Any way for a more comfortable ride?

Alright guys, I love my Tacoma... but the awful ride and horrible seats are really starting to make me want something else. I've got a 3" front spacer with stock springs and shocks, and 3rd gen Bilstein shocks in the back with a 2" add a leaf. (I have a 5 lug so that's really one of my only lift options)

The 4spd auto is absolute crap. When going above 70 on the highway, cruise control thinks I need to drop 2 gears and bang off the rev limiter on any kind of up hill. So, I don't use it, then you add the rough ride, and any kind of trip over 30 minutes really takes it out of me. Does anyone know of a way to alleviate this problem? Any kind of pedal commander that would help? Gears? A fluid flush?

I've been getting by with the lack of space (I have an access cab), but I do occasionally have to have more than just one other person in my truck, and those back seats are not friend to anyone. I'm also wanting to haul around my crap project cars and occasionally my dad's boat when I want to go out to the lake. I really do love my Tacoma, but I'm thinking about buying something else that suits my needs better... But every time I get out of it and look back I can't imagine looking at anything else. If anyone could help that would be great. I can deal with the lack of space, but the comfort, and towing are things I really want.

If nothing helps I'm getting a RAM... so please, for the love of god, someone help lol

 

What tires do you have?

Get an ECU tune for that shift issue. @JustDSM

 

Your driving a 16 yr. old worn out truck. It’s dead, pass it on to a youngster ! Life is short, time to upgrade.

 

I'd agree with spitdog above - sounds like you are trying to make yours do things it isn't necessarily very good at doing (like towing project vehicles). Go buy your RAM, a Tundra, or a newer Taco quad cab. Those will all be more comfortable options so you can enjoy the drive which is what it's all about.

It's hard to move on sometimes but life is about variety! Or at least that's what I tell myself every time I buy something new & having owned more cars in my life than years I have lived.

 

Thanks for the reply guys. You're right, i guess it is time to move on. I love my truck but it just doesn't do anything I need it to, other than go from A to B.

 

Get rid of the lift and oversized tires. It doesn't have to be stock. But the lift and tires is what makes these things less capable of being a street truck.

For an even softer ride - lower it down like a car.

 

3 inch spacer on stock shock and springs. Well, yeah, it should ride like crap.
A new, proper set of coilovers would probably improve things drastically.

 

It's a 5 lug. The most car like riding Tacoma there is on a nice stock-ish suspension.

235 75 15 P rated tires on stock spec wheels will fit with no modifications or lift needed and give a real 1" ground clearance over the OE 215s

Ditch all the lifting stuff, use airbags when you want to tow or load a bit heavy.

Predict no more driving rev limiter stuff with the suspension/tires corrected, assuming a healthy well maintained engine.

It's a 4cyl auto. Dont expect more than it can give.

If you just have to have more than it can provide, well, thanks for stimulating the economy.

 

New Bilstein 5100 shocks and new take off 3rd gen springs all around and some factory size P-rated tires and it will be comfy again. Cheap and effective.

 

my vote is a newer suv. sounds like you want to tow more things/weight/people than the tacoma can handle with a ride that's not gonna be achievable with a truck.
maybe a 2010+ 4runner of you don't tow over ~4-5klbs. or a full size suv like the sequoia if you are able to drive something bigger every day.

 

It's a 5 lug. Pretty sure 5100s dont fit. And he doesnt have 3rd gen springs as they wouldn't fit either.

 

Most boats 16’ and under don’t weigh a heck of a lot. My vote is freshen up the suspension and tires for a better ride and more drivability for under $2k and skip the car payments.

Smaller tires than stock will give you a gearing advantage for more torque especially if they are lighter weight.

 

There are no coilovers available for 5 lugs. A spacer lift is our only option.

 

A lot of people don't know how limited 5 lugs options are... I didn't know either when I bought it, otherwise I wouldn't have.

 

Yes this along with your first post sounds like you need to bail out and buy something that will get the job done. Ram 1 ton duelly with Cummins that should be enough.

 

I don't think I need a cummins, but I like the RAM interiors and hear they have a nice ride. That's the only reason I am leaning towards them more than the other full size options.

 

Get the Ram. You'll be happier.

 

Buy a car too use as a daily driver.

 

You have a 5 lug which, IMO, is best kept at stock lift and ride. It takes too much to try to lift a 5 lug to be even the same height of a stock 6 lugger. Sell the 5 lug and get a 6lug tacoma then lift it as high as your heart desires. Your rough ride is from your lift setup. 3" front spacer and a 2" rear aal is as rough as it gets and a horrible way to lift a Tacoma regardless if you have a 5-lug or 6-lug Taco.

 

The problem is I don't want a car payment. My truck is paid off. The spacer and aal is the easiest way to lift a 5 lug without custom fabrication. I'm trying to gather enough information to pulld the trigure on building a custom set of coilovers for the front, but I'm left with the problem of the rear.