OR to TRD Pro Fox shocks impressions

Just for the record, my 2" 5100's are a huge improvement over the OEM Bilstein's. Also much bigger shock valve and less dive. Kept the stock coils as per Bilstein recommendations.

Now I doubt they are anywhere as good as the Fox or Bilstein 6112's, but are definitely the best bang for the buck.

 

I put 5100s on my 1st gen Tacoma and really loved them. They have a reputation as a low-end "budget" shock, but they are def best bang for your buck and "punches above its weight."

With my 3rd gen, so far only have experience with the stock TRD OR shocks (which suck, at least with brake dive!).

 

Sorry if this has been brought up before or maybe not.
I just bought used TRD fox shocks with the Westscott lift on the front and the rear leafs have toytec aal on already but might by Icon expansion leaf pack instead. I wanted to wait to install until I have every possible thing I need to make sure this drives correctly.
I have a 19 OR 4x4 stock height and I will be using stock ucas for now.
Will I need a diff drop kit, front sway relocate or anything that I don't have on my stock OR?

Thanks ahead of time for everyones vast knowledge of these amazing trucks

 

You misunderstand the OR suspension. It is PURPOSELY designed to be soft (which causes it to dive going around corners). The wandering is caused by the (relatively) tall side walls on the tires (to also make a "softer" ride off road). All by design. These characteristics are what makes it the OR version and better off-road. Don't knock it if you misunderstood what you bought. Sure, better shocks and springs will make off-roading (and maybe on-road manners too) better--but they cost a LOT of money to make an appreciable difference unless you sacrifice the "softer" off-road design altogether to get better on-road manners. Ask me how I know.

 

Yes and no.

The TRD PRO is designed to be better off-road as well (maybe even better than TRD OR--we'd hope so given the $10k premium). However, the "factory" shocks on the TRD PRO are better off-road AND has way better on-road manners.

TRD OR suspension is underdampened for that truck, IMO. You don't need brake dive to make it plush and comfortable off-road lol. Even 5100s are light years better than the TRD OR bilsteins and are very inexpensive for shocks.

 

The 3rd gen Tacomas seem to be pretty sensitive to mild lifts. YMMV, but most Tacomas (not all because there are some inexplicable exceptions) will need a lot more parts once you go 3"--aftermarket UCAs might be needed to get your alignment back to spec, diff drop to keep your CV angles down, extended rear brake lines IF you have more droop, etc.

Most importantly...Around this TW site, I've read that if you lift the front more than around 2" (1.5" to be safe), you're likely going to notice vibrations from the front diff. That's your needle bearing wearing out because of the new suboptimal axle angles. If your needle bearing grenades, it'll send shards of metal (needles) throughout your front diff--no bueno. The fix is easy (look up ECGS clamshell bushing mod), but time-consuming.

If you want avoid all that noise, but get a nice little lift, remove the Wescott (spacers are not ideal anyway, but that's my opinion) and sell it. Install the TRD PRO Fox shocks and have a great time, no worries mon

 

Thanks OG for the info. I did notice that the fronts came with thin spacers but the collars are already on and I don't have the OEM. I wonder if I can just not install the top spacers and keep the collars on. Unless thats not a good idea and just go with what you say, put the pros back to stock leave it as is.

 

Wow, I never realized how beefy the Pro Fox's are compared to OR. Thanks for the pics!

 

Even the Bilstein 5100s are much beefier than the OEM OR Bilsteins...

 

I'm currently in the market for a new DCORSB 6 speed manual and it looks like you've got a '21. Any issues with yours? Are you running TRD Pro coilovers? I have OME 887 coilovers currently on my 2017 DCORSB auto and am planning to pull them off and reinstall factory suspension, and put the OMEs back on the new truck........but now I'm second guessing that. They have just shy of 60k on them. Thoughts or suggestions appreciated!

 

No issues. Great truck so far--everything is as expected. Supposedly late 3rd gen Tacomas have fewer issues than early 3rd gens. But we'll see (I only have like 20k miles on the truck so far).

I installed TRD PRO springs/shocks in front and shocks in rear. I also upgraded the leaf spring to ICON RXT (option 2). A little bit of lift and a lot of functionality--this is a happy medium for me IMO.

Not sure about the longevity of the OMEs. They might need rebuild/replacement not too much longer than 60k. You could probably get away with it and be fine. But if it was me, I'd sell the current truck with the OMEs on it, private sale. And then find a low mileage TRD PRO take-off suspension for the new truck.

 

I'm Google impaired today - don't ask - but are the Icon RXT's the leaf packs with the extra leaf you place in the pack as needed?

What tire size are you running?

 

Yes. You can adjust the spring's lift/strength amount as needed.

Tires are about 31.6" in diameter. 265/70r17 on stock GX470 wheels (plus Spydertrax wheel spacers). I'll next move up to "tall skinnies"...either 32s or 33s.

 

Sending a PM for more info so I don't derail this thread any further

 

Yea on the RXT packs. They’re awesome and perfect with a mid travel setup. Droopy droop and you can AAL etc for weight

 

At 60k those OME shocks are probably pretty shot unless it is 60k of gliding over smooth as glass roads. Id go new with your new truck. My '21 is up to 58k. No issues mechanically. A couple noises in the interior has been the biggest gripe.

 

Haha! My driveway is ¼ mile of gravel and probably not as nice as some of the fire roads that most guys call "offroading" so with that said, I'll be shopping for new coilovers as well.
Any budget-friend internal bypass shocks out there?

 

Ive been shopping in the same arena. I haven’t found any free lunch. You get what you pay for. Stick with the trusted brands, OME, Bilstein, Dobinsons.

 

Does anyone know where you can buy the trd pro fox suspension?

 

I ended up with Bilstein 6112s and 5160 reservoir shocks in the rear with Icon RXT leaf packs. Shooting for 2" front and rear and I think those options give me the best "bang for the buck" package...even if not that sexy