2004 Tacoma 2wd/base model with 183k on it, how to make it ride nicer . . . .

Well, its a 2004 2wd/2.4 liter 4 cylinder/5 speed/reg cab/base model, no options except a/c and carpets.

IT IS NOT A 4WD, IT IS NOT A PRE-RUNNER

IT IS THE BASE MODEL 2WD REG CAB SUSPENSION, 100% STOCK.

Hopefully after that I won't get bad advice/advice that doesn't apply to my particular model.


Anyways, I'm thinking of replacing the stock shock asorbers, since after 183k miles, they aren't in the best shape. Anything else I should consider to improve the ride/handling???? Anything in the suspension on a basic truck that tends to wear out??? Steering still feels pretty tight BTW, tracks straight down the road, no weird vibrations.

Any thoughts on what sort of shocks I should buy??? I want to keep the stock payload, ride height, towing capacity, etc. I occasionally do use this thing as the truck and load it down with junk or tow a small trailer(never more than a small boat or a small trailer of construction debris.

EDIT: I also know the add weight in the bed trick. I have a couple of bags of sand that sit between the rear wheel humps. I've garbaged bagged them twice to make sure they don't leak lol.

 

this section is a great resource

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/5-lug.114/

deals more with the 2wd 5-lug models and there are tons of posts for suspension

 

Base model 2wd regular cab could be a pre-runner (like my 08). 5 lugger is the way to delineate.

 

4600's are great and low cost. do you leafs and springs like that guy should be good

 

It uses regular shocks frt and back. You can try Monroes if you just want to change to a new shock. KYB's prob. came stock but I don't know if new ones will last 185K anymore or are any better than shocks from AutoZone. Prob. shopped to China by now. I had one a while. It will def. be better with new shocks but these trucks are short and light. They are never going to ride great. Now firm.....yea, I imagine if you shop places like Helbig, there is a kit somewhere to tighten it up quite a bit. Look on EBAY, somone prob. puts one together.
Low profile tires/ larger rims would prob. help a bit also. I wouldn't go over a 17" though. Maybe a 18" but tire selection goes down there.
Look on CustomTacos.com for idea on 5 lugs.