"downgrade" help

Hey everyone,

I have a question. With the car market sucking so bad, I'm deciding to keep my 2018 tacoma trd OR for a while and want it to last and be reliable so I can drive it into the ground. Unfortunately, the lift kit I have just isn't working out anymore. It rides rough, and almost impossible to get it properly aligned since nobody around here knows or will do a custom alignment to make my positive caster UCA's work right. I also am tired of constantly greasing my Dakars so they don't squeak. I just was told at an oil change that they can't even do a tire rotation since there is uneven wear and I need to wait until my fronts equal in wear.

So instead of just selling it for another vehicle, I want to bring it back to almost stock and ride it more comfortably into the ground since these 'yotas will last. I have 97k on it currently and have just done oil changes.

Current setup: SCS F5's / KO2's 33's / bilstein 6112 up front with JBA high caster UCAs / 5160 in back / Dakar medium leafs. I would sell it all and just keep the wheels and get smaller tires.

Do you guys think its worth finding some stock takeoff parts from an OR or getting the trd pro lift kit? I'm mainly looking for longevity and comfort at this point. At first I wanted that lifted look with intention to off road more, but I'm finding I need it to be more comfort and family oriented at this point. Worth the hassle? Anyone ever do this?

 

You order OEM parts, the TRD kit, do less expensive Bilsteins. I think if you goal is longevity, take offs may not give you the long term durability you're after. It would likely be the most cost effective route though.

 

I would work my way back to stock if I were you. Check your local Craigslist for parts and then sell your take offs.

 

Make a trip to Missouri and I'll trade you all my stock suspension for your lift. 56 miles on front struts, rear leafs, UCA's and rear shocks. Off a limited.

 

Thanks guys, as a part 2 of this... what am I looking for? Any third gen (19-22 still work? I have an '18) front and rear shocks and leaf springs? Along with stock UCA's? Would I also need new bushings and U bolts for the leafs? I wouldn't be doing any of this work, I have a jeep shop near me that is reasonably priced.

 

ha well I'm in CT... so a little far. Maybe if you did the work or knew someone that could do the swap, though.

 

As noted above, IMHO, aftermarket parts are more durable than OEM spec. My stock suspension was toast at about 55k with some sporadic wheeling.

Do your own tire rotations including a cross rotation every other time?


I am absolutely certain that there is a shop in CT that would align it to specs that you want. I'd do more checking around there.

 

You'd be surprised. Seems to be a lot of corporate places only by me... plus the only specialty shops are for jeeps mainly. But also, I'd like a more comfy ride at this point thats one of the main reasons. I love the look of the lift obviously, but its just not worth it anymore to me.

 

Go back to stock leafs, stock uca, set the 6112 to 3/2 setting, and 265/75/16s and be done with it. basically a TRD OEM lift.

 

Cheers!


Every butt is different, but (haha!) I have been impressed with the direction that my replacement went. Comfy everywhere, for me.

Also, I know folks who had their shocks valved and tuned by experts. They are all much happier with the results on road and off.

 

Find someone with a new truck willing to swap OEM everything for your upgraded kit + cash. If you want to be real nice just have them pay for the swap at a shop and call it even

 

I've never had the exact setup you have, but I would have to imagine your suspension upgrades would have really increased the drivability/enjoyment of the ride quality over the stock OR components. I think the largest factor is probably the tires, and obviously a discrepancy in your alignment needed. Driving on a bad alignment probably ruined the tires, and driving on uneven E load tires would be my first start at fixing the comfort.

 

I would be down for that. Anyone in or around CT, let me know if interested!

 

They are actually the C rated KO2's that were made for the new rubicons. But yes, that definitely has something to do with it. But I have the suspension on the highest setting, and its pretty rough and bouncy everywhere.

 

Damn, I have my stock OR shocks off my '19 w/ 5k miles sitting in a box in the garage but im in CA lol

 

That also makes sense. If you're willing to go back to closer to stock ride height, I'd try knocking off some of that preload and lowering down to a lower notch before taking such a huge loss giving your stuff away.

 

I would search and search for the right shop to adjust alignment. I have exact same setup ( except dakars,, I have rtx) and no problems at. Rides great and even tire wear. Rotate every 5k (cross
rotate)

 

Someone also correct me here if needed, bc this is nowhere in my expertise; but why would a shop say they won't rotate your tires if the fronts or backs are wearing more or less? Isn't that the point of rotating? At first, I read it as you saying your tires were wearing unevenly (like left to right as a result of bad alignment), not fronts to backs just generally wearing differently. Would anyone agree that OP needs to find a new shop, and check tire pressures to ensure they're all wearing evenly?

 

You'd be really surprised how soft and smooth the stock radial tires drive compared to those KO2's. Have the shop lower the setting on the 6112.

 

I'd do the work for ya...