Feels like I have no suspension

Hello, Since I purchased my Tacoma, it's felt like there is almost no suspension movement on the truck and I'm wondering what the issue could be? If I jump on the back there is no movement from the rear suspension, and it feels super rough around town. The ride on the highway isn't bad as long as the road is fairly smooth.

I'm planning to overhaul everything with Bilstein 5100s and new coils/ leafs sometime this coming year, but I'm trying to figure out what the main source of the problem is so that I could make a short term improvement.

The front looks to be stock height, and the back may have a small lift. but I'm not really sure.

 

Can you post some pictures of your shocks and springs? We might be able to identify what you are currently running.

 

I fully expect that it would ride poorly given the age of the suspension, I'm just not expecting for it to feel as if there is no suspension present.

I'll crawl under it tomorrow and snap a couple pictures. I plan to overhaul everything, but I'd like to see if I can make it ride more tolerably while I save up for that project.

 

These little trucks, ride rough, but still, when you are jumping in the bed, it's supposed to bounce up and down, so if it doesn't bounce, something is going on with your shocks or leaf springs

sounds like your springs or shocks are too stiff because bad shocks would still bounce but feel like no supension (no damping) or waaay too bouncy/loose

 

It has hydraulics with hidden bouncy buttons

 

I'm used to a rough ride, I still have a '96 S10 with the z85 package for added payload. Upon looking more throughly, the rear compresses the shocks about a half inch or so and just stops. I can't really tell if the front is also stiff, or if it's all the rear causing me trouble. I'm going to pull the shocks out tomorrow and see if it gets really bouncy around town or stays about the same.

Here's a couple pictures of the springs and shocks in case that helps figure out what my current setup is.

 

I'd suspect shocks are frozen stuck, or rust on the shafts from sitting for a long period of time. Look at the suspension pivot points, everything that should be able to move should be able to move and isn't stuck in position. The serviceable parts with grease zerks should be greased, the ones without zerks may need replacing if they don't pivot like they should. Shocks is a good place to start looking.

 

Sounds like some bushings are seized up somewhere to me. Front leaf spring mount, upper or lower shackle bolt, and/or shock mounts could be the issue. Even old suspension should be pretty soft, especially on these little tacos. It might be a crappy right with little to no damping or load control but should be soft none the less. If this is in fact the issue, the best idea for a temporary fix would be to grease all of them up either manually or with a zerk if applicable. Your lower front shock bushing looks toast. Looks about like mine did after 165k miles on it

 

There are many shocks recommended here that you will like. When I see people on other forums buy that brand of shock, they usually get rid of the car within 2 years.

Not that I get into horror shows, but check out this video.

https://youtu.be/tFQma475h2E

 

Took the shocks out and pushed on the truck everything moves fine, upon driving around the block, it's now super bouncy like I'd expect. I'm just going to grab some cheap Monroe shocks for now until I'm ready to lift it.

 

You could try to look through the want to sell forum, and post in want to buy. Someone may have something laying in their garage and willing to sell cheap.

 

New leafs and coils, new shocks all around.

You're also supposed to have bumpstops in the rear...

 

I'm not quite ready to do the whole swap yet, but when I do I'm replacing everything. I will definitely look around on here as well when the time comes.

 

Get quality shocks and struts. Not cheapie-cheapo chinese junk

Better spend more bucks on better quality parts than having to buy twice because of crappy parts

 

I absolutely agree. I'm probably a good 6-8 months away from doing everything to the suspension so I didn't mind spending $50 on a set of fairly cheap rear shocks now so that I can focus on making the new truck mechanically solid then I'll be redoing the entire suspension with quality springs, 5100 shocks, and new bushings for the control arms