Need some advice: Are my coils too stiff?

The problem: overall ride quality is not bad. But I do feel like I feel too much of the road, bumps, etc. The real trouble is when I go over a speed bump or come off of a curb there is a lot of cab movement. If I go over evenly with both tires it’s not as bad, the cab bounces a few times. If I go over unevenly it’s terrible, the cab swings from side to side in a way i’ve never experienced with other vehicles.

My setup: 2009 4cyl Prerunner, mostly stock. I recently replaced the old shocks with new 3rd gen OR takeoffs. This helped some by softening the movement, but it still moves uncomfortably. The current springs came out of Monroe quick struts, and I was told by a Monroe technician that they are 650lb springs. I also have the TSB leafs.

Future plans: I have 3rd gen OR coils that I was about to put on, to match the shocks. But now i’m afraid that putting heavier springs on will only make the movement worse.

Is the cab movement happening because the springs are too loose and the cab is able to move around too much? Or is it that the current springs are too stiff and the cab moves with the frame too much? I don’t have the experience to know for myself.

 

Im betting that your coils are way too stiff for your setup. Also, Monroe isnt typically known for making the best stuff. The Prerunner has less weight in the front and it looks like youre not running a bumper/winch up front which is adding to the problem. I switched from stock coils to 590lb old man emu's and theyre on the stiff side and that's with a bumper up front.

I think you need to switch to factory coils (540lb for the 4x4, not sure about pre-runner). Some bilstein 5100 shocks will help the ride quality a bunch as well.

Check the for-sale section if interested. I have some for sale on there as well, but youre pretty far away.

 

How much would adding a bumper help? I’ve been looking at a steel hybrid bumper that can hold a winch, but i’m afraid i’ll spend the money and end up hating the setup even more.

 

Its hard to say how much of a difference, but it will definitely improve things, but I think you'll still be slightly oversprung being the 4cyl and Prerunner. I wonder what the spring rate is on those 3rd gen OR springs.. They might be just what you need. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

 

I’ve seen it in a few places that they are 717lb, but progressive. I was hoping that being progressive would work to my advantage but it might not be enough.

 

I have 3rd gen TRD Sport suspension, shocks and coils. Ride is pretty much the same as stock 2nd gen Sport as far as I can tell. 3rd gen TRD Off-Road Bilsteins should be softer and more forgiving. I think the key is to have the whole setup. 3rd gen coils and shocks.

 

I see you have a DC 4x4 though, is it also v6 (did the 6MT come on all Sports or just v6?)? I’m much lighter up front but a bumper should help and I have some projects that will add some weight (level out the access cab area and add drawers underneath).

This is what I was hoping for, and why I went ahead and grabbed some 3rd gen OR coils. I even found some broken in already (18k). @Doogz makes a good point too that the Monroe springs aren’t very good anyway. I’m looking at swapping the coils this weekend so i’ll see how it changes.

 

Yes, it is a V6. We never got I4 DC Tacomas up here in Canada. 6MT was avalable in all V6 trims, AC and DC apart from DCLB, but is fairly rare in DC config.

 

I put the matching coils on today so i’m riding on a matching set of 3rd gen TRDOR shocks/coils. It seems to me the Monroe coils were just shitty, it’s a much smoother and controlled ride now.

I may have gained more than an inch in the front but I forgot to measure before I started. Even with less weight in the front the ride is still nice and smooth.

 

Great to hear!!