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CrippledOldMan , just joined the forum, looking for a wealth of knowledge and information for my 1st gen 2003 Tacoma TRD Crew Cab. I purchased it used maybe 2010-2011 with 80k miles on it. Silver, Limited Edition auto transmission. I previously owned a 2007 Mini Cooper S, that was gifted to me by my 80 year old Dad. But, I've always been a truck guy, so I traded the mini in for the Tacoma. Everyone said I was crazy, but at the time, I couldn't throw a dead deer into the hatchback, or a 5 gallon bucket of fish. Yes, I loved the performance and speed of the car, but the Tacoma in my personal opinion is Worlds above, and so much more dependable. I used to own a 1980 R22 regular cab, that I really enjoyed. That engine was just about indestructible.

So, I'm hoping to find some ideas on upgrading the suspension, without going nuts. It currently has some Rancho components, but I don't know how long they've been on the Truck.So maybe someone can tell me how to test my suspension to see if it really need replacing. I drive some logging roads, and National forest trails from time to time. but I want to improve the ride quality, and if needed the off road capabilities for a SHTF scenario.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the TW

 

Welcome

 

Welcome David, I'm sure you can find others on this forum who would be willing to help you. If it's not too much to ask, where are you from? You may be able to find TW people you can trail with.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW...Throw a post in the 1st Gen section,you’ll probably get more responses there.

 

Welcome. 1st gen, best gen.

 

He’ll yeah!!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Tacorific, I'm currently living in Salisbury N.C. But I was raised as a Gypsy. My dad was in the Oil industry for almost 50 years. I was raised in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. And I've also lived in Colorado, and Georgia. My two girls don't know how lucky they are to have lived most of their lives in one state. I'll put a post in the 1st gen section. From what I've been reading Bilstein 5100's all the way around and new leaf springs should do wonders for how my Taco rides. I also have seen that you can spend a small fortune upgrading these trucks until you spend more than what it's worth. I'm to old to go that route. I just want to upgrade my suspension better than it currently is. Oh, and by the way, I really am A Crippled Old Man

 

I hear what you are saying, about growing up in one place David. I lived in the same city for most of my formative years, Dad worked for the same company for almost 30 years. (No matter what people tell you, Iowa is a good place to be from.) In my teenage years, I lived in S.E. Louisiana for a couple of summers, back in the early to mid '70's, working on my uncle's farm.

I can't justify spending too much more money on my truck, it's doing everything I have asked it to do, so far. I'm not an off roader, don't need a six inch lift. I'm retired, so I hunt, fish, and go to the grocery store, that's about it. Anyway, Welcome to the club, and enjoy the journey.

 

Welcome to TW

 

Thanks for the reply John:
just out of curiosity, did you by any chance live in or around Lafayette. I spent about 5 years living there,(79-81),(83-84) and it's where I bought my first Taco, although it might have just been called a pickup truck back then. 1980 regular cab,4 speed 4x4 22R enginge. It didn't go very fast, but it went anywhere I wanted it to go. I spent about 9 months in Colorado with that little truck camping all over the Rocky Mountains with it.

 

Lafayette!! My first truck (a 50 Chevy 3600) had a Ragin Cajun bumper sticker on it!

Didn't live too close, well, New Roads, over in Point Coupee Parish. My last summer down there was 76. I have plenty of cousins down there. My Dad was from New Roads, and my Mom was from NO.

 

John:
Louisiana=dam hot summers, beautiful women, more excuses to party than anywhere on this planet. And let's not forget the Food. Later this spring, I'm going to check on having some crawfish shipped up here to N.C., I really need me some mudbugs. I also lived in NO in 1973. Moved there right after the big shoot out at the Howard Johnson downtown. Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, But Lafayette, New Iberia, and too many other small town dance halls, was the places to be when I lived there.