Upgrading TRD Sport suspension for a better ride?

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?

 

1. Icons are known for their digressive valving which is known for having additional feedback with bumps. Some people like it, most seem to not be a fan and usually prefer progressive valving. I would suggest like fox 2.0 coilovers because they are inexpensive, rebuildable, and good quality. Also because from some things you mentioned, it seems like adjustable coilovers would be a forgotten feature since you rather not adjust and seem to want, "install and forget" setup. Something you can drive without much adjustment or continuous tinkering with. I think it would be a good fit.

2. Probably more and as stated above, it has more adjustment that I think would be either a hassle or a feature that is quickly forgotten. I'd stick with a fixed tubular UCA. And uniballs are open to air and the elements, while joints like spc and JBA aren't. A good option is of course the SPC since it allows some adjustment with the caster, sealed regreasable joint that's easily replaceable, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Same idea as above where you can have minimal input and not paying for features that won't be used. Just give them a greasing once in a while

3. IMO, once you start chopping and welding the rear. For bolt on mods, a waste since there's no uptravel. It'd be nice bling yes. I'd recommend front/rear bumps like wheelers or durobumps. Good performance, budget friendly, and don't have to worry about rebuilding them

4. Yes. However, you didn't mention hauling or towing. Which if you don't, except for some light camping gear, then an AAL will serve you well, is budget friendly, and not too difficult to install.

So in summary, I'd go with a simple fox 2.0 coilovers with some lift springs preassembled, maybe some fox 2.0 reservoirs for the rear, poly bumps front/rear, budget friendly booted UCAs for the front, and an AAL. You'll have a solid setup that doesn't have a bunch of features you pay for and never use, low maintenance, and still perform well along with some bling points.

 

I wish I could like your post 10 times. Solid info.

Fox - Mid Travel Suspension Kit - 2005-2021 Toyota Tacoma Lift Kit – Runnin 4 Tacos so stage 1, spc uca + icon aal (I don't haul or tow besides my dirt bike) would be the ticket I'm looking for. Even has bumpstops. Only bummer is that lead time... but patience is a virtue.

 

oh dang those are 2.5. 2.0 assembled are way cheaper. Fox Shock 03-21 Toyota Tacoma Front Coilover, 2.0 Performance Series, IFP, 0-1" Lift, 0-2" Lift | AccuTune Off-Road (accutuneoffroad.com)

 

What did you end up installing and what are your thoughts?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Waiting for pictures!

 

the UCA and rear shocks say they're arriving tomorrow. Dat free one day shipping. Lololol.

 

We’ve had discussions about those RC UCAs, some of the guys might be interested in your impressions on the RC Forged Aluminum UCA’s…..Hear me out thread and the Favorite UCA? thread.

@SuperWhiteTaco84 installed them here

 

Looking forward to some feedback. The Vertex coils overs and ucas are tempting

 

Are these like a brand new product?

 

As far as I can tell they’re reasonably new, or at least not many sets installed and reviewed by members here.

 

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..

 

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

 

Yup up sell up sell !!!!

 

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.

 

i just happen to run 255/80r17 AT3W’s and can agree with your choice of tires!