Increase ride quality?

What I am looking to do is to keep the height just a bit higher than factory yet give me more of a luxury ride over bumps, handling, etc. I see everyone talking about lifting and getting new shocks, coilovers etc.

What would be my best direction to go in to give me this ride? Like when I go over bumps, I would like to minimize that as well as going over them at a higher speed and jut keep crusin'. Possible? Thanks!

 

Not really looking for firm. I would like the the tires to go over bumps and have that feeling dimished in the cab. Is that possible? Don't really want to lift, just want some thing that can bounce pretty good and not rattle the cab so much. Don't know what I am really looking for so it is hard to explain lol.

 

I know that. Not looking for a caddy, just less in cab bounce. Would a coil over system give a better ride than good shocks and springs? Or is it overkill unless one goes offroad?

 

your ride quality will greatly improve w/ CO's. yes, they are designed for offroad but if you want the best ride quality then thats your best bet. they are adjustable from 0-3in so just crank the collar up (to give you less lift) and it will sit @ stock height and the ride will blow your mind. better than new shocks cause it's a whole performance system all designed to work togtether (coil, shock, valving...)

http://www.outlawoffroadstore.com/22243/72/223/3476/2006_TOYOTA_TACOMA_4.0_V6_GAS.html

 

A coilover system will feel much better than shocks and springs. My opinions are bias, Go with Icon/Donahoe.

 

Would that work with stock TRD Off-Road tires? And that all there is to them? I looked in chris4x4 tread, but no pics and I am having trouble with his links, so I cannot tell how hard it is to replace what I have. Everyone says it is easy however.

 

yeah, true and CO's are about the best it can get. "Luxury" just aint gonna happen...it's a truck

 

Maybe I am getting my usage of "firm" wrong. Right now, lets say I go over a speed bump at a good clip. I feel that. I would like to reduce that. If that means I need a firm suspension that that's what I am looking for. My father-in-law has a Lexus 460. It like riding in that airspeeder from Star Wars. Not that I want the ride of a 460 and I know this is a truck, but I want to bring the Taco as close to that as I can by reducing the harshness of the bumps. Sorry for any consfusion.

 

It will work fine with the stock tires.

 

Just get a full set of OME shocks front and rear and use the factory spring. That will improve your ride significantly without lifting the truck.

Kind Regards,
Ryan
has the shocks front and rear. Don't buy the springs if you don't want to lift. These shocks are lightyears better than the factory bilsteins and they are nice and plush. Cheap too!

Any aftermarket shocks and spring combo will firm up your ride. Best bet is to keep the factory springs and get better valved shocks. This would also yield the cheapest in price.

 

There is more then one way to improve your ride. You will get more then one answer and they, all, will be based on each other experience with that specific product. I think that I know what you are looking for because I had the same questions but I could be completely wrong also. You know that you can't avoid feeling that bump but doesn't have to end in your brain, you know that this is not an BMW M3 but doesn't have to lean like a boat when you go in a curb. I did it in my 05 Sport TRD and in my 09 off road TRD. I bought a set of ICONS adjust them for 0" lift( except for the famous left side lean) and never looked back. In the 09 I installed the one with reservoir ($1080 deal on this site) and I have no idea why (could be the sway bar difference -sport to off road) but the ride is better then on the 05.. I test the truck 20 min before I did the installation and 20 min after I installed the new one on the same road and I am firm convinced that this is the first and best investment some one could (and/or should) do on his truck. Now I feel the bumps but I don't drop my coffee and I definitely can keep up the pace in all most any curb. It is not a Cadillac or a BMW now but definitely a nice ACURA. 5 years ago I was as confused as you are. Spent hours in this forum and still no answer. What ever you buy ????? make sure that you can adjust them to fit your demands. Don't try to save $500 now and regret 5 years from now on. I hope my answer did not confuse you more and good luck with your choice.

 

Thanks for the info. Since I posted thid thread, I have been pouring through web pages sucking up info. And what you say about C/O's set a 0" except for the drivers side seems spot on to what I have read. Now, it just is a choice of adding OME shocks front/rear onstock coils or get the C/O's. Never know what the future holds ya' know? I actually like both ideas. OME shocks could be bought today, np. C/O's will take a few weeks to save up for. So it is a tough choice.

Your answer was really exactly what I was looking for. Someone in the same spot as me. Perhaps you and I were the only two who crossed this path. I am like you and do not like to buy twice. Thanks for the info!
And thanks to the guy who rec'd the OME. Very tough choice I have here. Thanks again!

 

You're welcome! The OMEs are great and the coilovers are great as well! All boils down to how much you want to spend really.


Kind regards,
Ryan

 

Now ,,, I don't think that you compare apple with apple here. OME is an Australian Company and makes one of the toughest equipment in the world (and tested around entire World). Icons is an American Company and build and test most (if not all) here in the State (mostly desert racing). They are both excellent company's but the products are little bit different from each other. #1- OME is a straight forward 2.5" lift and you stuck with it.
#2-Icons will give the same thing but with option to adjust it to suit your taste.

Now, you are telling us that you want to mix some of the shocks made by Ome with the stock springs????

You have to know that when they designed these shocks they took in consideration that the shocks will be used with theirs specific springs. I am not saying that will not work but I am saying that you will spend some good bucks and there is nothing that you can do if you don't like your decision latter. Ome socks are all most 50% bigger then stock with separated Nitrogen (excellent for staying cool) and a lot more linear (and/or) progressive in the way they control the wheel. Definitely an improvement over the stock but you will be still missing.

#3- when your truck hits a bump???-- the bump is been absorbed (mostly)by the spring and little bit less by the shock. The shock is there mostly to control the movement of the wheel ( up and down) after.
-with your choice of -stock spring and Ome shocks you will have much better control of the wheel but still a sh''''ty ride with the stock springs. Most of the company's spend a certain amount of time,money when they design the suspension and I believe that Toyota spent all most nothing. This truck have all most the same shock and spring as my 2000 Trd off road. What i am trying to tell you ,, is that if money is a factor (and God knows it is a factor in all most every house)????? Then may be you should wait couple more months-maybe some overtime will pop up or win LOTTO ha,ha but do not decide to compromise and live for the next 5-6 years regretting your decision. Sacrifice another 3-4 months and you will enjoy the next 5-6 years.

Again,,, this is what I did. You are the only one that knows what is best for you

More confused now???. Sorry and good luck.