AccuTune Suspension Tech: Tacoma Shock Size

It can be difficult to decide what size shocks and coilovers are necessary for you Tacoma so we put together an article to help you understand what's going on, and choose the size that's right for you.

We answered common questions, such as:
Why do front coilovers usually need to be 2.5's, are 2.0's sufficient in the rear?
Do you need a remote reservoir?
Do you need 2.5 rear shocks?
When are stock rear mounts enough, and when should you relocate?
Do you need an Upper Control Arm?
What lift height rear shocks should I get?

Article: What size Tacoma shocks are right for you.

 

Great stuff!!! So I got my 2.5” dsc’s front and rear somewhere else. Would you still custom tune them ?

 

Yes, we will still custom tune them. Shoot me a message and we can put together an estimate. Thanks!!

 

very informative video.

 

Hey Ryan I need some help with my Tacoma. I just installed fox 2.5 dcs front and tundra rear 2.5 dcs. The front seems ok, maybe a little stiff on compression. The rear feels like it has way too much rebound when hitting bumps. Traction light goes off because tires aren’t drooping out fast enough. Is this how most fox’s come for Tacoma’s when they aren’t special ordered?

I have a slimline bumper and winch to install on the front end. Would you recommend a spring swap, high pound # and longer spring?

On the rear I’m running factory springs and firestone air bags. I hate this set up. I have a snug top shell and constant additional total weight of about 450 to 500 pounds daily, shell included. I need springs. I was thinking about using Fernando at atlas for 3 inch lift expo springs.

What would you recommend?

Thanks, PB

 

Hi PB,

The air bags are probably your biggest issue right now. If they're attached at both sides they won't allow the axle to droop.

The shocks do come valved very poorly, even for a Tundra.

Surprised to hear you think the front is too stiff on compression, I've had the opposite experience. They will slowly oscillate up and down on the freeway, and bottom out easily off-road.

Changing out springs really depends on how much lift you want. If your winch and bumper aren't heavy I'd be tempted to go to a longer spring instead of just a stiffer spring.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Whoa watch out the preload = bad brigade will come around the corner.

 

They do oscillate on the freeway. I feel they are stiff on the start of the compression stroke, stiff to start the cycle. I ran the bags with the lower unbolted for 30000 miles, until I finally slipped a bag off the mount now there bolted.

What is your average turn around time, this truck is my daily driver work truck weekend fun rig.

 

Hmm, some of that initial feeling might just be what it is. There's friction from shocks, sway bar, suspension bushings.... plus stiffness from the tires.
Some of that is best handled through tires (pressure & weight rating), or tolerated.

Standard turn around is one week, but we can do faster if necessary.

Shoot us an email to coordinate. Sales@[websiteURL]

 

@*TRD* do you revalve Icons?
Do you offer a TW promo code for new purchases and/or price match? Thanks.

 

We offer rebuild services on ICON, but not re-valve.

For TW members we offer free consultation, free AccuTune Equations, free re-valve, and free shipping. We'll make sure you're getting products that work together and work towards your goals. We'll tune the shocks to deliver superior comfort and performance for your mods, and your use. Most shocks are in stock, re-valved by hand, and shipped within 24 hours. No promo code required!

 

Cool. Just sent an email to sales@ (subject: Advice and Questions). Hopefully you or one of your staff can call me tomorrow to take an order.

 

This was really informative, thanks so much for putting that together!

I've been doing a lot of research myself for eventually upgrading my suspension and I had been under the impression that the 2.0 Fox shocks in the front would be adequate for my use scenario, especially given the aluminum shock body and its increased heat dissipation vs steel. I have a mostly stock 3rd gen that is 2WD with the 4 cylinder. Skids but no plate bumpers, so only a modest weight gain over stock, which is already a few hundred lighter than the average 4WD V6, so basically call it a wash.

Your article is making me think I might be pushing 2.0 foxes just a hair, although most of my off-road duty is access trails where it is imprudent to get up much of a head of steam simply because of the other trail users.

Obviously it's tough to put straight up numbers to a given truck, given speed, and given terrain, but what I'm really looking for is a ballpark of what high speed or heavy use entails because to some people "high speed" offroad is about 40, to others "high speed" is bombing along at 80. Still others think high speed is cresting 20-25 on a severely wash-boarded road.

Oh, and it's also a pretty big price jump there... $450 for the 2.0 foxes up front vs starting at $1300 and going up from there for a 2.5 Fox!

 

Excellent points, and this is why we do a phone consultation, where we dive more deeply into exactly how you'll use it, and so we can make the ideal trade offs on comfort and bottoming out.

On a typical desert road with speeds varying from 20 mph in rough terrain, to 60 mph on smooth terrain, Remote Reservoir 2.0 rear shocks last about 45 minutes before fading out. The front

$1,023 2.0 IFP Fox 2.0 Performance Coil-Over Front Pair compatible with 2005-2016 Toyota Tacoma

2.0 IFP shocks have less oil and a lot more damping.

If you're substantially under that use case then a 2.0 IFP front will hold up, if you're remotely close to that use case then you'll want a 2.5 front. It's also worth noting the 2.0 IFP shocks aren't extended travel.

 

It's a shame there's no good way to rig some remote resis onto the front 2.0s.

Good point on the extended travel, but if my understanding of Foxes product offerings is correct the 2.5's are only .3" longer in the travel department. 4.6" vs 4.9" ... I know because of motion ratios that's not total wheel travel numbers or total travel gains- this isn't my first rodeo but I'm used to doing this on Miatas, not trucks...
I'm also on the fence between keeping a sway bar or going barless, which would factor in to how much travel I can practically take advantage of, and what front spring rates I should be aiming for.

Anyways given the fact that I have an SR currently equipped with TRDOR Bilstein take-offs, I would say I keep well under those numbers. 30-40 is about the max I hit on smooth terrain, and I slow way down for the rough stuff, so ~15 or under. I'd like to go a little faster but any higher and I feel like I'm really beating the snot out of it, outside safe parameters.

Food for thought, at the very least. Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it and I will definitely keep you guys in mind because I know the value of a good custom valve job.

Also now I'm seeing that the 2.0s are individually sold whereas the 2.5's are pairs, so my theoretical price difference was way off the mark.

 

Just felt like popping back in here, I was curious enough to do some digging on the actual weight difference between my 4 cylinder prerunner SR and the more common 4x4 TRD Off-Roads...

445 pounds lighter stock for stock!

I haven't even come close to eating that up with armor, as the most appreciable piece is an aluminum front skid weighing in at 25. So I'm back to thinking the Fox 2.0's might be adequate & have an easier time of it, as that's still easily a good 400 pound delta and it's probably mostly over the front axle.

(As an aside I swapped out for someone getting rid of their stock TRDOR's blue and yellow Bilstiens and ended up with over an inch of lift with a stock coil. That weight differential would certainly explain it...)

 

I have a DCLB TRD Off Road:
Anyone replace stock TRD Off Road with TRD Pro take-off? I am looking at Billy 6112/5160 and Fox 2.5 w/ DSC. I realize these are very different systems. I haven't ridden on any of them. The weight in the back of my truck changes regularly. I have a Go Fast Camper and will be adding a drawer system so figure 375-400lbs constant. The other weight changes if I have photo gear, light stands, etc... and camping equipment. I am adding on CBI sliders, Martin Half-Cab Rack and possibly a rack on top of the GFC to carry Jerry can of fuel and 10lb propane tank.
Current suspension is to squishy, rear bottoms out over speedbumps w/out any additional weight. Adding a couple hundred pounds and it rides much better. 98% drive is on road to get to the location. Accutune advertises an Adventure tuned Fox for this purpose but I don't know if this is legit and it is different than purchasing off the shelf from another Fox dealer?
I am not looking to lift specifically, just get a better ride/handling. I am not putting bigger tires on as of yet.

 

Plenty of people have upgraded to TRD Pro shocks, search some threads on here to get some feedback. Yes, we do in fact tune shocks specifically for each customers needs, this is not generic valving that you will find in a shock off the shelf from any retailer. If you are looking for the best ride then some tuned Fox shocks will be your perfect option.

 

@AccuTune Offroad Do you offer installation as well? What about the needle bearing issue on the drivers side front cv shaft, should this be addressed at the same time?

 

Super old thread bump.

We're not currently scheduling installs, but if you are in the area we have some great shops we can refer you to. Needle bearing issue on the front end is not something we have needed to mess with. Shoot is a pm if you would like to get a quote or install referral