REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

So you're saying best to find springs off a 2021 TRD OR with short bed and double cab (similar to my 2015 trim)? (not just 3rd gen TRD OR takeoffs only).

 

ANY TRD OR..

 

Any of the 3rd gen leaf springs. Long bed or double cab won't make a difference since that is a change in the frame. The leaf springs will be the same on all of them. The TRD OR coil overs and shocks will provide the best ride over the sport and black set.

 

I’m considering this 3rd gen TRD OR setup for my 2008 4wd access cab w/ 106k miles. I had a new frame installed last year, which included the new 3+1 TSB leaf springs.

i plan to add a cap and minimalist platform with drawers within the next 6-12 months. Trying to decide if AAL or replacement leaf packs are necessary to beef up the rear to compensate for the additional weight, or if the 3rd gen suspension would be enough on its own.

Ride quality and road feel are my main interest, not overly concerned with lift or stance. If whatever modifications I made did happen to also lift the truck a bit, I’d want it to 2” or less.

 

3rd Gen rear suspension would be the same as your 3+1 You could try Sumo Springs, which is what I have, but I only have a hard bed cover not a shell. The ride’s great, I had Hellwig overload spring before, the critic, aka the wife prefers the current setup a lot more. I have 3rd Gen in the front and 3+1 springs, Sumos and 5100 shocks in the back. Very happy with the setup.

 

So I've been trying to decide what to do about my suspension for some time now. I bought my '08 TRD Sport double cab short bed 4x4 I'm Jan '22 at auction. It was wrecked (deer hit) and so I was able to fix it with my parts of choice which included an ARB bumper. With stock suspension the front end immediately sagged 1/2" and 6 weeks later it had settled another 1/4" (3/4" total). Heavy bump, no surprise.

Of course everyone suggests 5100's and OME coils at the cheapest. But this is a budget build for me so dropping $600 for front suspension isn't happening. When I finally came across this thread I was really excited to hear about the stiffer 3rd gen coils!

So today I was able to slap on a set of barely used 3rd gen TRD OR shocks & coils ($80+shipping) with a 3/8" spacer driver's side and a 1/4" passenger side. Ended up gaining 2.5" on the driver's side and 2.25" on the passenger side. So basically I gained the 0.75" from the springs, 0.5" from the spacers, plus I gained back the 0.75" of sag from the ARB bumper (which others shouldn't expect).

Measurements are center of hub to fender.

ARB bumper on stock suspension
LF = 19.75" - RF = 19.75"
LR = 21" - RR = 21.5"

ARB bumper, 3rd gen TRD OR shocks & coils with a 3/8" spacer driver's side and a 1/4" passenger side
LF = 22.25" - RF = 22"
LR = 21" - RR = 21.5"

The truck rides a million times better! At this point I'm very happy that I didn't spend $600! I hope this helps people with armor that are trying to decide what coils to run since I couldn't find anything.

I wish I had done 1/4" spacers on both sides instead of the 3/8" on left and 1/4" on right but it's not a huge deal. I'm also hoping the front settles a bit.

I thinking that if the front settles a little (1/4-1/2") and if I did a 1/2" block on the left rear it would be sitting pretty good. But maybe I'll do 1" blocks instead. Add a leaf would put me too high in my opinion. In know people don't suggest blocks, I'm not woried. Thoughts?

 

Blocks are OK for looks not funcionality...they do allow more axle wrap. So if you wheel your truck, an add a leaf would be your best option. Good Looking truck!

 

I'm sure by now your front has settled, but I would assume if you removed the spacers from the from front it would be very close to level. I would probably put the 1/4" spacer on the drivers side since it does tend to sag.

To be honest thoug, I would probably leave the front alone and see if you can score some rear leaf take off's and go from there. My assumption is that the leaf springs are probably sagging since the front is higher with an ARB bumper on 3rd gen front shocks/springs. If you didn't get the 3rd gen TRD OR rear shocks with your setup, that would be a good upgrade as well since the damping is quite a bit better also.

 

You're thinking almost exactly what I've been thinking. I for sure like the front height so I don't plan on removing the spacers. And I'm keeping an eye out for 3rd gen leaf springs.

I have 5100s in the rear.

On a side note I'm going to install a 1/2" block to see if it corrects the lean in the left rear.

Maybe it has settled a tiny bit. But I'll post my heights in a couple weeks after I take it on a trip.

 

Follow up.. it all worked out. She loves the new gear. The ride is stiffer, but is more responsive.

 

Anyone know of the 3rd gen TRD Pro leafs are the same as the 3rd Gen TRD OR leafs? I'm looking at the part numbers and they don't seem to match from a post of someone who is selling them.

Also does anyone know the leave pack thickness between the tsb leaf pack vs the 3rd gen TRD leaf pack?

 

I may have missed it but are the rear leafs side dependent? I am putting fresher leafs off a 3rd gen on my 2nd gen. One has yellow lettering and I think i read somewhere that is the drivers side....

 

rears no, the fronts have the colored dots..

 

one side has white lettering. one side has yellow lettering. not side dependant at all?

ok

 

the rear leafs ARE specific to what side they go on. I think that it has something to do with the way one of the spring wraps is drilled/tapped for a bolt that holds the parking brake cable.

 

i will have to look when i get home and see if there is a physical difference.

 

Here's an update on my ride height.

ARB bumper on stock suspension
LF = 19.75" - RF = 19.75"
LR = 21" - RR = 21.5"

9/27/2022
ARB bumper, 3rd gen TRD OR shocks & coils with a 3/8" spacer driver's side and a 1/4" passenger side
LF = 22.25" - RF = 22"
LR = 21" - RR = 21.5"

11/24/2022 UPDATE
LF = 21.75" - RF = 21.75"
LR = 21" - RR = 21"

So after 2 months the front settled about 1/4-1/2". So I got a 2" lift for a great price and I love the stiff 3rd gen coils with the ARB Bumper. Most people shouldn't expect 2". I got 2" of lift because my front coils were sagging under the weight of the ARB bumper. The 3rd gen coils can definately handle the weight.

 

This is a great thread and based on all the great feedback/info! I swapped takeoff Bilstein's from a 2022 TRD OR front strut assemblies and rear struts (approx 2k miles) onto my 2007 DCLB 2wd Prerunner with 140k miles. It's definitely improved the ride quality, reminds me of when it was new much stiffer front end less sway in corners, reduced front end dive on harder braking. I would estimate the front end seems 1"-2" higher than it was with the original stock suspension, though did not take any measurements to confirm.

I ran out of time this weekend so I did not install the take-off leaf springs, most likely a project for the new year.

 

Swapped my shocks for a set from a low mileage 2022 TRD. Been a couple of months and so far been riding good on my stock springs. Looking to upgrade the coils and leafs next, but up here in Alaska shipping costs are brutal and it can be hard to find anything locally

 

OK....the rears are side specific. On the wrap there is a threaded hole that has to be facing outward for the parking brake cable. In the picture below (not my truck) its the cable with the zinc coated bracket.