Do I need new shocks or do they ride this rough?

I'll spare you my sob story, coming from a current gen F-150 to a 2006 Tacoma 4.0.

The steering will has a small shimmy in it on the interstate (this doesn't send the truck into a swerve or anything). Also, I feel every bump. Not a ton of rattle or anything, just roads feel rough.

TIA

Mac

 

Yeah these ride way rougher than a full size. A lot of it has to do with the plastic box. There's no weight over the rear end. I find keeping about 200-300lbs in the box at all times helps massively.

 

After having two 4x4 Dakota trucks (with Leer caps) and then getting a Tacoma (with a Leer cap) even my wife noticed how rough it drove compared to the my old Dakota trucks. And then there was the road noise. So my very first mod was gutting the cab, removing the door panels and headliner to install a two part sound deadening system. Big improvement for the road noise. As for the rough ride, I guess I'm getting use to it.

A guy few houses down bought a new 4x4 DC Tacoma a few years ago. He had it for a week then one day he came home with a Honda Ridgeline. Still has the Honda.

 

Welcome to TW!

I agree with the above -- we bought our 2005 Tacoma new, and yes, you feel every bump and you hear tire noise, road noise, wind noise.....

In spite of that, we still own it. It's been as solid & reliable as a brick. And my wife loves it..... so there ya go.

 

Prerunner 2wd.
If original shocks then yes they are probably junk so you need to determine when they were put on if you can.
Check your tire balance (look at tread wear pattern) and also check the front wheel bearings for play.

 

Check your tire pressure, that affects the ride a lot.

 

Coming from a Ram Hemi to a Tacoma was an eye opener. Much noisier and rougher ride but I’m used to it now and wouldn’t dream of going back. That said, OP check your tires for balance.

 

I guess I'm used to the ride. I think it's fine given it's a truck, especially on the highway. My 2007 Tacoma rides better than my older Chevy Silverado with the Z71 suspension.

 

They’re no different than any other truck I’ve driven, I feel people try to make them sound rough like it alludes to off road prowess or something

just change the shocks and springs to something softer, be prepared to deal with bounce

stock is fine, bilsteins are great

 

Unfortunately, this is normal. They definitely do not ride plush like a full size truck. Tire type and pressure can help smooth it out a little. As noted by another member, if you add some weight in the bed, it can help smooth out the ride a little. They are leaf packs out there that can help for a smoother ride as well, but it lessens your payload and not advisable for towing.

 

I own a 2014 Ford crew cab 4X4 and my 2007 4X4 crew cab Tacoma. The Ford does ride a little better, but if you're shocks are in good shape the difference isn't that great. I replaced my Tacoma's shocks at 125,000, the difference was amazing. Shocks go bad so slowly you don't notice the difference until you replace them. I'm at 240,000 now and I can tell that I'm getting close to needing new ones again. Chances are good the 2006 needs them too even if it is low miles. Sometimes age is as important as miles.

 

The ideal alignment geometry on these trucks is supposed to be unique, so that could explain your shimmy. Something about it makes me notice tire flat spotting more than on any other vehicle I've driven.

 

I picked up my '06 AC TRD OR with 120K on it and said when I test drove it, "The front end needs to be rebuilt." At that time I assumed that all 120K Tacomas needed front end work. It took me to 140K to replace ALL wear parts and shocks, I mean everything rubber, bearing, bushing part that moved, rotated, spun, including tires. Well, not surprising it drove like a new truck.

I figured that half A$$ing it was a waste of time as I needed a dependable good driving/feeling work truck. To me it was time and $$ well spent.

 

Your rough ride is likely not due to the shocks. But they also likely need replacement. How old are they ? How many miles on them? If you don’t know the answer then just replace them, they are probably wore out. Generally shocks are good for between 50,000 to 100,000 miles. You should consider them as regular maintenance and replace them at no more than 100,000 miles. Most do not know how to determine if the shocks are shot or not. One person on here thought if they aren’t leaking then they are fine. Wrong. Although if they are leaking they are bad. Original shocks which are cheap crap shocks should be replaced at 50,000 or so. Yours may be original. For no other reason than your safety sake you should replace them.

 

I put 5 concrete flagstones at the back (tied down) to calm the rear a bit. More would be better. I saw a YT review to put those heavy Horse Mats but I cannot find one in stock at Tractor Supply.

 

Even if tied down, I would be very worried about those becoming airborne projectiles in a crash. A big ol bag of sand of the same weight would probably cause less damage.

 

Yeah I know. I do have a fiberglass top but it may not be enough to contain the blocks.(18lb each)

 

Do you have steel wheels?

 

I recently moved up from a 2006 Frontier (shocks struts replaced at 130K, sold at 175K) for a 2013 Tacoma DC shortbed with cap. The Tacoma is worlds smoother than the Nissan.

 

I put one of those heavy aftermarket bumpers on the rear and just that little extra weight made a difference at the rear.