REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

Reading through this thread trying to reach a conclusion here - I had a '18 Pro setup I had rebuilt that I was going to put on my '22 DCSB. I'm switching it up and going to a 2G ACLB, was happy to see I could still use this instead of having to resell - but is early pro suspension going to be something like 3" of lift in front? Possibly more due to the lighter cab? That's more than I want to go, unfortunately, so I'd have to look at different springs, assuming that's a thing, or just sell/swap for a regular OR setup.

 

Just finished my suspension swap and wanted to share my numbers and experience:

2014 DCLB with cap. Just purchased the vehicle a few months ago from single owner that had the dealer do all the maintenance but never did shocks. 120k miles. Assuming cap was on the truck its whole life. Picked up the shocks and coils from a 3rd gen OR with essentially zero miles from a local company that lifts Toyotas for $250. They didn't come with top hats so those were KYB for $50 and had a local shop charge me $140 for compressing the coils and installing. Bought an Icon AAL for $200. Grand total of $650. Install took 7 hours. I had waffled with needing a spacer up front but it came out perfect and exactly how I wanted it.

Height from center of wheel to bottom of fender flare before install:
FD 20.25"
FP 20.25"
RD 21.25"
RP 21.25"

After install:
FD 21.25"
FP 21.25"
RD 22.75"
RP 23.25"

So basically the new 3rd gen OR shocks and coils gave me 1 inch in front and the new shocks and Icon AAL together gave me 1.5 inches in the back, putting me back at factory rake of just about 2 inches. I'll be loading it up with a ton of camping gear and a couple friends next week for a river trip so it will be interesting to see how it settles in. And yes, the Bilstein shocks ride great! (And also got rid of a clunking noise in the front).


Thanks to the OP and everyone else who recommended this cheapish mod! Couldn't be more pleased!

 

does it matter the model? Say an access cab vs a double cab?

 

I believe the AC gets another ~1/2-3/4” over DC due to its lighter weight.

 

sorry, I meant the fit; do all struts, shocks, leaf packs, etc etc, fit either model? Access vs Double?

 

Haven't done it myself yet but I've never seen anything that suggests there's any difference based on cab configuration, just different results due to different weights.

 

did all that just bolt on where the old stuff was without issue? Did you have to add anything? Adjust anything? Do you think it matters if it’s 4.0l or 2.7l?

I’m looking to do what you did, but I’m a complete newb to this.

 

I’m looking to do the same thing; how did it turn out? Any issues? Adjustments? Did the 2018 just bolt right on?

 

The only thing that matters is that you have a 6 lug Tacoma. If you have a single cab it just means it’ll sit higher in the front. The double cab V6 will be the heaviest and the 4 banger singe cab would be the lightest.

 

yeah, she’s 6 lug. But, she’s a 2.7l with 16in rims. I’ve been concerned about whether there’s a difference in suspension components between what’s fitted for a 16in rim base model or a 17in sport/off road model?

 

I have the shocks but was wondering if I should use my stock springs or upgrade? Anyone know what other springs I can run on them? Thanks in advance!

 

I tried using the 2nd gen springs with the 3rd gen sports shocks and it didn't work.

 

Thanks for telling me in advance!! Lucky I didn't start tearing them apart yet

 

I needed the top hats off my old ones so i thought i would give it a try. I will say the sports are pretty firm compared to the old ones.

 

Now to find some oem springs from a 3rd gen

 

How dumb would I be if I switched my 2nd gen TRD OR shocks to 3rd gen TRD Sport's?

I think I need new shocks because I'm bouncing all over the place.(100k 2013 TRD OR) I wouldn't mind a stiffer ride since I don't go off road.

 

To me it depends on two things, location and age. If you live in an area that has rough roads I would run the OR's. Or fit you are older and want a softer ride I would also run OR's. I

I am both of those and I am considering putting my original fronts on with a 2 inch spacer.

 

Might just go OR. Apparently the 3rd gen is stiffer than the 2nd gen from the springs im guessing

Or maybe my shocks are just cooked and I just need any new ones

 

That's what they say, and while it's probably true, I didn't notice a difference in ride quality between my 2nd gen OR and 3rd gen OR suspensions.

 

i did 3rd gen fronts coil assy and rear shocks on my 2nd gen
raised front about an inch and the ride was like it was new