Opinions on suspension upgrades for 2nd gen tacoma

Hey guys, I’d like to start by saying I have seen various threads on the forum about upgrading 2nd gen tacomas suspension. Some of them suggesting that’s the 3rd gen suspension paired with 2nd gen springs and others suggest OME and the Dakar leaf springs. However, I am looking for some recommendations for what I am looking for in particular. In the past I was looking for some lift when I had a 1st gen Tacoma. I settled for bilstein 5100s set up at about 2.5” lift. My experience with this at this amount of lift was a rough ride as well as going through CV axles like nothing.

Nowadays I’m looking for something that is somewhat in the sweet spot. I would like about and inch or so of lift as to not put too much wear on any front end components but allow enough space for my 31 inch tires. I would also like something that gives a bit of a smoother ride (I know it won’t feel like I’m riding on a cloud but at least a little smoother) but also handles well in corners. Anything should be better than my current setup (the suspension is best to death to the point the rear leaf pack is frowning).

The truck is currently at 220,000 on the odometer. It is my daily driver. I would basically like to do a full suspension upgrade. This would consist of shocks/struts, coil overs, leaf pack, and UCAs. Not sure if anything else would be necessary to improve the ride. Any suggestions for suspension upgrades would be appreciated as well as links to threads I may not have read yet.


What I am looking for out of the suspension:

smoother ride on the road. Living in New Jersey I normally encounter streets where several blocks are just made of of a bunch of potholes.

for off-road it’s occasional. Pine barrens sand roads or dirt roads sometimes with the speed bumps sometimes without.

towing I don’t do much of as of right now. Usually just bed loads for work tools and materials as well as occasional heavy loads for landscaping materials.

right now my wheels have the proper offset as to not rub. I have BFG AT KO3s 265/75r16. I understand since these tires are rated E the ride is already going to be tougher. However, I am a big fan of these tires handle great on and off road as well as all weather conditions. They can also take a beating.

and in terms of looks a bit of stance. The current stance I have I like. About an inch over stocks but it’s a spacer lift.

 

Read everything here, it's all been done before by somebody: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

You don't mention anything about offroading or towing, just what you want out of it on the road. Without full information, I'd suggest the tried and true Bilstein 6112/5160 combo with a set of General Springs OEM replacement leaf pack and then use blocks to get the right amount of level/rake. That would basically be an "OEM Plus" without much lift for a pretty reasonable price. Should ride and haul better too.

Dakars are squeaky and suck now compared to other options on the market. 3rd gen take-off suspension is a good budget option if you can find them now that 4th gens are out.

Regarding the part about having room to fit your 31" tires...same as it ever was, lifting an IFS vehicle does not give more tire clearance. It ain't a Jeep and doesn't work that way. You can easily fit 31" tires on stock height suspension with the correct wheel offset (typically anything positive or up to zero offset on a Taco). Going with more offset (negative) for that "poke" look is where you start running into issues. I ran 31" tires on -10mm offset wheels for several years and have gone to full stuff and wheel lifting offroad so I am qualified to make that statement but I can't wait for some chucklehead to tell me I'm wrong.

 

I appreciate your help so far. I will edit the initial post to explain what I’d like out of it on all roads.

What I am looking for out of the suspension:

smoother ride on the road. Living in New Jersey I normally encounter streets where several blocks are just made of of a bunch of potholes.

for off-road it’s occasional. Pine barrens sand roads or dirt roads sometimes with the speed bumps sometimes without.

towing I don’t do much of as of right now. Usually just bed loads for work tools and materials as well as occasional heavy loads for landscaping materials.

right now my wheels have the proper offset as to not rub. I have BFG AT KO3s 265/75r16. I understand since these tires are rated E the ride is already going to be tougher. However, I am a big fan of these tires handle great on and off road as well as all weather conditions. They can also take a beating.

 

I had the 5100s on mine and didn't care for the ride. I went with below and very happy, I do a bit of offroading and it's way better on the road as well. I've driven like 20K since doing this setup with lots of long road trips, the only downside was I lost about 1 MPG maybe 1.5. In my profile pic is a picture. Since I drive so much my tires are a bit mild. I thought I had some scraping, I did, but it was the front mud flap, It was bent in a bit, I just bent it back to normal and no scraping. The 6112 instructions you set the left a little bit higher than the right, so I was having some leaning and gone after that and the new setup. I think I"m like about 1.9" higher in back and 2.2 in front + 1 " bigger tires. So it is only 3" but it is noticeable getting in and out.

Front Bilstein 6112
Rear ICON RTX leafs
Michelin Defender 265/75/R16

 

I’ve had 5100’s, OME, and 6112’s. 6112’s are easily the smoothest.

I’ve run stock leafs, single leaf AAL’s, 3-leaf progressive AALs, Dakars, and Deavers. 3-leaf progressive AAL’s (with removal of the overload leaf) are the smoothest.

You don’t need aftermarket UCA’s for the amount of lift you want, and they won’t do anything to soften the ride.

Removing the anti-sway bar significantly softens the potholes but introduces more body roll. It’s quick and easy to take off and put back on if you don’t like the way it feels.

 

@TomHGZ The UCAs aren’t for smoothing the ride but more for my safety. The car is at 220,000 miles with a lot of wear on many components. The ball joints are definitely shot on the UCAs. Also if I set the ride height at 1”-1.5” I’d like to be able to account for that with the UCAs.

 

In my search for 6112s I stumbled upon https://www.shocksurplus.com/produc...005-2023-toyota-tacoma?variant=40202437492785 bilstein 812 custom build kit. Started looking it up and people rave about how smooth it is while others say they can’t justify it for the money.

Going to try and find more info on these as well as the leaf pack and which UCAs people recommend.

 

Get the UCAs and make sure your lower alignment cams aren't seized, otherwise, you won't get it to align and have bumpsteer. I have an OME 882 coils with 5100s and an Deaver AAL. The alignment shop can't get mine to align and get caster where it needs to be and the bumpsteer makes the truck handle like absolute shit. I plan on ordering new OEM lowers and JBA uppers.

 

Yea I plan on doing an entire overhaul on the suspension all at once so I will have to look over all the components before I purchase everything and go to have it installed. I will also likely be replacing the wheel bearings. I would like it to ride and handle as best as possible on all terrains from now till it hits 300k

 

might need to go long travel to deal with the pot hole situation in NJ

 

lol

 

Have you thought about pro or baja lift. I went with the baja setup when i purchased my 2013. Been great and will be replacing soon with same setup. Have 205k on my truck now. 130k on the suspension. This thread was very helpful. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/selecting-a-mild-lift-trd-baja-tx-pro-icon-aal.385619/

 

I have an extra set of the reduced profile/ increased travel Baja TX front bump stops if anyone is looking for them.

They work with shocks like the 6112’s and the 5100’s, as well as OME Nitrochargers and others. I don’t recommend them for tires over 32”, as you will experience some rubbing on the top of the inner fenders upon full compression.

 

IMHO it al depends on mission. Tires are really all one needs. I found some icon 2.5s used and had them rebuild. Also found deaver rear leafs. Got dirt king LCA’s during a sale and element UCA’s during ORW sale. All over the course of 2 years.

 

This shock test video is pretty good , some surprising results.
https://youtu.be/9s271Ln-6QI?si=HZ4Mz1aqdMsUFHQ8

 

I have like new used BP51s on the front and used but new kings on the back, Facebook marketplace deals haha upgrade on a budget

 

6112/5160 is the minimum.

Anything beyond that is dictated by your budget, not words typed on a computer.