I have a non-TRD, would it be worth upgrading the shocks?

That last line really describes the way my truck feels right now. Little imperfections in the road tend to really have an effect on the steering. It wants to wobble and jerk all over the road sometimes. But everyone who has checked it as said the linkages and joints are fine, and I can't find anything particularly loose either.

I also experience the ABS issue when coming to a stop on rough surfaces. The truck tends to bounce, the ABS senses a wheel trying to lock up, and it kicks in.

I kind of thought I needed softer shocks so they would react more to smaller imperfections. I'm going to have to do more research on this.

 

So what's the difference between the Bilsteins on the TRD O/R and the TRD Sport?

 

None. Also to be clear, since you asked earlier, The TRD (OR or Sport) Bilsteins and the 5100 are different shocks.

I went from SR5 shocks to 5100s, the ride is firmer and you will feel more bumps due to that, but it is more controlled.

You'll need to ask someone who's gone from TRD shocks to 5100 for a comparison that way.

BTW, do not expect a shock to give you any lift (unless you preload it like a 5100 front), nor to stop any body roll, either forward/back or side-to-side. The shock's purpose is to control the rate of suspension movement, not the amount (unless it's a quick suspension hit). You truck will roll just as much, just in a more controlled manner. You're ABS will kick in with worn shocks cuz the faster forward roll unloads the rear tires quicker. With firmer shocks the forward roll is a bit slower and that allows the weight transfer to occur over a longer time period and allows the rear wheels to unload at a more consistent rate.

Given what you've said for what you are looking for, and amount you want to spend, I would first try to find a used/low mile set of TRD shocks. If that's not enough then you can look into the aftermarket.

 

My experience with going from trd billies to 5100 was night and day. Before I got the tsb done the truck rode very nice almost too nice for a truck and after I got the tsb springs put on the rear felt more like a truck, a little stiffer and ridged ride which was what I wanted. Then I put 5100s up front at. 85 with the eibach spring and a tsb aal in the rear and 5125s and it feels like a completely different rig. Ride is much stiffer and feels more solid which was my goal. I only did this because my truck is not my dd and if it was I would have left it stock as the ride in my truck can become a little uncomfortable on a less taken care of road at highway speeds. I am happy with my current setup and if you decide to try the trd stock billies I'm sure you will too.

 

Most likely. To know for sure, count the number of leafs in your leaf pack. If there are 4 leafs then you've had the rear leaf TSB done and it explains why you have the TRD shocks.

 

Alright, two more stupid questions.

1. It seems like it's the front that's really bad. Should I just do the front or would it make more sense to do all four corners?

2. On the front, should I replace the coils with the shocks or would my original SR5 coils be fine? Are the coils built onto the shock or are they mounted completely independently of each other?

 

I would just do all 4. And the original coils are fine. The shock is separate from the coil (I have my original SR5 coils on with the 5100s).

 

I would also agree on all 4 at the same time I don't know if there's a difference in coils from sr5 to sport but I know the off roads have a different coil. Like I said ill give you my complete sport setup minus the top plates cause they went on my 5100 for a good price less than 3k miles on the shocks and coils.

 

Go for it! I just changed out my oem crap for TRD Billies. Love 'em

 

SR5 has the same coils as the Sport. OR has the progressive springs.

 

What's the difference between the Sport coil and OR progressive?

 

sr5/sport has a linear spring rate, ex:you need 500(guesstamate) lb of force for each inch you want to compress the coil (1000 lb for 2 inches, etc). OR has progressive, so you need 500 lb to compress 1 inch, but 600 more pound to compress the next inch, 700 lbs of force to compress another inch on top of that. Progressive springs get progressively stiffer the more you compress them.

 

Juggernaut's correct. The more down force, the more it takes to compress it even further. You can tell the progressives from the linear springs because the progressives have the coils at one end spaced closer together. You can see it in the attached pic. Notice the decreased space between the last 3 coils on the right side versus the left end.

 

is this real, or just an isolated instance?

i've got an appointment tuesday for my springs ('11 access SR5)

 

Haven't seen the TSB, have you? I attached it for you. Helps to know what they're replacing, so you know if it was done right.

 

holy sweet honey in the stone!

thanks for the information. i merely asked the service manager if he could do it, he took down my VIN, and called me a couple of days later to tell me the parts are in.

damn!!!

 

Seems like there's a bit of a difference of opinion, or maybe just description, over whether the 5100s provide a more softer or firmer ride.

I don't haul much or offroad. If I want a smooth, comfortable ride but with more control and less bump-steer, would the TRD Bilsteins be alright or while I'm shelling out the bucks should I go farther and get the 5100s?

 

My stock SR5 came with bilsteins(blue and yellow) on a corners,although I replaced the rears at 70000kms, don't really carry anything heavy, 4 leaf springs...maybe another difference between US trucks and CDN trucks!
I dunno........

 

At 98,000 mi I trashed my stockers and went with TRD Billys. My truck is stock with no lift and it drives great. Except for the shiddy rear springs! They are next.

 

I have all 4 factory yellow shocks from my TRD sport if sell you. 20,000 miles on them. I upgraded to 5100s all around and no longer need them. Been meaning to post in the buy/sell forum...

5100s give a nice quality ride by the way.