Suspension Question...

Probably an old question, but I've been looking around and I'm not satisfied with everything I'm finding online and on this forum.

I have a 2015 Tacoma SR5 DCSB. I do not offroad at all. I do commuting, mostly highway driving. I have a camper shell on my truck that I use the rack on to haul my Kayaks and whatnot around. I'm at 86k and just did my front brakes and am now pondering the question of suspension. Not really sure if it's time for a refresh, but I want to get in the direction of thinking about it. What would everyone's recommendations be? I keep seeing Bilstein 5100 everywhere on this forum but isn't that for offroad use? Are they sold as a complete strut tower already assembled or do I need to get springs and everything else with it too? Thanks guys.

 

Buy new(ish) complete 3rd Gen assemblies right here in BST section and bolt ‘em on. Do you have the recall rear leaf springs, done?

 

It's a 2015, and when I put the VIN in for Toyota it tells me there are no recalls to be done. I'm the third owner of the vehicle. I'm ASSUMING the rears have been done at some point in there life but I have no way of knowing for sure.

Third gen front strut assemblies are the way to go?

 

Yessir. I did mine a few years ago AND I’ve got another set (thanks to this place) ready to go on…. whenever

 

I'm not super familiar with the BST section so please forgive my ignorance. Would I need to look around in the Third or Second gen section? Or Both?

I saw this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...southern-ca-shipping-ok-reduced-price.730147/

And have been watching it for a while. But I'm not interested in adding lift to my truck. Happy with the stock height.

 

Go to the 3rd Gen buy sell trade section… eventually someone will sell new(ish) take off assemblies. Keep watching…. and good luck!

 

Awesome, thank you. Big help.

 

You’re very welcome. I’ve got upper and lower control arms from here, as well. Didn’t know how much I needed this stuff until I saw prices in the real world compared to the give away price, here

 

Just out of curiosity, what was the going rate for some third gen front struts when you were seeing them? Trying to get an idea for cost.

 

Prices certainly vary on these, some people list full take-off 3rd stock suspension set - upper control arms, front strut assemblies, rear shocks & leaf springs for $200 total. You can find just the front strut assemblies for $100 if you find the right seller. FB marketplace also can be a good place to search for these locally.

 

Awesome.

follow up question:

Should I be looking for struts off a SR5 or would TRD struts work? I’m under the impression TRD struts add lift which would mean I’d then need to lift the rears which probably wouldn’t cost too much more money, but I don’t want my MPGs to drop further.

 

SR5 would be a stock height and soft ride. Someone here might just give them to you

 

Agree with others on the 3rd gen take offs. If you live in or near a large metro-plex the odds of finding them goes way up. If you're in a hurry you could always get Bilstein 4600 shocks for all four corners. If the front coils are decent you won't notice any difference in ride height. With take off front coil overs (spring and shock) you'll get about 1 inch from the spring. BTW-the 4600 shock is not the same as what comes on our truck.

This is the first thread I came across about that difference about and general Q&A about Tacoma shocks.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-4600.450152/

 

Another vote for the third gen take offs. I put them on probably 3 years ago and havent had an issue. The ride is fine for my commute to work and being a bone head on the weekend on some light trails. Dont recall but i believe i only paid like $100 for a set of front and rears, no leafs or control arms. They have served me well.

 

Naturally the TRD struts are stock hight for 3rd Gen. The 3rd gen take offs only give a 1.25 to 1.50 lift in the front on 2nd Gens because it has a stronger spring. I think something like a 700 lb vs the 450 - 500 lb on 2nd Gen if I remember correctly. Don't need to lift the rear since you are looking more of a leveling which will give a nicer look. They also ride better too than the SR5 shocks. If you do get the 3rd gen take offs make sure they are from the off road TRD. The sport ride like crap.

Here is a link to a thread that explains better.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/review-3rd-gen-suspension-on-2nd-gen.542843/

You can get them for around $100 to $300 depending how used they are. I would look around craigslist or facebook market for local listings or here in the 3rd Gen buy and trade section.

This is a link to a guy who can source a couple of 3rd gen take offs with relatively low miles on them. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-front-rear-coil-springs-socal-oc-290.619460/

If you can't reply in the buy and trade section just shot them a PM.

 

My truck sits relatively level as it is due to my cap so I’m worried about putting struts on the front that lift it and then have the front up higher than the rear. But I’ll worry about that bridge when I cross it. I’ll look around for some TRD takeoffs. They’re easier to find than I expected.

Edit: Guess I'm an idiot. My front sits about 1.5 inches lower than the rear. TRD OR is the way then! Someone local is selling a set of Sports with 27k on them for $125 but I'll probably hold off.