REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

Should be no issues, though you may want to wait till you get the leaf springs in and some time for those to settle before getting the spacer, may want more of a spacer depending on how much rake you want. Some trucks naturally will sit a little higher or lower than advertised.

I have the Dakar Med leaf pack and they've been good for me. I haven't done a lot of looking different leaf packs but I know the Icon RXT leafs seem to be really nice for ride quality.

 

I would want little to no rake. I don't tow anything and the most I ever haul is camping gear and mountain bikes. I anticipate this setup would give me a little rake which I can live with. My other option is to go with the Deaver J66 packs which state a 1" lift, but then I'm afraid I run the chance of the front actually settling higher than the rear.

 

The 1" may be a better option, only because there is a little rake even with the stock leaf springs. Being that yours are older and likely sagging you might gain 2" with the J66. I didn't run spacers with mine, but judging off others with lift blocks I'd a 1/4" (or 3/8" driver, 1/4" passenger if you expect some lean) would set you up well with the J66 packs and a 3/4"-1" would work great for the J59. But you're also getting close to needing upper control arms if you go much more than 2.5" total in the front. I'm currently skirting the fine line with my 6112's being at about 2.5"-2.75" with factory UCA's. I know aftermarket will be better, but for now its ok and aligns properly.

 

I picked up the set today. It’s missing some pieces to make them whole unfortunately.

First, no top hats for the front. Anyone know if they are the same as the ones on my ‘13 TRD Sport and I can just reuse those?

Second, missing some hardware on one of the rears. Looks like one bushing, one washer, and a nut. I’m thinking I won’t be able to reuse what’s on the truck now since those components have 170k at this point. So annoying.

 

Your current mounts will work on the 3rd gen without a problem.

For the rears you can get either from Toyota, Amazon, ebay or local parts stores generally carry them as well. All you really need is the rubber portion since the washers don't really wear out. If I recall there are ones for GM trucks will work. They are somewhat a universal item.

 

Thanks for the help. I've already ordered everything I'll need. I decided I want to go ahead and change the front shock mounts due to age, so I'm going with

$39 KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit

these KYB mounts. Hardware and bushings I found all on fleaBay.

Also decided against the Deaver J66's. I've read some awful reviews using them with OEM shocks. Probably going with the Icon RXT's now. Once everything is here and installed I'll throw up some before and after photos.

 

I need to replace my rear upper bushings. Did you find a set online anywhere?

 

I went ahead and bought a set of four on eBay. Link here

 

I'm looking at trying to get a set of the 3rd Gen shocks and struts for my 2007 PreRunner TRD Off-Road. I'm in dire need, as my stock suspension components have over 238,000 miles on them!

There's a set from a 2021 for sale here right now that I've messaged the seller about, and wanted to check with you guys and make sure that nothing's changed that would preclude using these on a 2007 PreRunner.

Also, does anyone know if the components from a 4WD will be different? I wouldn't think so, but I thought it would be wise to check with the Collective to be sure!

One other thing: Due to the age and miles of my truck, what other components would it be prudent to replace along with the shocks and struts while I'm doing this?

Thanks guys.

 

Nothing changed with the 2021 so it will work on your truck with no issues.

IF you have a 5 LUG wheel then it will NOT work for yours. if you have 6 lug wheels then its all good. Yours will probably end up about .25" higher than most here since it is a 2wd and there is less weight up front.

I would check your ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar mounts and links for being loose. Look over your leaf springs for any cracks as well, though you'd likely already be aware of this if you have clunks in the rear or one side sags more than the other in the rear. If the other guy is also selling the upper control arms and leaf springs, those would be good to grab if they are cheap. Not needed though.

 

Thank you very much!

I do have the 6-lug wheels, because this is a TRDOR.

Thanks for the tips.

I do have a slight clunk in the rear, but I think it’s the loose bed issue that I read about here. Need to address that one of these days.

 

I'm excited!

Just made a deal with @sincitytaco for a set of 2021 Tacoma TRDOR shocks and struts!

I think this'll be a little bit of an upgrade from my OEM 2007 suspension with 238,000+ miles!

 

Tomorrow is the day I throw these suckers on, but first I'm hoping you guys can help me out with a definitive answer on this. Research is making me more confused since Toyota apparently likes to switch up the colors of these dots, and it seems everyone has a different opinion on which is which. Is the RED and GREEN dots the driver's side? Seems like that's the popular opinion but I've also read that a brown dot means driver's side. My head is spinning.

Second question, is there a way to verify that these are indeed springs from 3rd Gen TRD OR? The guy I bought them from seemed a little bit sketchy but I might just be paranoid. He had a Tacoma and two 4runners in his driveway so I want to make sure he didn’t just give me a random set of springs with 3rd Gen shocks. Since they look pretty new I gave him benefit of doubt.

 

Red and green is driver's side and the springs look correct. I swapped 3rd gen stuff onto my '07 over the weekend. Since you need to assemble those, use this video as reference. I disassembled mine this way to add longer studs on the top hats and put them back together very easily.

 

I need to edit and add this to the original write-up, I noticed this question has come up a few times before.

 

Side by side, the red/green coil assembly looked slightly taller than the other one to compensate for taco lean. Also, the guy I got the parts from labeled them with a marker when he took them off his truck.
I have seen the video I just referenced on here many times, but there are two more that are helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E6u7dC7EHg&list=WL&index=34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo0FJSi-KYs&list=WL&index=36

 

Picking up a suspension take off from a 2020 Off Road 4X4 today. Front shocks/springs, rear shocks and rear leafs for $100. My truck is a 2009 Off Road 2WD, still on original suspension, 120k miles. Hoping for a better ride and a nice 1" lift out of this.

Couple of questions though - is it worth replacing the leaf springs? Mine were replaced with the updated ones from Toyota as part of the recall. Is there anything else worth doing while I've got it all apart? I'll have the truck until I order my 2022 and it comes in so likely less than a year.

 

Since you have a 2wd you'll probably end up with a little more front lift than most of us, probably around 1.5".

For the leaf springs. How long have you had the updated leaf springs? It probably won't be much of a change if you swap them to be honest. I haven't found any info showing a spring rate difference in the 3rd gen leaf springs. Either way, you can sell whichever leaf springs you don't use for at least $100 or more. Then your new suspension was FREE!

 

My leaf spring recall was done in 2016. I have a helper leaf on them from when I had a truck bed camper. If they're the same number of leafs as my current ones I might swap them out.

 

Just replaced my 2013 stock limited front suspension with brand new 3rd gen sport shocks and springs. Truck only has 52,000 miles on it and the stock drivers shock was leaking. It’s been a great upgrade so far. Really seems to have tightened up the handling. Tried to DIY, bolts were seized, had to take it in. Almost a cheap upgrade