Best 1st gen Tacoma coilovers?

I am currently running the bilstein adjustable shocks with the stick coils and find the suspension kinda stiff for my liking. Every pothole seems like a huge bump and I am looking for something smoother. What would be the best bang for buck suspension replacement/modifications to improve this? Also are the TRD shocks worth the money?

 

Check out Shock Surplus on YouTube.

 

How deep can you reach in your pocket will define what you run, lol

 

I would like to Shay cheaper or find something that would be good to buy used.

 

My honest recommendation is to buy a set of coilovers that can be tuned and freshen up later when require. Fox Kings etc. pay a little more for quality and longevity

Reach out to AccuTune

 

I run these, but they are as close to stock as you can get. Best price I found anywhere, fully assembled coilovers. Very responsive via email. and they ship from warehouses across the country, mine came in a few days. They have lots of lift options too.

 

Fox 2.0s can usually be had for around $1200-1300 for our trucks (for a full set of assembled coilovers and 2 rear shocks), at various online retailers.

My friend put them on his '98 Xtra Cab, and I've been really impressed with how that truck rides on and offroad.

I've got Icon 2.5s and they're pretty good, but I honestly think the Fox 2.0s outperform them at a lower price point

 

I would like try before you buy...
However, This is frowned upon from most shops suppliers to my experience in suspension rideability issues and solving it

 

Try before you buy? You mean there are shops out there that don’t want to loan out a product potentially costing over $1000 that are immediately no longer in new condition the second they’re on a vehicle? Madness

In this case, the more you spend generally means the more you get in terms of adjustability, ride quality, and build quality. Want the ability to adjust the shock compression? Get coilovers with shock reservoirs and DSC adjustment. Want the ability to adjust the ride height? Threaded collars let you refine to fractions of an inch. Adding a ton of weight? Swapping out for heavier coils is pretty easy. Longevity wise, adjustable coilovers from King, Accutune, Fox, Icon, etc are completely rebuildable, so buy once cry once, especially if you can rebuild them yourself

 

I would just like a guarantee that the product will solve the rideability issues the truck has had since the OEM absorbers were done
So far the three brands (medium, budget, and costly) tried have made absolutely NO noticeable difference. There is a nasty road bump I cringe driving over nearly every day and usually just take the longer way around through the maze of speed bumps lol

A truly customer focused shop would have a 'used' set on hand to have a deposit paid to try it out, see if you like it or no, and if you do then come back for the new set costing in excess of
Now that is what I am talking about!!

 

After several variants, stock, old man emu, Sway-a-way 2.0, Icon 2.5 with 650lb coils and 700lb coils, now Fox with DSC resi’s with 700lb coils, each iteration has a been a felt improvement. It’s still a truck, and being that it’s a narrow truck, it’s more susceptible to body roll, and the geometry of the truck was not built for a supple ride, but to be a compromise of capability, dependability, and economy, especially compared to big 3 automakers starting to put leather in full size truck around that time.

I’m super heavy, wedge camper, bumpers, skids, etc, which tames out the ride, but I hit a pothole, I feel it.

Modern trucks are built with Cadillac interior appointments and soft springs. Toyota tried to do that with the Limited Tacoma I have and the rear springs are absolute shit, I need to use my truck, I can’t have a truck that can’t carry anything, so I had to add helper springs, now my leafs are shaped like S’s.

It reminds me of a friend who’s owned a 97 4Runner fur like 20 years, then a few years ago he bought an 01 Tacoma, and asked if the ride was really that bad or if he needed new shocks/struts

I told him weight is what will help the ride, similar to the weight characteristics of a 4Runner. Other than that, it’s a truck designed built in the late 20th century, it’s never going to ride like a Cadillac

 

These things are an Ox cart. Only so much you can ask of suspension. That said, I love my Toytech suspension, it constantly surprises me with the ride and driveability over crap roads. But it isn't magic. It's hilarious to take the same roads/trails in my Cayenne. Very different. But not an ox cart.

 

What’s the best setup to make the front flex more? I feel like my rear axle does all the work.

 

Softer springs and duro bumps go a long way towards that goal. Small changes in spring rate can be dramatic.

 

A 3 link w/14 CO will flex more

 

Just need $10k

 

back to my statement. how deep can OP reach into his pocket will determine what he buy….

Want more IFS flex, LT
Want sturdiness and flex, 3link SA

 

The thing about rebuildable coilovers and not being able to rent them out is that the valve shims in them need to be matched to several individual characteristics like weight and driving style for the vehicle. Every truck is different in this regard and expensive coilovers aren't going to ride as well as they should unless some time is spent working on the valving and spring choice.

 

If I had to do over, somewhere between 40’s and tunz or leafs and a waggy, I’ve spent enough on different mid travel stuff.

To be serious, ideally, you need two trucks- one you chop up and experiment with, then there is no wrong answer, only temporary setbacks, and the one you treat like a normal car.

 

yep, especially if you plan to “offroad” with the truck. I know plenty of folks who spend $$ on mid travel or long travel to SA after breaking or feeling the need to change.

prerunner want 4wd
4wd want locked front and rear
Double lock eventually go SA

spend the money and cry once



I have the same saying, a family of 2 driver will need 3 vehicle. A plus one is recommended