Truck drives like an old Buick, 2004 Tacoma 2wd

So I just bought my old man's 2004 Tacoma, its a 2wd/5 speed/reg cab/short box/2.4 4 cylinder/no options. He bought a new 2016(its really nice!!!). Its extra clean, always garaged, does have 171k miles. Heck of a lot nicer than my junker 1993 Toyota 2wd, despite that truck having almost the same miles on it(177k).

Anyways, I am just not happy with the way the new 2004 truck handles. All the suspension stuff is 100% stock, I'm thinking the shocks might be worn. It kind of floats/bobs up and down on irregular pavement, if you hit a hole or bump, you feel it more as being seasick than the actual bump shocking all the way through the truck. You really notice this when the speeds get past 50mph.

My old 1993 is 100% stock and IMO handles and rides a lot better(despite the extra slop in the steering). Maybe its that its smaller, weighs less, and you sit way lower to the ground. It doesn't roll in the corners as bad. It rides pretty smooth, where as on the same pavement the 2004 would be kind of busy bobbing up/down and floating all over the place, especially the faster you drive. Granted if you hit a big bump or hole, the 1993 definitely lets you feel the shock a lot more vs the 2004.


Anyways, getting back on topic, I don't want to "stance" my new truck. I just want to improve the handling and maybe lower it a bit. Mods I'm thinking about:

1. New shocks- need some recommendations here.
2. X-Runner springs. I'm assuming these will lower it a bit and help the handling. Other spring options/opinions welcome.
3. Different/larger sway bars- Once again open to suggestions here. Did the X-Runners use bigger/different sway bars.

Looking to keep the stock 15" wheels/tires for now, as the tires still have over half the tread on them and frankly they actually look pretty good for stock wheels.

 

Regular cab short box? Anyways welcome to TW. I also don't really know what to recommend for shocks and springs, usually people want to lift their truck not lower it. I'm interested in to what people have to recommend. Got pics of the truck?

 

Guess I'm used to the full size pickup lingo. Short box is 6.5 feet, long box 8 feet. I guess my reg cab truck has the "long box" option, since the 4 door tacomas have the "short box" and Toyota never offered a really long bed on this generation Tacoma(I know some of the old 80's and 90's pickups could be had with a long box/extra wheelbase, or even no bed with dual rear wheels)


Maybe I can post some pics up tomorrow. And I agree, most people want to jack these trucks up, but its 2wd, so what is the point, just going to get stuck if I do go off road. I mean honestly if its raining and I let the clutch out even slightly fast its spin city.