3rd gen taco - hoping for a softer ride

Hello,
First, let me apologize for being new/don't know much. I spend hours searching/reading but the more I read, the more I got confuse. I have an issue that need your help, please. I am sure this has been covered somewhere but I just can't find a straight answer.

I have an 2018 Tacoma DCLB - TRD sport. Because of the long bed configuration, the height didn't look right so I installed a Low Range Offroad lift kit, (3" front, 2" back). I also changed out the wheels/tires, (275/65/18).

I really like how the truck looks with these changes but the ride is much stiffer for my taste. I am guessing because it is a TRD sport and the fact that I installed the block lift kit, (cheap way for a newbie).

My questions for you experts is what is the best, reasonable way to make this truck more comfortable to drive. I forgot how a TRD Off-road rides but I drove an SR5 lately and I am ok with that level of comfort. Of course, more than that wouldn't hurt. I am comfortable with spending about $1k or more if needed.

Thank you in advance for your input.

 

Start by putting OR shocks on it that someone took off their low mile truck to 'upgrade'.

Do a chalk test on your tires, and possibly find you can lower the pressure several lbs.

More sidewall is better, softer sidewall is better (re ride on pavement) so a smaller wheel and P rated tire. Isn't that what was on it originally?

 

Thank you for the quick response.
I don't remember what tire rating was there before but the original wheels were 17". These current ones are 18". I bought them for the look. They are Defender M/S.
I think you pointed out something important, PSI. I notice it rides rougher now than months ago, probably due to TX summer temperature. I'll check that later today.
I actually bought a used but new set of TRD Off-road shocks/coilover but I was sure so I haven't install them yet. I wanted to see if there are other setup out there that will give me better result before I spend the labor.

 

The chalk test appears to be okay. The marking shows to be even. I did lower the tire pressure from 34 psi to 32psi. I drove it for about 10 minutes but I was not able to tell the difference.

 

what is the chalk test ?

 

Honestly, I never heard about it until yesterday. I had to google it. lol.
https://www.intercotire.com/using_chalk_method_determining_psi

 

Yeah, get rid of that spacer lift(rear block is okay). Eibach pro lift kit might be a good option.

 

Thank you for your suggestion.

I just called Eibach and was told that the rear shock of their "Pro Truck Lift - Stage 2" can not accommodate my existing LROR 2 inch block, for the rear. Their rear shocks were designed for a 1 inch lift but listed as 1.5 inch, which is already a stretch. Having a 2 inch block may max out its range. I may run into the same poor ride quality, I was told.

My questions: Since I installed the 2 inch LROR block for the rear, is the factory Hitachi shock able to accommodate this 2 inch block? Did it affect the ride? Do I need to get longer shock for this 2 inch block or it's ok for the rear as is?

 

You need to figure out if those tires are the SL version or the E rated version. If they are "E" rated than that could be your main problem.

 

If you are using the stock rear shocks, that wouldn’t change the ride unless you are topping out the shock, which is possible. As others have said, tires could also play a factor

 

I have no clue on how to check the rated version of the tire. I don't see SL nor E on the tire marking.
This is what I have:
MichelinDefender LTX M/S

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/michelin-defender-ltx-m-s

 

If they are LT "E" rated than it will say LT right before the tire size on the tire.

 

Shorter sidewall tires have a stiffer ride.

 

Get the right size coil over for the front. The spacer up front will load the spring more and make it stiffer even with a soft shock. Eibach, fox tend to run firm across the board.

 

Exactly!!
Change to 16’s with some beefy meaty tires.
Low pro tires are for sports cars.

 

Thank you everyone for your input.
Based on all the posts combined, It looks like I have a few problems: wheel/tires setup and block lift kit.

Since I paid over $2k for the wheels/tires setup and got only about 20k miles on it, I'll wait until the next tire change, to change the wheels/tires to what was recommended: smaller wheel diameter, taller sidewall tires.

In the mean time,I am going to remove the block in the front and replaced it with new shock/coilover. One of the post suggested Eibach so I looked them up. I was going to get Eibach "Pro-Truck coilover 2.0" but then another post says "Eibach and Fox tend to run firm across the board". I take that "firm" as in "not soft". I made a mistake of installing the block kit so I'd like to get it right the 2nd time, I hope. Is there any other suggestion for a set of shock/coilover, before I order it?

 

Since you have a sport, I think that any of the ones mentioned will be less stiff than the hitachi shocks.

Most of the people that report stiffness are coming from Trd off road shocks, which are softer by nature. Maybe someone else with a TRD sport can chime in.
Another option could be the bilstein 6112/5160 combo which many people here run (I have them on my f150)

 

Thank you for your input.

Does anyone here have experience with IRONMAN 4×4 FOAM CELL PRO STAGE 2? I am considering this kit because they are having a promotion where if I buy a stage 1, I get a free upgrade to stage 2, (added upper arm control).
stage1: $2300
stage 2: $2800