1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Soften my RIDE PLEASE

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Tacoma97Toyota, May 9, 2011.

  1. May 9, 2011 at 11:56 AM
    #1
    Tacoma97Toyota

    Tacoma97Toyota [OP] Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
    Member:
    #56342
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    97 Tacoma Reg 2WD
    HELLO,
    I'm new here and recently bought a 97 Tacoma reg cab, 2wd and 2.4l 4cyl engine(wanted something I could lift but still get better MPG than my SUV). Has a 3" body lift as of right now and stock exhaust. I rarely go off road, although the streets of Los Angeles may as well be like minor off roading because they don't know how to make a flat road here. I can't go over 60mph before it becomes too unsafe to drive, too bouncy!!

    Initially it had a FABTECH lift on the front and removed because I HATED the ride. There was absolutely no bounce, aside from the tires so I replaced with stock springs and it has improved the ride by 30%. The previous owner had recently installed Heavy duty KYB shocks in the front and am thinking to replace those to even soften the ride. It's still pretty stiff on the front and rear. Currently running 265/70-15 on it.

    Right now my choices are Monroe sensa-trac OR mid to heavy duty shocks by Gabriel. Price is a factor, I don't have $50-60+ to spend on every shock so my price range is around $30-35 a shock. Any personal experience with either of these shocks or recommend another brand that's not too expensive, I'd appreciate? please include the part number if you know it. Thanks!
     
  2. May 9, 2011 at 12:59 PM
    #2
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    Member:
    #19185
    Messages:
    23,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Doug
    Lakeside, Ca / Gardnerville, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2004 DC TRD 4x
    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    Dump the body lift, go back to stock... all the way around, or buy a car.. it is a truck after all :notsure:
     
  3. May 9, 2011 at 3:24 PM
    #3
    lvlytaco

    lvlytaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Member:
    #44328
    Messages:
    72
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Allan
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    Got Lip?
    6" procomp basic lift, alpine dbl din, 9" headrest screens, mb quart components, jl amp, yellow top battery, wet okole seat covers all around
    drop psi in the tires and or add weight to the truck to soften the ride
     
  4. May 9, 2011 at 9:43 PM
    #4
    Tacoma97Toyota

    Tacoma97Toyota [OP] Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
    Member:
    #56342
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    97 Tacoma Reg 2WD
    There was almost 36 psi in the tires, I've lowered to 30 now. It helped, much better. Thanks
     
  5. May 9, 2011 at 10:08 PM
    #5
    achirdo

    achirdo I Weld!

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Member:
    #34819
    Messages:
    10,267
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    North DFW
    Vehicle:
    06 dodge ram 3500 5.9 cummins
    Well you could go alll out and get king coilovers :D
     
  6. May 10, 2011 at 9:42 AM
    #6
    Tacoma97Toyota

    Tacoma97Toyota [OP] Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
    Member:
    #56342
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    97 Tacoma Reg 2WD
    I might be able to afford a set of Bilsteins on the front. Any recommendations of which model??
     
  7. May 10, 2011 at 9:43 AM
    #7
    achirdo

    achirdo I Weld!

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Member:
    #34819
    Messages:
    10,267
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Adam
    North DFW
    Vehicle:
    06 dodge ram 3500 5.9 cummins
    5100s set at 0
     
  8. May 10, 2011 at 9:48 AM
    #8
    mjohn617

    mjohn617 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2010
    Member:
    #33314
    Messages:
    834
    Gender:
    Male
    Petaluma, CA
    Vehicle:
    05 DC TRD sprt silver
    Haha...not doing it...can't make me!
    What's your tire pressure? This is a huge factor!! Go check and follow up.

    ....Damb, already posted...READ FIRST MJOHN!!!

    When I first got my new rims and tires back from a local tire shop, I put them on myself with a lift kit at the same time. The guys at the shop filled the tires to 60PSI!!! They were following the maximum load psi on the side of the tire. Took me like a month the figure out, I thought the rock hard effect was from the new lift.
     
  9. May 10, 2011 at 9:54 AM
    #9
    808matt

    808matt Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2009
    Member:
    #18604
    Messages:
    667
    Gender:
    Male
    hawaii
    Vehicle:
    19 Ranger
  10. May 11, 2011 at 11:36 AM
    #10
    Tacoma97Toyota

    Tacoma97Toyota [OP] Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
    Member:
    #56342
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    97 Tacoma Reg 2WD

    The PSI now is around 28-30psi. What should I set it at?
     
  11. May 11, 2011 at 11:37 AM
    #11
    Tacoma97Toyota

    Tacoma97Toyota [OP] Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
    Member:
    #56342
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    97 Tacoma Reg 2WD
    5100 set at 0, got it - THANKS!
     
  12. May 11, 2011 at 11:40 AM
    #12
    Tacoma97Toyota

    Tacoma97Toyota [OP] Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2011
    Member:
    #56342
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    97 Tacoma Reg 2WD
    ha, thx for the candy
     
  13. May 11, 2011 at 11:43 AM
    #13
    97yota4wd

    97yota4wd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    Member:
    #42280
    Messages:
    12,846
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Mesa, AZ
    Vehicle:
    alot of metal, small engine, decent travel.
    caged, camburg long travel, 50t leafpack (soon to be installed) light rack over cab, 5pt harnesses etc
    yeah thats your best bet. body lifts are always a bad ride.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top