2017 SR - Suspension - How to get softer ride??

Every pothole, every speed bump feels is felt 3x to 5x harder - really hard and jarring. Like the suspension is just ridiculously transferring all the force directly into the cab! **What can I do to dramatically change this for a softer ride?

I do no off roading. I will willingly sacrifice off-road for

No haters please, I bought this for reliability and Home Depot runs and to bulky items like furniture. I use it in the city where the roads have too many potholes.

 

Simply…. Change the shocks/coil overs from a Sport or Offroad. The Sport is in between the SR-SR5 and Offroad. There is alot more, but that’s the simplest/easiest.

 

I have a 2017 base. What exactly would I change to in order to get the softest most comfortable ride? Do you have a specific shock you’d recommend? And do you do both shock and coil over. I don’t know what a coil over is

 

I have a set of offroad shocks front and rear taken off at 5k miles if you happen to be close to northern california

 

With a '17, depending on your miles, the shocks are likely done, and with any kind of load carrying, your springs as well. You may just be transferring the bump from potholes directly to the frame in the form of bottoming out.

 

Off-road is going to be the softest… front is a coil over/strut, back is a shock.



Pay attention to the spring color bands… there is a left and right for the front.

 

SUMOs would be a second/next recommendation… the 4 corners shocks would be a simple/less expensive first solution. Lifters/off-roaders tend to pull them pretty fast, so they’re more available second hand.

 

The basic black SR/SR5 shocks ride softer than the Off-Road/Sport shocks do.


Look for someone selling their take-offs on here for dirt cheap or maybe even just pay shipping.

My 2016 SR rides like butter, your shocks must be shot.

 

I’d disagree, having had all three. Offroad is the Lincoln of shocks. Sport is a little stiffer. I ran Sports on my last offroad. The SR/SR5 were “sufficient” but they were not up to potholes and crappy roads. Won’t disagree his have lived their best life. My 18 was showing signs.

 

What tires are on it and what pressure?

 

where on this forum would I find take offs?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/3rd-gen-tacoma-parts-marketplace-2016-2023.202/

 

The factory SR suspension is already VERY soft. Are you sure you're on the factory suspension? What tires are you currently running? Maybe take some pictures for us to see.

The absolute first thing you should do is check your tire pressure though.

 

Have you had any trucks before this one? If you've only had cars, you're likely used to how cars ride...and you're not gonna get that in a truck.

 

Didn’t you see post #4 ^^^

 

Save a ton of time and trouble and get Bilstein 5100's, all around.

Lift the front 1" (or don't), with the 5100's, get an alignment and call it a day. The 1" lift will eliminate the oem brake dive and will look awesome at the same time.

Best ride for the buck...

 

Despite urban legend shock absorbers will make very little difference in your on-road experience, assuming your current ones aren’t without oil.

Truck suspensions are designed to carry highly varying loads and be durable at the expense of being plush. You can’t have your cake and eat it too… unless you spend a lot of money.

 

These!
Check tire pressures (many shops overfill them and kick em out the door) just a few PSI can and will matter.
Also take pics of suspension, let's see if it has been modified or looks in poor shape.
What vehicle did you come from? So we know what this truck is being compared to.

 

5100s ride significantly stiffer than OEM

 

Sell it and get a cushy sedan and rent a uhaul when you need.