Looking for Advice on Outfitting DCLB

Hello TW Members,

I don't have any experience in modifying my truck or with the different products made for the Tacoma. But I do have some specific things I'd like to do and hoping those with experience could offer their advice. And w/ Black Friday here I thought I'd ask for help so I can make my purchases now.

Suspension: I'd like to improve the stock suspension w/out creating issues. My previous experience in suspension work didn't fare well so I am bit hesitant. My research has led me to the Bilstein 6112/6150 and Deavers. I am looking for a better road ride... most of my offroading is for camping and on the beach. I don't have a bumper yet, but I tend to load up a significant amount of weight when we go camping. Other times it is only a couple hundred pounds in the rear. Right now I don't have a need for a lift, though I like the looks, but my immediate need is to improve the ride. Bumps are harsh and nose dive during braking sucks!

Lighting: Driving on backroads in some of the areas we camp leaves me feeling very sketchy... doesn't seem to light up the area very well even w/ hbeams on. I don't know if a light bar on top of the cab or maybe this is a good reason to add a front bumper... if I do, then probably a minimal style bumper. I don't see me adding a winch. I'd also like to add lights to the rear and side for camping.

Thanks,

Bear

 

Welcome to the forum. You should check out what some fellow taco owners have done before you spend your money if you can. Check out the regional forum here to see if you have a local gathering coming up. As far as off-road lighting I recommend a light bar behind the grille. Mine is way brighter than the high beams.

 

Diode Dynamics LED fog lights really brighten a dark country road.

 

I second the fogs and the light bar. I have TRD pro fogs on my 17' limited and they were an improvement over the factory halogens. I had Rigid SAE fogs on my 2nd gen and those were fantastic, much more output that the pro fogs. My wife also has DD SS3 yellow fogs on her T4R and those are great too, even at the "sport" model. They have two options higher than that as well. The Pro and MAX.

I also have the DD 30" flush mount light bar like the photo above. I really like the output from a single row LED but I will admit there is some light dance from the bracket not providing full support.

 

I’m skeptical you can improve your ride quality much without at the same to same decreasing your truck’s ability to do truck stuff (haul and tow) unless you spend a lot of money. An unloaded pickup rides harsh because it’s designed to carry a payload. It has stiff springs and shocks. I suggest spending your money elsewhere.

 

I am not outwardly disagreeing. However, it seems contrary to everything else I have read. Upgrading the shocks and springs to a higher quality product would eliminate the squishy OEM ride. How upgrading the suspension I don't see how this would haul and tow? The hauling and towing seems a function of drivetrain, no? I am not looking to lift the truck, just upgrade the suspension.

 

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I am checking out the DD products and this appears to be a nice solution for my lighting needs.

 

A truck has stiff springs so that it doesn’t ride on the bump stops when loaded. It has stiff shocks so that it doesn’t ride like a pogo stick when loaded. The springs and shocks are not adjustable, thus a truck’s suspension is overly stiff when unloaded.

To improve its ride quality within a reasonable budget, you need to reduce the stiffness of the springs and shocks, but this will reduce its ability to carry a load.