Swap TRD Sport for TRD Off-Road Shocks/Springs

This raises a question I have (new to tacos). Is the OR rear suspension normally really bouncy? I hit a depression at speed and couldn’t believe how much spring there was in the rear. It didn’t bounce repeatedly (like bad shocks with no damping) but that first rebound surprised me. Is that normal?

 

I don’t have experience with the TRD sport but I had a full size Silverado with HD shocks previously. After driving the TRD off-road I noticed the suspension is soft but it feels like more travel. The same railroad tracks in the Tacoma feel like driving over pillows compared to a couple harsh jolts. There is a slight bit of nose dive on hard braking though. Overall if you’re looking for something less harsh I would say it’s worth the switch.

 

If you have a 2015 then the ride is different from the 3rd Gens which are definitely smoother and quieter.

 

Older thread but was wondering if there is anymore experience with this? I can grab some brand new 2022 OR’s for like $200-$250, was thinking on these garbage roads where I live it could be a nice improvement over the sports.

 

I agree the 5100s would be a better upgrade than the Off Road, but disagree about the stiffer ride the Off Road shocks offer. They are much smoother than the Sport shocks.

 

Sounds like a good deal if they are new with the springs. I might have done that with mine if new ones were available.

FWIW - Another option if no springs and you don’t plan to lift for close to that price range ($300 ish if you look around for them) are the Bilstein 4600 with the Sport Springs. Just recently put some on my sport and it drives a lot better. I don’t own an Off-road, but consensus from others seems to be that the 4600 with sport springs is a little stiffer than OR, but softer than Sport. I can confirm they are softer than the Hitachis.

 

Every post Ive ever read explains Sport shocks will lean more towards better on-road performance, than the Off-Roads “softer” shocks .

 

It’s just the shocks. I’m not unhappy with my sport and I’m not lifting, was just wondering if the cheap swap over was worth it or not to get a softer ride with the roads I drive in.

 

my trd sport has bilstein shocks

 

The Off Road shocks are great right out off the box. Only reason people change them out is to get a Lift. Mine where just fine when I bought my Off Road, but I too wanted a lift.

When I test drove the Sport vs the Off Road, it was the 1st thing I noticed. Much stiffer ride in the Sport. Once I hoped in the Off Road, I was sold. The 17" rims have a bit to do with the stiffer ride too.

 

i might give it a try, it’s a super cheap change and if I don’t like it I can just switch back. I’ve been there and done that with the lifts and 5100’s etc. I’m just looking for a softer ride and was wondering if anyone who has done this had any feedback.

 

Don't confuse soft or firm with smooth or harsh, they are not the same thing and you can have firm shocks that are smooth or soft shocks that are harsh. This is the difference between high and low speed dampening. Having recently upgraded to 6112s I can confirm that they are much more firm than OR shocks however they are much much smoother (less harsh).

I'n short, I don't know how harsh the Sport shocks are but the OR shocks are soft yet still have a level of harshness. High quality shocks can be soft or firm, choose what you want, but also remove the harshness. Garbage roads with lots of washboards and potholes will be HARSH but going with a SOFT shock won't automatically fix that.

Digressive valving will give you a controlled drive (firm) but will reduce harshness.