Upgrading suspension on Trail Edition for better ride quality?

I apologize if this has been a topic before. This is my first Tacoma. I love the truck, but I just don’t care for the way it rides. I live in area where the roads are not good. Honeslty I bought the truck for my daily plus lite duty maybe some small trail fun but I’m disappointed in Toyota putting oem base suspension on the trial. I know it’s a truck and don’t expect to ride like a Cadillac. I did ride in a trd pro and it definitely felt smoother on bumpy roads. I just don’t know what route to go? My luck I would spend a bunch of money and it ride harsher. I’m open to suggestions. Ty

 

I actually think the trail rides much better than any other of the trim levels except pro.

You will need to upgrade a better suspension, so at least 2k budget. 6112s, fox 2.0 or better.

The trd off-road may handle the washboard slightly better but it drives nearly the same.

 

Tail Edition

 

5100s aren’t a big enough change and are known to ride harsh. Op wants a soft ride that floats on gravel roads. It would be a waste. Plus no one has tried the trail spring on a 5100 yet.

 

I've had my TRD Off Road for 250 miles and a little over a week. I feel like it rides fantastic.

 

Wonder if it has to do with the beilstein shocks on there ? I’ve heard they are usually harsh but I think that’s the 5100s. I haven’t ridden in a stock trd off road, just the pro. I just wish they hadn’t of gone with stock Toyota regular shocks and suspension other than a mild lift on the trail.

 

I have not driven a Train Edition but I am sorry to hear that you find it harsh. I do find it strange that they didn't go with the TRD lift Bilstein shocks. I mean the TRD Bilsteins are not expensive and the Trail Edition is actually a fairly expensive Tacoma. Kind of strange. I see TRD OffRoad shocks for sale all of the time in the classifieds. I recommend driving a TRD Off Road so you can compare the rides. My TRD OR rides great but I'm thinking about doing TRD lift shocks or 5100's set at the 1.1" or 1.5" setting with a 1" block or AAL in the rear.

As far as 5100's being harsh, I don't see many 3rd gen owners complain about the 5100's being harsh with OEM springs. But combine heavier coil springs with the 5100's at 4th or 5th notch is a different story.

 

Everyone's opinion on ride quality is different. I've never ridden on another 3rd gen Tacoma, so there is no point of reference. But, my 2021 Trail rides like a "truck". Whatever that means. LOL. If the Pro's ride quality is what you like, then I would start with some FOX shocks and coilovers.

 

Why would he loose his lift with the shocks? I don't think so, but he has to keep the org. sprigs which is where the little bit of lift comes from for the Trails.
5100s ride great imo and for the Pros that I have been and driven seem to be about the same.

 

Look for someone selling (or giving away) the off road shocks. They are softer than the sport/limited shocks. That being said, your springs are brand new...try putting a couple hundred pounds of sand in the bed as close to the cab first to exercise the springs. Shocks are only dampers to movement. If the springs are still stiff and aren't compressing, then any shock in the world wont help you.

 

so can I just take the inexpensive route and just through a set of 5100s all around on the trail edition and just keep the lift for now with no issues? I’m convinced in doing research that it’s not my stock springs. Eventhough I do think they are subpar and will eventually do a full set up.

 

I think your correct. Thanks for correcting me on this. I'll correct my post to prevent future confusion.

 

If you do 5100's and don't want more than the factory Trail 2" front lift, then do the "0" setting. If you really want to be cost effective, look for TRD Off Road shocks, I regularly see them for $100-150. This is what I would do since your unsure of your direction. They are Bilstein 4600's and ride smooth IMO but are a smaller diameter than 5100's.

I'd want to confirm that the TRD Offroad shocks or 5100's will work with the Trail springs and that the seat positions for the shocks are the same before I purchased anything.

 

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned tire pressure yet. If they aren't already, drop your pressure to what it says on the door card, maybe even one or two PSI under that. Even my 6112's will ride like a dump truck on the days it gets hot and my tire pressure goes up.

After that, get in the suspension forum and read reviews on various setups. Every shock, even mid- and high- dollar options, has a different behavior that they emphasize or try to balance. 6112's are much smoother than the 5100's or the stock Sport hitachis, but every bit as firm. (high rate of digressive dampening, but amazing rebound). Maybe that floats your boat, or maybe you want something more loosey-goosey. Take some time to learn suspension behaviors until you can articulate what you want in a suspension, and then find the suspension that matches what you want.

 

For what it’s worth, I can also confirm that the TRD off road shocks are the softest riding of the stock options. I test drove several models before buying my SR5 and the OR was noticeably a more cushy ride on-road.

 

I haven't driven them so I can't say from personal experience, but don't the OR shocks also increase roll on turns and dive on braking? Just something for the OP to be aware of should he decide to consider them.

I have a Sport and the ride was responsive but stiff, and I was debating going to the OR shocks. In December I changed from the OEM Toyos to the Michelin LTX AT2s. The guy who mounted them dropped the pressure from the 38 PSI cold I was running on my Toyos to 32 PSI cold, which makes them ride at 34-35 PSI once they warm up. The lower tire pressure softened the ride enough where I've dumped the idea of changing shocks.

 

Put some mud tires on for a couple weeks. When you put the stock tires back on it will feel softer.

 

Just keep the tire pressure around 32 psi for these tacomas.

 

I knew a guy who had a bad back. He missed work at least once a week. Always his back. He told me he could tell if a penny was heads or tails when he drove over it.

 

I have lower back issues from a 20 year old injury and find my TRD OR very comfy to ride in and also a very comfy seat (no trips yet). I did spring for a Premium though and have quite a few seat adjustments. For reference, I'm 5'7" and 150lbs.