20, 2021 at 12:57 PM
    #35
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Some people will interpret this as a joke, but the OP should seriously consider this as an option.
     
    StayinStock, CG256, Crossgolf and 3 others like this.
  16. Feb 20, 2021 at 1:05 PM
    #36
    RedWings44

    RedWings44 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about the suspension it has, but our 4Runner SR5 rides better on road than my Tacoma TRDOR. The Tacoma definitely handles large bumps at a little speed better than the SR5 though
     
  17. Feb 20, 2021 at 2:44 PM
    #37
    bornxbackwards

    bornxbackwards Well-Known Member

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    Debadged, black sumos, brake controller.
    Indeed. If that is indeed OP biggest need, a car with a bed, the Rigdeline is the best option.

    Not my cup of tea. But this is why there are options our there. It's a good one to consider for lots of people.
     
  18. Feb 20, 2021 at 3:10 PM
    #38
    DRAWN

    DRAWN Well-Known Member

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    Anybody else think buying a certain Tacoma model based on the stock suspension performance is downright foolish. The sport and off-road come with Bilsteins, basically 4600’s valved differently. They’re literally like $50 shocks. The sr5 and limited come with hatachi’s which are honestly pos. The pro is the only model with high end suspension, which is still pretty mediocre compared to aftermarket offerings. The Tacoma literally has some of the best aftermarket support available and that includes serious high end dampers. You buy a Trd off-road for the locker and upgraded traction control system. You buy sport if you want a manual, and a limited if you want the nice interior. At the end of the day upgrading your shocks is one of the most substantial ways you can make to the Tacoma better. The same can’t be said about power or efficiency gains. Buying a certain model for throw away shocks just doesn’t make sense.
     
    71tattooguy likes this.
  19. Feb 20, 2021 at 3:18 PM
    #39
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    4600's are actually bigger than the stock Bilstein's. They just look the same because of the colour.
     
  20. Feb 20, 2021 at 3:18 PM
    #40
    GrundleJuice

    GrundleJuice Well-Known Member

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    [S]Un-Molested[/S] Lightly Molested
    Your reading comprehension and pretentious assumptions are both unbecoming of you.

    "Lower damping". That isn't a thing. Less damping, maybe. Are you going to define "lower" for me and then post a word fort of condescension that makes you look like an ass?

    Too little rebound damping will result in the wheel pounding the ground after a medium or big hit and can be felt inside the vehicle. If rebound is so fast, small bumps can turn into a pogo if compression doesn't control it. Which brings me to compression... Ahh, F it. Posting almost anything in here turns into some "expert" saying shit like, "false, the dictionary says this" instead of useful, respectful dialogue. Done
     

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