5100 vs 4600, General Stock vs HD, for ride quality?

I've dug through so many chat rooms but very few talk first gens and all of them end in a side quest or someone talking about another company. Sooo heres to hopefully finding some clarity. My 02 Reg Cab came with some brand new aftermarket coilovers (no name brand) with a 1" spacer, adjustable control arms, and KYB Excel-G rear shocks. It's drives like garbage in the city/highway at high speeds. Bouncing all over the highway, my ass feels the highway bumps. So I bought some 4600 for the rear and it's okay but Im not getting that happy ride I've experienced in other first gen Tacomas. Definitely need to get rid of the 1" spacer but I'm thinking maybe I also do a spring swap now. Keep in mind I am not towing, hauling, or intentionally lifting this truck for bigger tires. I make furniture, and so my hauling requirements are low. A fiber glass bed cover, a sheet of plywood to as a bed floor and maybe a desk sized piece to be delivered. If you had a stock height Reg Cab Tacoma and wanted a simple smooth ride for bumpy highways and local roads. Would you do 5100's with Heavy Duty Springs or shoot for 4600's and General stock springs? Save me from this confusing ride quality dilemma.

 

Keep the 4600s. Remove the spacer causing preload and of course if your leafs are this old, replace. You could go the HD version of the leafs but you want the best ride then mabye standard leafs and progressive bump stops or air bags and adjust the load to your liking

 

Short and sweet. Thank you!

 

Yup the leaf springs will do the most for you, you may need to replace the shackles and main eye bolts pending if you can get them out, and of course new Ubolts

 

Sumosprings I was told is the top pick for progressive bump stops. Sadly I don't see any on the website for my 02. Anyone know of another brand? Or maybe a mod to the sumo springs

 

I had Excel G's that were new and replaced them with 4600's, to match my front 4600's.

It didn't make a massive difference like new springs, but it was noticeable.

 

I have no idea what your ride is like I have the general springs heavy duty and super springs Cheap Monroe Sensatrac shocks.

The unloaded ride is fine by me.

If your south of I287 all bets are off those roads are far worse .

 

I had the same issue where my bump stops rusted off, I had these 3rd Gen sumos laying around and threw em on, work fine

 

Ended up putting air bags on to test it out, definitely rides rough when I touch both tires into a dip in the road but great when it's uneven (12psi). About 300lbs in the back with the camping setup. The cradle preloaded it so I may remove for better travel on the shocks and see if it rides a little softer over the dips. My lower back is feeling it. Not sure if new leaf springs will help at this point, as the air bags will always keep the frame and axle connected, but curious on others thoughts. Trying to soften the ride ultimately