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Upgrading TRD Sport suspension for a better ride?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by mangosmoothie, Jul 14, 2021.

  1. Jul 14, 2021 at 10:49 PM
    #1
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Looking to upgrade the suspension on my 2020 sport. My reason for upgrading is primarily a better ride. I do some mild to moderate trails and the sport shocks beat me up.

    At this point, I'm leaning towards icon "stage 3" with the tubular UCA. The basic front coilovers, remote resi rear, aal, and tubular uca. I like the height adjustibility and that the shocks are rebuildable. This I'm seeing for ~$3k which seems like one of the better values.

    My questions are...

    1. is there something I'm missing that is a better value for shock/strut/spring? King, OME BP, Bil B8, Dob MRR, and Radflow are all more expensive from what I'm seeing. I have no shops around and no interest in assembling struts myself so whatever I buy needs to be assembled or the option to add assembly from where I order. I'm not opposed to spending more if it's worth it. I'm also ok with stepping down to a Bil 6112/5260, OME nitrocharge, basic Dob if the added cost of the icon isn't worth it. Just really lost here.

    2. is a billett UCA going to me more or less maintenance than tubular? I also don't really understand pros and cons of uniball like total chaos vs spc. I also need the UCA to come assembled. I don't have a press, or shops around. So that's another major factor.

    3. when are hydraulic bump stops warranted in the rear?

    4. does aal vs an entire leaf pack matter much?
     
    Thefear87 likes this.
  2. Jul 14, 2021 at 11:46 PM
    #2
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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  3. Jul 14, 2021 at 11:50 PM
    #3
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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  4. Sep 10, 2021 at 5:14 PM
    #4
    ematos

    ematos New Member

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    CherylJane likes this.
  5. Sep 10, 2021 at 5:27 PM
    #5
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    Kings, Dakars, SPCs, 33's, Mobtown Sliders, TRD Skid
    I find it interesting how truck people talk about off-road suspension compared to dirt bike people. Truck people often use the words like “nice ride” or “comfort” whereas dirt bikers use words associated with handling better to enable the ability to go faster. I have to say I’ve been somewhat disappointed with my king shock upgrade. My truck is no side by side or trophy truck, but it is definitely more comfortable than stock on rough stuff.
     
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  6. Sep 22, 2021 at 4:13 AM
    #6
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Update.

    pieced together my own kit. I hope this works out for me. My flamesuit is on.

    rough country vertex front struts (haven’t seen much about it on here except one guy said they rode better than his fox set up)

    rough country uca (forged aluminum, assembled, and $260 for both so what the hell)

    rough country v2 ifp rear (these look dead on the fox 2.0 ifp non-resi shocks)

    2” block.

    Eventually I’d like to do Dakar leaf pack and vertex rear shocks if I end up liking the fronts.

    if this turns out to be a shitty build then whoops…..

    Everything arrives next week. Will post initial impressions.
     
    whatstcp likes this.
  7. Sep 22, 2021 at 5:15 AM
    #7
    NorrinRadd

    NorrinRadd Well-Known Member

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    2019 Sport, access cab, MT, Eibach 2.0 stage 2, tow, silver.
    I've been eyeing the Eibach Pro truck coilover stage 2 kit for a while now for my 2019 Sport. I do offroading about 50% of the time (always looking for that better camping spot!) and while the road comfort is very nice on stock suspension, the off-road handling leaves a lot to be desired.

    (Probably cheaper through other websites) https://eibach.com/us/1525/E86-82-007-01-22-TOYOTA-Tacoma-pro-truck-coilover-stage-2
     
  8. Sep 22, 2021 at 4:06 PM
    #8
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I should say I did actually reach out to accutune along the way and they basically said the non remote resi fox ifp wouldn't be any better than stock for ride quality and were disposable.

    So with that in mind, plus from RC was in stock and shipped out same day, and not wanting to spend $3500+ with a 1+ month wait time 9 (Fox, Elka, King etc)...... I went this route. I think I'm $1800 in it so far.

    I would like remote resi for the rear for that bling factor and a full leaf pack to actually increase capability before I do anything crazy. I realize blocks are kinda sketchy and not ideal. Undecided if I'll do Fox 2.0 IFP remote resi rear from accutune for $580 shipped or do vertex rear for $800. I'm pretty stuck between those two. We'll see how vertex fronts perform.

    Shoutout to @whatstcp and @ohcaltexscar for their extra help in the DM's.
     
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  9. Sep 22, 2021 at 4:22 PM
    #9
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

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    :popcorn:
    Waiting for pictures!
     
  10. Sep 22, 2021 at 5:11 PM
    #10
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the UCA and rear shocks say they're arriving tomorrow. Dat free one day shipping. Lololol.
     
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  11. Sep 22, 2021 at 5:53 PM
    #11
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

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  12. Sep 22, 2021 at 6:08 PM
    #12
    oliver1539

    oliver1539 Well-Known Member

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    Looking forward to some feedback. The Vertex coils overs and ucas are tempting
     
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  13. Sep 22, 2021 at 6:43 PM
    #13
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ohcaltexscar[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Sep 22, 2021 at 7:42 PM
    #14
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

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    As far as I can tell they’re reasonably new, or at least not many sets installed and reviewed by members here.
     
  15. Sep 22, 2021 at 7:46 PM
    #15
    bzzr2

    bzzr2 Well-Known Member

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    You should have followed post 2! accutune is full of poop saying fox 2.0 wouldn't be an improvement over stock, that's just nuts. i ran fox 2.0 on my f150 and my 4runner, in both setups it was an immense improvement in body roll, brake dive, sway, road feedback etc... never too late to redo that order. also an AAL in the back is going to improve the truck, a block is simply an change to the truck that might induce vibes if no angle correcting shim is built into the block... return that stuff and follow post 2!

    for more context i have also had full OME with dakars on my 2009 taco and the eibach stuff on my 2018 tacoma with an AAL. i wouldn't do either one again.. they were better than stock but neither was better enough to tell ppl it was a great use of money. after having higher quality the difference is apparent.

    also you don't need reservoir on anything, are they better? sure maybe sometimes but not for most ppl just putting around or doing low speed easy trails.

    not sure what your tire plan is but the wrong/cheap tire can completely ruin everything.. stick to high end brands! and do not do those horrible duratracs!! ppl with get angry and say they're awesome, that is likely just an effect of never having Toyo's, Coopers, Mickey Thompson's, Falkens etc..
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2021
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  16. Sep 22, 2021 at 8:08 PM
    #16
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

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    Accutune tends to guide you towards the 2.5’s and definitely anything with a remote reservoir. I was given the same bit about the 2.0’s when I talked to them.
    I’d still buy through them for sure, either 2.0 or 2.5. Their customer service is great.

    I enjoy my Coopers :drool:
     
    bzzr2[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Sep 22, 2021 at 8:19 PM
    #17
    bzzr2

    bzzr2 Well-Known Member

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    Yup up sell up sell !!!!
     
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  18. Sep 22, 2021 at 8:25 PM
    #18
    mangosmoothie

    mangosmoothie [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I’ve got wildpeaks at3w on now but g003 in skinny 33” is the next play

    Im just blazing my own trail here. I know people like the fox. I haven’t really read anything about them. After I ordered the RC stuff I wondered if I made the right call. Still
    do.

    I read a lot on here about 2.0 vs 2.5 shocks, entry level fox vs high end bilsteins….. for what I’m doing I think i have an acceptable set up for the price. We shall see. It’s hard to find people that have directly compared all of these. It’s mainly “oh I bought this $3000 set up and have no complaints” or “yeah I went from 5100 to remote res adjustable kings and the kings are better” or “well on this vehicle specific not Tacoma application these were good/bad” I’m guessing I’ll be on of those guys and saying these are great compared to my stiff ass sport shocks… having nothing else to refer to….

    I view these rear shocks as throw away due to price so I really don’t care how well they work. They allow me to run a lift until I figure out what’s next. Who knows maybe I’ll be surprised and keep them. The control arms I agree are a complete gamble (I think RC wouldn’t be putting peoples lives at stake with something that will fail catastrophically. Worst case it makes noise or the joint fails prematurely. Risk I’m willing to accept for the price) The vertex I think is actually a solid call for the price.
     
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  19. Sep 22, 2021 at 8:28 PM
    #19
    bzzr2

    bzzr2 Well-Known Member

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    i just happen to run 255/80r17 AT3W’s and can agree with your choice of tires!
     
  20. Sep 22, 2021 at 8:29 PM
    #20
    ohcaltexscar

    ohcaltexscar Out of Huckleberry Licorice…

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    I think you’re good, it’s hard not to question yourself with a big purchase like this.
    If it doesn’t work out, hey lesson learned right?
     

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