REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

I'm planning on getting this done this weekend. Purchased 2023 OR front strut assemblies, 1" strut hat spacer, 2" rear blocks & U-bolts. Hoping to get an even 2.5-3ish of lift.


Here's how my truck sits currently. 2009 Dbl Cab OR 4x4 48k Miles

 

hi guys. Is there a way to specifically tell the difference between TRD OR shocks and TRD Sport shocks from a 3rd gen? I bought mine from an ad on Marketplace, and the dude worked at a shop and said they were off a TRD OR. But everyone these days calls everything TRD, and he kind of seemed like a turd himself, so I'm not sure i can trust it. Anyway, they're installed already, but if anyone has any insight that would be great.

 

Google some pics, they're completely different looking shocks. Part numbers are also printed on the shocks and you can google those to confirm.

 

All 3rd Gen (2016-2023) TRD Sport Tacoma's will have the all blue Hitachi front shocks. The TRD Off Road Tacoma's will have the blue and yellow Bilstein shocks.

TRD Sport shocks:


TRD Off Road shocks:

 

As promised. Completed the install over the weekend. Sorry, didn't take any measurements because I knew the height was gonna be perfect for me. No sway bar relocation and no diff drop, everything seems to have clearance . We'll see how things are after alignment this Friday. Keep in mind, I usually don't go this route for a lift but I really wanted to stay budget friendly with this one.

Parts List
"23 Off Road struts and shocks w/ about 2000 miles on them
KAX "2 top hat spacers

KAX 2" Leveling Lift Kit Fit for 2005-2023 Toy-ota Tacoma, Suspensions Strut Spacers Raise the Front 2"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092JCQZMD?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
2" non tapered blocks
U-bolts from Auto Zone



BEFORE


AFTER

 

My 2012 TRD Sport has 120,000 on it and the ride feels different. Thinking the shocks have seen better days looked on the usual places for take offs of a newer taco. Found a complete Bilstein shocks for $50 off of a 2023 taco with 10 miles on them minus the springs. All the hardware from the old set is a straight cross over to the new ones correct?

 

Hi guys! I just fitted a gen 3 TRD off-road suspension (coils, leafs and shocks) + a 2" leveling kit on my gen 2 TRD sport. Like everyone else I've noticed a better ride quality on and off-road, highly recommend it to everyone!

On that note, I got some new minor vibrations that were not there before the swap. Has anyone else got them? I suspect a leveling kit, I will take it off and do a test drive.

Thanks!

 

It may be the needle bearing acting up due to the raised height. I believe one way to check if it is, if it goes away once the trucks in 4w high. The ECGS kit gets rid of it:

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-8536125-toyota-8-clamshell-bushing-eliminates-needle-bearing.html

if i was purchasing one I’d also get the removal and install tool and buy a seal from Toyota.

 

I did nothing more than swap in third gen shocks/ springs on mine and it immediately caused the needle bearing to start misbehaving, vibrating and roaring.

 

I have a set of 3rd gen biilsteins and that vibration was my big fear because my truck runs smooth. Most members assured it was only an inch raised and not to worry. Unsure what to do

 

It goes away in 4H, I'll order kit and install tool.
Thanks for help, you guys are awesome!

 

I recently purchased a front and rear shocks from 2023 TRD off road (yellow and blue), hoping to put them on my 2014 SR5 which currently as the stock black shock/coil assembly which is at 150K and desperately needs a suspension refresh. The problem is that they didn't come with the coils... is this going to be a problem? Can I use my stock 2nd gen coils?

 

yes, you can use your coils. you just wont get the little bit of lift the 3rd gen coils give the 2nd gens...

 

You can, but you will not see a slight lift in the front and probably no handling improvement. I honestly wouldn’t go through the effort, without the coil assembly.

 

Thanks. If I am unable to find a 3rd gen coil assembly, is there a decent aftermarket alternative? I haven't been able to find anyone selling 3rd gen coils near me (British Columbia interior) and the OEM coils new are just not worth the cost, close to $275 CAD ea. If I am unable work this out, I will probably just attempt to resell these until something comes up with coils.

 

Are you looking to lift it or just go back stock ride height? look here: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...3582&_odkw=tacoma+front+springs&_osacat=33582

 

I am either looking to keep stock height or get the expected ~1" lift from replacing my 2nd gen suspension with 3rd gen suspension as described here.

All of the coils I am finding on ebay or elsewhere are for 5100 or other lift options which won't work. I haven't been able to find anything/anyone selling coils that are a direct replacement for the 3rd gen off-road coils. I thought that the 4600 Bilstein springs may have worked, but apparently the stock 3rd gen OR billies are not the same, despite looking similar.

I am kicking myself that I didn't just wait for some takeoffs that included coils... I thought that I would have experienced some benefit just keeping the stock coils, but I am not sure I want to go through the hassle of installing these if there's going to be no tangible benefit.

 

Hoping to get some input here. I've got ~96K on my 2014 DCSB TRD sport and am torn between two very popular options. I mostly drive on windy mountain roads, light offroading, but mostly want to improve the ride quality on washboard roads. I've got a bedrack, tent, and hitch rack for bikes on the truck pretty much all the time so ~200 lbs extra with a completely empty bed. The sport-tuned suspension is great on the road (minus the regular pothole encounter) but is jarring offroad and dangerous when the stiff ride causes a loss of traction out back. Time for some upgrades!
Option 1: More expensive but most likely worth it, Bilstein 5100 kit with a 1.5-2" rear AAL. Take the ride height from level (stock ride height+ extra bed weight) to ~2" lift and a hopefully better ride. I can't seem to find many comparisons between the 5100's and stock sport suspension other than "it rides better" (Yeah, but how?)
Option 2: Less expensive but might be less noticeable of a difference, find a used set of TRD OR suspension from a 3rd gen Taco or 5th gen 4runner (fronts will work, not sure about rears). Do the AAL and front strut spacers if the ride height isn't increased.

Thoughts, feedback, or suggestions are appreciated!

 

I recently installed a set of shocks and struts with coils from a 2023 TRD Off Road that had 3K miles of service from a seller on eBay. Previously I was running an OEM 2015 TRD Off Road setup and before that it was the 2nd gen stock Pre Runner Tokicos (company bought out by Hitachi). I just did a straight swap with no spacer in the front. Whatever height gain I had in the front after the swap went away after I installed the Body Armor hiline front bumper and winch (combined weight of 142 lbs., minus the weight of the former aluminum crash bar guesstimate of 15lbs, net gain 127 lbs.). Good thing the front spring rate of the 3rd gen Off Road is higher at 717 lbs vs. the former of 500 lbs in the 2nd gen. I type all that to say that if you plan to go this route and you also plan to install an aftermarket front bumper, or even a hybrid type bumper, consider a spacer to achieve your target lift height.

 

On a similar note, I just picked up some new 3rd gen OR shocks and coils after reading this thread. Also picked up an icon progressive add a leaf 1.5" at the same time. Now I'm thinking that the AAL is going to be too much lift in the back. I've got a 2014 DCLB SR5 with a fiberglass cap and carry a lot of gear when I go camping. I'm not scared of too much rake, but even so, should I get at least a 1/4" strut top spacer to help level the front?