2nd Gen suspension questions

I have a 2014 DCLB Limited with about 115k on it. I have a 2" spacer in front to level it. When I had tires mounted a while back the tech noticed the rear dampers are leaking. I'd like to swap all four corners for new but don't know if I should go exact OE, find takeoffs which are common, or upgrade to aftermarket. I'm wondering if the Limited model has specific shocks/struts or are they same as the base. I know they're not the yellow units found on TRD's. I ask because I actually like how the Limited rides (99.5% on road) and don't want to lose this nice ride. I assume most aftermarket suspension would create a stiffer ride because aftermarket is geared toward off road, right? There's also a Craigslist ad for 3rd gen Limited suspension (new takeoff with 10 miles swapped for a lift at the dealer) for cheap. Would these work?

TLDNR: looking for suspension options for my Limited but don't want to screw up the ride.

pics for clicks

 

To the best of my knowledge, the limited only has the SR5 springs and Shocks.
It doesn’t have the TRD components. Shocks/Spring - (This might help you keep the “smooth” ride)

The 3rd gen would work. But you won’t get the 2” lift you have now.
They only lift about 1”.
And adding the 2” spacer to the 3rd gen, probably isn’t a wise choice at all.

I’d go with Bilstien 5100’s and keep your springs. (Because they aren’t as “stiff” as the TRD)
5100 are a pretty big improvement over stock. They are adjustable. I would set them at the setting closest to 2” to keep your same current height.

You might wait a bit and see what others have to say.
I’m quite sure there are better options. But that likely to come with a higher price.

 

Same truck here without the spacers .. watching …

 

I put 6112's paired with the Bilstein coil springs upfront this year and installed 5100's in the rear about 1.5 years ago with no complaints. Not having the front end dip under braking like the OEM is amazing.

When I did the 6112s I also replaced my LCA, cam bolts, inner/outer tie rods because they were all at 130k. I left the 6112 on the first clip which is about .75" taller than our OEM 4600 shocks, so it brought me close to level. Much more comfy drive on road and off especially on the torn up Connecticut roads.

The more lift that you desire, the stiffer of a ride you will have regardless of brand or cost. This is until you get to a progressive style shock $$$. You are preloading and compressing the coil spring in order to lift the truck.

 

I have 3rd gen Trd sport takeoffs and am very happy with it

 

I have the 6112's with Bilstein coils like tattoedsnake and I love them. I'm sure you could pick up a TRD set for cheap. They show up in the for sale section pretty often. I've got a set with 40K laying around you can have cheap if you're near me.

 

You are happy with truck. Buy take-offs. Someone/some shop is always pulling the units off. Might even score a deal from a Toyota shop to get like new take-offs if you get to know a tech or the service manager.

Suggest you post a picture of the units on your Limited and the SR5 and Sport folks can then tell you if those look the same as theirs.

 

5100 are great all around. Good on road, good off road. Not too stiff, not too soft.

 

My truck currently has 5100s with OME 885s and progressive AAL. It rides great and uses a longer spring for the lift.
6112s, 5100s on a higher setting or this setup should all ride way better than stock suspension with a 2” spacer.

 

the new take-offs I can get for cheap are:
Front; Hitachi Mexico 48510-04202 (black dampers and springs)
Rear; Hitachi Mexico 48530-04131 (black dampers)

You guys have provided a lot of good info and I appreciate it but I'm a total Taco noob and lots of the part numbers and nomenclature mean nothing to me.

 

No worries. Take a look under your truck. You should see part numbers and vendor markings on the existing units.

 

So no numbers or writing. Just colored markings.

 

The 3rd gen take-offs I'm considering are clearly marked.

 

All of the struts/shocks are interchangeable. So, if the price is good, happiness.

 

I installed Rancho GasAdjust shocks on the rear of two trucks owned in the past and I loved them. They are a gas-charged shock that had valving that would adjust firmness automatically to changing road conditions that really worked: and quickly. Normal street-firmness on highway or daily drives, progressively firmer on the Forest Service roads I used to frequent on fishing trips. They would adjust to washboard or "roller-coaster-road" conditions by varying the valving according to the suspension travel variations (especially the more extreme suspension-limit ups and downs) to give a firm ride, and then quickly adjust back to normal once back on the normal paved roads. They would eliminate hitting the bump-stops unless something really rediculous happened. You can climb the ladder as far as choices from street shock to off-road to ocassionly to "Baja": lots of choices.

I'm not sure if they are still the same quality as back then, but if you couldn't afford Bilstein's, (not me back then... lol) they were the next best thing.