Wanted: smoother ride!

My '21 TRD OR (DCSB) has 55k miles on it. Only suspension upgrades have been Bilstein 5100 shocks & Sumo Springs. Running on 265/75r16s on 16" Pro wheels. Not looking to add height or bigger tires, just want a smoother ride. I also would rather not have to mod my front suspension or get new shocks again. Dont tow or haul much. Whadda recommend? New rear leaf springs, add-a-leaf, something else?

 

Bilsteins are known to be a bit stiffer as far as shocks go, due to their digressive valving. I would say maybe put some softer OME springs on, but correct me if I’m wrong, I think bilstein reccomend using anything other than OE springs. Shock valving and spring rate are the two main things that will change your ride comfort. I have OME Nitrocharger shocks all around, with the soft valved struts up front, with their 887 coils, and an icon add a leaf kit for the rear, where I took off the overload since I don’t haul an excessive amount of weight.

I would recommend getting something like OME nitrochargers or fox 2.0s or 2.5s that are going to have a more progressive or linear type of damping. If you don’t opt for something like fox coilovers which are more expensive, definitely get some OME coils, I would recommend the lightest ones which are 887 I believe. They’ll give you 2 inches of lift with a spring rate of 590 lbs. For the rear, a good add a lead kit will do you fine, but if you have the money, a whole new pack may be a better option. Just my $0.02.

Out of curiosity, are you at stock height with the bilsteins? You said you weren’t looking to add height but wasn’t sure if you were already raised a little bit or if you were at stock height.

Also if you haven’t, definitely look into a clamshell bushing.

 

5100's all around right now? Are the sumo spring touching frame? How old are 5100's what spring/ setting on 5100's in front, if they are 5100's?

 

I had the front bilsteins set on the 3rd clip to level the truck. No other suspension mods (front or rear) besides the 5100s on all 4 corners and Sumo springs.

 

I think my Sumos are touching the frame. My rear springs look flat, which suprises me @ 55k miles, b/c I dont carry or tow heavy loads.

 

Stock OR springs? Is it riding on sumo"s, are they the 612-40's or 610-40"s sumo springs.

 

They are all flat, or negative arch, like a W That's how these springs are on Tacoma's.
They should be 612 series, 610's are 2nd gen and Tundas 612 are shorter. Shouldn't be touching unloaded.

 

Do you have E or C range tires?
That makes a huge difference imo.

 

Sumos are 612-40s. My tires are p-metric Yokohama geolanders

 

And yes, original OEM stock OR springs

 

I’d trade it while the value is high… wait for 4th gen

 

Ridgeline?

 

Well if sumo's are touching, that's giving you a stiffer ride. Add a leaf is going to also, same with new leafs. Like mentioned 5100's will give you firmer ride over stock OR suspension. Going back stock is about all you can do, if you want softer ride. The sacrifice of lifting.

 

Join me in my experiment. It's free.

I took off my sway bar yesterday. I know that everyone says to do it. But I've resisted. So far... I like it. It really takes the harshness out of it. It makes the aftermarket suspension work like it should, I just have to get used to the little bit of extra roll.

I got a small business trip this week, only 1.5 hours out of town. Instead of grabbing a company vehicle like I usually do, I'm going to ride my truck. It it does comfortably there, then the sway bar is probably staying off.

But anyways, try that before throwing more money at it.

 

I mean lifting doesn’t always sacrifice ride quality, especially if you’re going from something like the sport shocks and factory coils to a progressive shock and lighter spring like an OME setup. But if you’re throwing on blocks and spacers, yeah it’s gonna ride like shit.

 

I actually don’t think blocks and spacers affect ride stiffness, at least I can’t tell. My truck has them and my neighbor has a pretty new sport like mine that is still currently stock. We’ve driven trucks over same roads, trading out and seemed to ride same. I recently put some OME yellow shock upgrades in back and needed new tires, so I decided on P rated tires and now we think my truck rides better than his stock. Can somebody explain why they think spacers or blocks messes up ride?

 

what air pressure you use?

 

Is it just rear suspension?

I'm in a similar boat as you. Stock OR with factory Bilsteins. Don't want a lift or bigger tires. I want a more compliant ride over small pavement imperfections. The term "better ride" is wildly ambiguous.

I found this person who experimented on his Colorado that was interesting to me, maybe interesting for you. https://www.coloradofans.com/thread...-suspension-trail-kit-review-and-sale.417296/

 

Factory leaf springs have a slight negative arch from factory. No one pays attention until its time to find something to blame.