1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Comfort Tacoma 1997 4x4?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by McLuna, Feb 16, 2024.

  1. Feb 16, 2024 at 8:46 PM
    #1
    McLuna

    McLuna [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2014
    Member:
    #143040
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Home
    Vehicle:
    Strange Tacoma xD
    I want to have more comfort in my 1997 4x4 Tacoma. What can I add or change?
     
  2. Feb 16, 2024 at 9:01 PM
    #2
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Member:
    #42625
    Messages:
    21,364
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Deogee
    Vehicle:
    07' TRD Off-Road, Auto
    STOCK
    What do you find uncomfortable about it?
    Answer that, and start there. :thumbsup:
     
  3. Feb 18, 2024 at 3:15 PM
    #3
    McLuna

    McLuna [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2014
    Member:
    #143040
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Home
    Vehicle:
    Strange Tacoma xD
    I have my Tacoma for family use; I've never used heavy loads on it. I want to feel comfortable when I cross the street's bumps, so the suspension feels smooth. I've driven other, more modern Tacomas, and they feel comfortable. I think that at 24 year, I should consider changing the shocks or seats on my Tacoma, I'm not sure. I hope you can understand what I mean.
     
  4. Feb 18, 2024 at 3:37 PM
    #4
    JustADriver

    JustADriver Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2011
    Member:
    #53838
    Messages:
    667
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma 3.4L V6 2WD 5-lug AT 5VZ-FE
    You can spend thousands like I did replacing the entire front and rear suspension, engine mounts, and transmission mount. Maybe you can find an honest old school Toyota mechanic who knows what every piece feels like on old trucks when failing and can limit your spending effectively, but odds are that everything is more or less failing.
     
  5. Feb 18, 2024 at 3:40 PM
    #5
    Gen1andDone

    Gen1andDone Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2023
    Member:
    #427267
    Messages:
    452
    Vehicle:
    2002 4wd Tacoma TRD v6
    If all the suspension is original at 24 years old you should absolutely look into new springs and shocks.
     
    rocknbil likes this.
  6. Feb 19, 2024 at 2:23 PM
    #6
    rocknbil

    rocknbil Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2023
    Member:
    #414860
    Messages:
    1,115
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    Vehicle:
    2003 Taco Ext Cab DLX TRD 4WD MT 3.4L
    Agreed, start with these, best price you'll find on assembled coilovers and shocks and as close to stock as you can get. One day job. The rest of the suspension is a much more expensive story, but these will smooth the ride a bit.
     
  7. Feb 19, 2024 at 2:37 PM
    #7
    rnish

    rnish Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2014
    Member:
    #129450
    Messages:
    8,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Peoples Republic of Maryland (USA)
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma 2nd gen
    King's, Camburg UCA, Dirt King LCA, armor
    Get high ratio tires 265/75 - XX. Then keep the tire pressure low (26-30 lbs).
     
  8. Feb 19, 2024 at 2:44 PM
    #8
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Member:
    #149090
    Messages:
    17,645
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Downey
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner Regular Cab / 98 4x4 Extra Cab
    Empty Wallet Mod
    Bushings, springs, and shocks are the primary thing to change. Then you could look at seats once those are addressed. Look at Toyota Time Timmy on YouTube for how to’s on the front end since he does 3rd Gen 4Runners which have identical front suspension and steering components (minus ball joints and outer tie rods, but they’re basically the same design as far as working on them goes).
     
    billybop90 likes this.
  9. Feb 19, 2024 at 2:45 PM
    #9
    Nano909

    Nano909 Stirrer Of Pots

    Joined:
    May 8, 2020
    Member:
    #327296
    Messages:
    1,170
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Xcab 3.4 4wd 5MT
    Replace all your bushings, buy Kings suspension, lower your tire air pressure. You'll have the most comfortable vehicle after that
     
  10. Feb 19, 2024 at 3:24 PM
    #10
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Member:
    #149090
    Messages:
    17,645
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Downey
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner Regular Cab / 98 4x4 Extra Cab
    Empty Wallet Mod
    Bilstein shocks are more than enough to give a comfortable ride. I have 2.5 kings all around on my wife’s 4runner and oem take off bilsteins on my 08 and there’s no problem with them whatsoever making the truck drive and feel like new with replaced upper and lower arms.
     
  11. Feb 19, 2024 at 3:49 PM
    #11
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Member:
    #5269
    Messages:
    5,140
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    Rocklin, Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2001 prerunner doublecab limited
    2001 with; cat-back side-swept twin exhaust, elbow mod, Westin bullbar with Hella 450 driving lights, Snugtop XTR camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.
    Don't laugh. Sheepskin seat covers. Not kidding. My wife actually prefers riding in the truck over my Lexus RX350 because of those old, ugly, but cozy and thick sheepskins.
     
    Dalandser likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top