Suspension discussion (distraction) for a new Tacoma owner

I looked around in the forums, saw some really old posts, didn't see a dedicated suspension section, so figured I would try to redirect some of this lawnmower vs EV talk with something that we can all lean back and pontificate on....

I loved my 91 F150 Lariat with its 8 foot bed and unruly steering. I loved my 91 Z71 that I had to let go way too soon. But I never had to deal with suspension challenges/choices or as much gravel/washboard/pothole roads as I do now.

pretty simple question as I see it, but want to hear the banter and perspectives here: Do I test drive and decide between an SR5 and an OR, and if I go SR5 put about 2-3 grand into upgraded suspension work if the stocker suspension can't manage to deal with the roads around here...

or do I get the OffRoad with all that packaged and prepped and just not use all the extra bells and whistles but have it there just in case as I'm guessing Bilsteins are pretty good at handling what I've got.

Use case will be a daily driver running washboard roads and local/state highways as far as suspension goes. Everything I've read has steered me away from even considering the Sport... so it comes down to the initial investment question... what are your thoughts TacomaWorld?

 

You are asking detailed questions about vehicles most of us have only seen on the Internet and only a handful of people on this forum have actually driven.

 

I assume you are considering the 4th Gen as you are in this forum. None of us know how any of these trims ride. So, anyone offering recommendations now is blowing smoke. You can wait for actual reports or inhale any smoke you wish. Best wishes.

 

I'd say when they are at the dealership test drive both. No one here has them to give an opinion.

 

Going to be hard pressed to find a dealer doing test drives unless they have a demo unit. Most if not all will be presold and only an asshole dealer would be doing test drives in presold/contracted trucks.

 

but looking for an overall Tacoma EXPERIENCE from all the generations.... I want to absorb what you all know about the previous generations and how they dealt with things. and hear your opinions.

 

The ultimate generalization is that off-road calibrated coilover suspensions with external reservoirs tend to give a floaty ride with more body roll.

 

so you're saying they'll ride like my F-150 with the shocks that failed 50,000 miles ago?

 

Don’t make a decision on which trim to buy based on what shocks come on that trim. It boggles my mind how many people on here do that.

Shocks are a relatively cheap consumable part and aside from the PRO and Trailhunter all the other trims have garbage shocks.

 

that's kinda how I've been looking at it... leaning SR5 since I don't need all the crazy off road crawlin gear and then find a suspension nerd in a garage to walk me through what I need to throw on there... but the price point may work out the same, and IF I decide I'm selling it, those neat gizmo's will pump up those resale numbers...

 

Thanks for starting a discussion, tired of every thread on here turning into a diesel fellatio festival. Sounds like all the double cab models will get the new rear coil spring setup. This will be a massive improvement in ride quality on marginal roads compared to the leaf springs on the current gens.

Toyota will most likely follow the same basic formula when it comes to shock tuning for the different grades on the next gen. The trd will be softer offering better compliance off-road. Sport will be stiff for reduced body roll on road, and the sr5 will be somewhere in between. It’s good to note though that the trd off-road grade is getting better shocks this generation. Bilsteins with added remote reservoirs on the rears. This will be an improvement, reduced shock fade and better dampening ability on washboard roads.

At the end of the day your best option will be buying an sr5 and putting $$$ into new shocks. When choosing suspension there are always trade off’s. Shocks that offer better dampening under large inputs may have worse small bump compliance and vice versa. There are vendors that can custom tune the shocks depending on load capacity and personal preference. If you want an a good off the shelf option you could go with the bilstein 6112 lineup, or pony up the big bucks for their more serious 8112 lineup, that’s what I’m running and they are phenomenal. I’m sure they will come to market along with other options after 4th gen is released. And keep in mind this is speculation at this point for the sake of discussion.

 

I'm thinking along similar lines... and really enjoyed how this guy reviewed/compared some of the shocks, how they are built, why they built them that way, and explained a lot of the science around them... and he likes the 6112 for faster offroad stuff.

Truth About Ironman Foam Cell Pro | In-depth Technical Review & Comparison - YouTube

 

Everyone’s butt dyno and driving style is different. Go test drive a few Tundras in various trims, it will give you a feel how the new Tacoma will ride. Might not want a Tacoma after that though. Ha!

 

I ran the 6112 and 5160 in the rears before I upgraded to 8112 and 8100. The 6112 definitely come alive at higher speeds. The flip side is with the digressive valving if you are driving under 25 mph on washboard roads they are a little harsh. That digressive valving though makes them handle great on the highway. Body roll and break dive were heavily reduced. Great quality as well, I put over 100,000 hard miles on them before I replaced them. For the price I think they are hard to beat.

 

this is the kinda information I was looking for... everybody's perspectives based upon their own personal butt dyno!

 

For the 3rd gen… I had an SR5 and didn’t mind the stick suspension. I drove it a couple of years and commuted to work with it. All in all, great truck and felt great. I graduated and then decided to bump myself up to a TRD off-road, just because. I liked the new tech features and the look better, but I quickly realized I hated the off-road stock suspension. The brake dive was insane and the body roll was driving me crazy. I quickly replaced it with aftermarket coil overs and was much happier. I think my suspension is now better than the stock on either truck, but for stock suspension, the SR5s hitachi shocks, were better than the bilstiens. Just my opinion, and it’s probably not a popular one but I don’t care

 

Any clue on the suspension heights of the stock Off Road, Sport and SR5? I know the OR Pro so sans that model.

The Pre Runner seems to have a more level front end.

 

Did you look at the new specs .PDF ???

see PRODUCT SPECS at

https://pressroom.toyota.com/vehicle/2024-toyota-tacoma/