Upgrading suspension on Trail Edition for better ride quality?

I currently have a 2022 Trail Edition. It does ride a little harder kind of like the TRD sport. Tuned for more road than off-road. I just recently installed a 2-in spacer up front and 1 in in the rear. After alignment I noticed the suspension was much stiffer and bouncing way too much. I was avoiding potholes. Upon reading a lot of forums I found out that the Hitachi shocks are tuned in between TRD sport bilstein's and standard SR5 shocks. I found on Facebook marketplace a set of TRD off-road Bilstein yellow and blue shocks and struts with springs that someone took off when he did a lift. I installed them and it was a world of difference! So much smoother! I don't understand why they just didn't put them on the trail edition in the first place

 

I am putting 5100s on the front Friday. I will give an update after.

 

Are the coil springs the same for the TE and other Tacomas(not counting Pro)? If so, then the only difference is the struts?

 

Trail Edition uses different front springs to get the 1.1" lift.

 

Yes the OE springs are taller. No spacer to get the 1.1" lift. I will be using the OE springs and the 5100 set to stock height. Should keep the same lift height as from factory, just replacing the Hitachi shocks with the bilsteins. I like the height in front. I already put 5100s in the back and replaced the 1/2" OE block with 1" inch aluminum blocks. That's how I plan to keep it.

 

Fox 2.0s are a good start for stock weight but they have to be cranked up quite a bit on the 3rd gens for a 2" lift unless they have an option for 650lb springs which would be perfect. I found that out swapping them from my 2nd which had level setting to my 3rd gen that had a forward rake to it on the same setup.

 

Still running the stock TRDOR shocks and I’m very happy with the cushy ride. The only modification I’ve made is removal of the sway bar which softened it up a little more. She’s still controllable enough for me but I’m no stranger to oddball equipment, I was a heavy equipment operator in a previous life. Oh, because the ride is so compliant, I increased the tire pressure to 39psi, that made it a little harsher but I wouldn’t consider it harsh.

 

I bet that is a nice set up. TRD OR shocks were a little soft for me on my new TRD OR but with the increased spring weight of the TE would have likely helped with that. I swapped the TRD OR shocks with 5100's set at 4th notch and very happy.

 

Just remember there is a difference between soft/firm and smooth/harsh.

The stock OR shocks are soft, but are not smooth.
My 6112s are firm but as WAY smoother.

Generally speaking harshness goes down as you get more expensive. This is NOT firmness! Harshness is high speed dampening and is road joints, potholes, high speed bumps.
Firmness is how much the body moves. This is cornering, dive, etc.

You can have a firm ride that is not harsh, you can also have a soft ride that IS harsh.

Fox shocks with progressive valving will be soft and firm up as speed increases. 6112s will be firm but take high speed bumps well.

Pick your poison.

 

Sumo Spring front bump stops helped alot with the small bumps. Easy to install as well.

 

Installed the 5100s on the front of my 2023 Trail using OE springs. Used stock setting on the 5100s. Ride height was exactly the same after install, which is what I expected. Ride is great, maybe a little firmer and does not effect the spring rate at all. Love the result and done with suspension. I already install 5100s on the rear and replaced the the factory rear block with a 1" block. So front and rear lift height is 1".

 

Thats great. I thought the factory rear block on the Trail is already a 1" block.

 

Nope. 1/2 block is OE on Trail Edition, leveling truck. I wanted the rear slightly higher than front so I switch it out.

 

Do research for what you want. I been reading everything to find a happy medium and Im still conflicted.

 

Thanks for clarification. I don't blame you for the extra rear lift.... I'd do the same.

 

If not sure what to do..... do nothing.

 

Currently my situation lol

 

Haha, I've been there a few times. My free advise is.... No hurry.

 

Didn't go with the 4600s because my understanding is they are for stock height on TRD OR which sits and inch lower that my Trail. The 5100s are designed for lifted applications and the ones I put on the rear are for 0-1" lift and the fronts are for 0-2" lift, using the TRD OR as the point of reference. Does that make sense?