How to get the best ride

First of all, I'm new to suspension, but I have done quite a bit of research on the topic. However, if I have missed something that's already been covered, I apologize as I understand that's frustrating for the more experienced posters.

I have had my Tacoma for several months now, but I am not completely satisfied with the ride. It feels rougher than I would want, particular over speed bumps/holes/etc. I've got a 2006 Access cab PreRunner currently sitting on the stock setup, non-TSB with 265/75/16's, if it matters. I'm happy with the height, although I wouldn't mind if it were a little bit taller. I don't want to go much higher because I commute 140 miles daily. I rarely go offroad, and when I do it's not usually anything too extreme. (Rare enough to the point that when I do go play, I'll just live with the extra harsh ride.)

I'm thinking about getting the oh-so-popular Bilstein 5100's, but if I use my stock springs will the ride be any better or the same? Also, I'm debating on getting an AAL since I can't get the TSB any more anyway. I've never had any problems with bottoming out hauling my quad or boat, but some people have reported bottoming out with as little as 300 pounds! I know this would give a firmer ride, but I really don't want to run into any bottoming out issues, and some people have reported a better-than-stock ride even with an AAL.

I've also read about people using OME 885 coils with the billies. Apparently they can't be set higher than .85 for this though. Would this give a better ride than stock springs on Bilstein's? And how much lift would they give?

Overall I'm thinking I don't want to lift any higher than about 2", at the most. I really don't want to get any alignment issues and don't want to bother with new UCA's. I'm not necessarily looking to level the truck out. I like the rake on the factory set up.

 

After more research, I am now thinking about running all 4 billies set at 0 with Eibach springs and getting a 1.5" AAL. This will give roughly the same amount of lift on the front and back so I can maintain my stock rake, and I won't have to worry about the bottoming out issue. I also won't have to bother with getting UCA's. The only thing I am concerned about is the ride quality, but that'll just have to be something I experiment with I suppose. No amount of reading on the internet will let me experience different ride stiffness(es?) first hand.

If anybody has any alternatives or if there is something I'm not considering feel free to point it out.

 

OME 883s will get you about the same lift as well. Anytime you set the 5100s above 0, you will start to preload the coils and get a rougher ride. I am a fan of lifting with the coils and not the shocks. I think you will be happy with the Eibachs or OMEs

 

I agree with you about lifting with the coils and not preloading them. I was thinking Eibach's because I could get a little bit of lift with the billies set at 0 and if I ever did decide to lift it more I could adjust them higher. Do the 883's offer the same height as Eibach's? I think I've read that Eibach's give 1.6" when set at 0 and 2.5" or so when set at .85 and not to go any higher than that.