Got back from my fist test drive. Got some suspension and ride quality questions!

Just got back from driving a 2021 double cab short bed - off-road. Overall, I was super impressed with the quality of the truck! Everything felt super solid and 'truck like'. Definitely took a minute to adjust to a larger vehicle after driving a 2013 Impreza for years. No complaints on power or transmission. Had the AC at full blast and it felt like it had enough power to pass (I did drive on the highway). All said, I'm close to sold but have some nuanced questions the sale guy didn't really have straight answers to.

1. How does the Access Cab handle compared to the Double Cab/ Short Bed? (Specifically the Offroad)
   
   
2. I noticed the Offroad suspension def had some lungeing when I stopped. How does this compare to the Sport?
   
   
3. Finally, does anyone have the new TRD Toyota Lift Kit? How do you like that compared to the stock Offroad suspension?

The Tacoma ticks all the boxes as someone that needs a daily driver but wants to get up to Mt Hood, Coast, or anywhere else in PNW on the weekends. Now, I’m just trying to narrow down if I need the longer bed of the Access Cab or more storage of the Double Cab.

FWIW this would be a daily driver with the majority of my adventures happening 3 seasons. Eventually I’d consider upgrading the leaf springs and getting a Super Pacific camper.

Also, if anyone was curious. Gresham Toyota has about 30+ Tacoma’s. Certified used. All were 2017-2020. Most were 40k and up! Seems to make more sense to wait and just buy new.

 

Definitely regear the rear end for the camper and add air bags to rear suspension

 

If I was buying new today I'd want the Off-road double cab with 6 foot box. Best of both worlds. Capable with room for stuff.

 

If it's 4WD and you regear, you need to regear front and rear or you'll have problems.....for those that don't know

 

I love my Double Cab Short Bed SR5, the bed is pretty small and its my only negative thing to say about the truck. I definitely would have enjoyed the long bed for extra space, but living/commuting around metro denver the majority of the time I'm still happy with my DCSB for ease of parking/size. I think a DCLB would be a bit much for metro city traffic, but damn a bigger bed sounds nice. Just my 2 cents.

 

1. The DCSB and Access Cabs have the same wheelbase so they should handle pretty similarly. The longbed obviously will have a wider turning radius due to the longer wheelbase.

2. The stock OR suspension is super soft and squishy. The brake dive and body roll in corners were super annoying for me. If you plan to lift it at all then this doesn't really matter. The sport suspension is supposed to be much firmer.

3. I personally do not have the TRD lift kit, but plenty of people on here have it https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/toyota-trd-oem-lift-kit.695620/. My understanding is that it's more or less a rebranded 5100 kit marked up and installed by the dealer.


I agree wholeheartedly about buying new right now.

 

The turning radius for a 2021 Tacoma varies from 20.3' to 22.1', barely noticeable between a DCSB and a DCLB.

 

Coming from an Impreza you may enjoy the firmer Sport ride more than the softer Off Road ride.

Welcome to Tacoma World buy a truck and discover the most expensive "free" subscription around!

 

The OR has a softer ride, and no sway bar, which off-road is great,,,, on road, not so much. If you're going be replacing the suspension either way, probably not a big deal, you just need to decide if you want the fake scoop or the rear diff locker

 

If you plan on driving down washboard roads then you will appreciate the off road suspension as the sport suspension is stiffer. I have an access cab and find the 6 foot bed barely adequate so I’d never opt for a 5 foot bed and if you decide on a long bed double cab then the extra length may come into play when off roading (but I can only think of one time when it would have been a problem in my experience, every see Austin Powers trying to turn the Cushman around in the hallway?)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGiQOCX9UbM

 

The OR has a sway bar.

Stiffer shocks to replace the soft stock shocks solves the brake dive, mushy ride and leaning/sway in curves and in cornering.