REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

I'm curious what coil spring you are referring to that would be an upgrade?

The 3rd gen coils are a 700lb spring and to my knowledge there isn't a heavier spring if you are doing it for added weight in the front. A different spring at the same spring rate won't ride any better either. If you go to a lighter spring weight, then you'll loose ride height and it may affect the balance of the suspension. I noticed quite a bit more dive and lean in corners after switching to 6112's which have 600lb springs from the 3rd gen setup. I have actually selling the current setup and going back to the 3rd gen setup because I felt like it was more composed and I only gained about 1-1.5" over the 3rd gen setup which hasn't been as big of upgrade as I originally thought. If you just want a little more height, then spacers are the way to go IMO. A taller spring will reduce your droop because the shaft is extended with a taller spring. So if you can droop (estimates here) 4" at the tire now, with a 1" longer spring you'll end up only have 3" of droop from resting height. With a spacer, you'll loose it on compression. But I think loosing compression height is the better of 2 evils here. Your tires won't stuff as far and when it's at full compression it will keep you a little higher to clear obstacle. It's a give and take and everyone prioritizes one thing over another.

Leaf springs though, I can absolutely agree that those can probably benefit from an upgrade.

EDIT - I misunderstood your post. It sounds like you were only able to the shocks only with no springs. I leave the rest of it for reference though...

 

I don't know if your still looking for an answer and for some reason I haven't been getting notifications for this thread.

The TRD Pro leaf springs will fit no problem. But they might be a smidge of a lift. Especially if you got some 22+ TRD Pro leaf springs since those are about 1.5" higher from the factory than the 16-21 Pro. I don't know spring rates and to my knowledge no aftermarket companies post leaf spring spring rates?

 

Did you find TRD Off road or sports? If you have Off roads (Bilsteins) I would really find a set of complete takeoffs and get them shipped. Like these:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...e-me-a-reasonable-offer.786057/#post-28121486

 

swapped out original shocks on my 2nd gen for gently used (20k miles) 3rd gen set up. The feel of the suspension is much improved up front. Little disappointed with only gaining about a half inch of lift from the 3rd gen. I'm wondering if the sumo springs the frame is riding on in the back is limiting upward lift.

 

@mgfab3 Did you swap shocks or Coil overs (Shock/Springs)? Also were they the OffRoad ones becuase if not, theres the issue. They gave me a little over an inch up front and zilch in the back except refreshing my tired ass old springs

 

Shocks and springs from 2020 off road. Was hoping for more lift but handling is better so not a total disappointment.

 

I just installed a full set of low mileage, locally sourced 3rd Gen TRD Pro shocks and coilovers. My 2010 already had the 3+1 springs in the rear plus a set of Hellwig helpers for towing my boat. The new suspension gave me 2" up front for a nice level stance. The ride is so much better now.

 

I just did rear leafs and shocks this weekend and the difference is night and day over the 122k units I had on there before. You don't notice the difference over time but all the slop over bumps in the rear is gone.

Fronts going on this weekend.

 

I just replaced the shocks, struts and leaf springs on my 2006 DCLB Prerunner with 200k miles with the same parts from a 2020 Sport. Oh my god, what a difference! Not much a change in lift, as noted below. But the ride quality is so much better. Night and day. For the $150 I paid for the parts and the $350 to have them installed, I'll call it a win.

Measurements in inches from center of hub to fender.


Old New Difference


Left Driver Front 20.5 21.5 1”

Left Driver Rear 21.75 22.0 .25”

Right Passenger Front 20.5 21.25 .75”

Right Passenger Rear 21.25 21.75 .5”

 

@JRP1970 Fantastic! Glad youre happy!! and yeah the Off Road ones give you "more" of the lift, but I feel ya. When I did mine, I was like whoa...new truck?!!?

 

Working on doing this with my 08. For the most part it's gone pretty well, but the last corner is giving me trouble. Right side leaf spring won't line up exactly. Either the two through bolts will fit and the center pin won't line up in its hole on the axle, or I can get the pin set but a through bolt hole is off. In either case it's about half an inch but I can't pry it forward or back to line up.

 

Great info and instructions!

Just curious if anyone has an informed opinion on changing out 2010 Tacoma Sport OEM shocks, springs, and coil-overs with 2023 Tacoma Off-Road OEM shocks, springs, and coil-overs?

Will it all fit properly?

The seller says the 2023 suspension is brand new and is asking $400.

 

Itll all fit! I did this! Except the lower control arms, I dont think they fit...but Im not sure. I know the uppers and coil overs and shocks do!

 

Just to clarify, are you saying you installed 2023 shocks, springs, and coil-overs onto your 2013 truck with the 2013 OEM lower control arms?

Also, is your 2013 Tacoma a Sport 4x4?

Thanks for responding. Much appreciated.

 

Yes. All 2nd and 3rd Gen tacos suspensions are compatible. You could put 2nd gen on 3rd if you wanted! Mines an SR5, but that makes zero difference on what you want to do. and at $400, what a deal!

 

Thanks to this amazing thread I searched and found some 2020 TrdOR front coilovers and rear shocks with 4k on em (vs my current 113k) for my 2015 dbl cab prerunner 4 banger.

Im still thoroughly confused on the dot color side... red and green on driver? Some posts say it doesn't matter, some do, some years have diff colors? I get the coil end need to face rear but this color dot thing is doin my head in


I'm having a time trying to find a shop to put these on locally simply cos I dont have the tools or space to do it - so when I do find a place I wanna make sure I convey it all correctly to the mechanics

 

Coil end facing rear. Ignore the dots. Worked for me. I have read a lot of opinions about the dots. I appreciate opinions and ideas and the helpful discussion that goes with them, but there doesn't seem to be confirmed facts to back them up when it comes to the dots. That's my $0.02

 

With the exception of 5 lug, 2wd suspension stuff if I remember correctly.

 

@Import Driver Yep, I forget about the 5 luggers...they are different! and as far as the dots, toyota part numbers for the left and right springs are the exact same for the 3rd gen, so, shouldnt matter...
Coil Spring (Left, Right, Front)
Part Number: 4813104551
Supersession(s): 48131-04551; 4813104550


FRONT COIL, LEFT; FRONT COIL, RIGHT.

 

man where are you finding these take off suspensions. I look almost daily and never find them and all I really need is the rear leaf springs, I already have a set of take-off rear shocks that I got from a friend of a friend.