OK. I am driving a Tacoma and my thoughts are

i am driving a 09' DC, 4x4 long bed sport. The truck has 5,000 miles and also has leather. Truck is nice but I am extremely disappointed in the ride quality. You feel every little bump in the road and the truck just doesn't feel solid. i have been driving a 09' F-150 Lariat, crew cab 4x4 for the past 2 days keeping them overnight. I suppose I am spoiled now. The one question i do have is what if I do buy the truck is there a suspension that will smooth/soften it out and make it ride more like a nice truck such as the F-150? I know I can do a search but I don't have time since I work about 90 hours a week and the Toyota and Ford dealer are trying to put me into something right now. Thanks for your patience.

 

a new set of coilovers with 5100's in the front and back will deff make it a much smoother ride, atleast it did for me

 

try a pillow under yer bum.

 

BBQ,

I can't answer your suspension question. I will tell you the reasons I traded my 2000 F-150 5.4L 4x4 with extended cab for a new Tacoma access cab.

My f150 had about 80,000 on the clock when I sold it and I purchased it used 5 years ago with 35000 on it. In the 45,000 miles I had it, I replaced the battery, tires, 3x belt, brakes 2x front and 1x rear, alternator, power steering pump + hoses, idler pulley, 2x tensioner pulley and transmission. When I finally gave up it needed headgaskets, a hub bearing and rotors and the doors and tailgate were rusting out at the bottoms.

Just something for you to think about.

 

put an air mattress under your ride and all your harsh problem will be solved

 

Perhaps another full size truck is what you should look at if you are comparing against another full size truck like an F-150.

 

see if the truck has had the rear tsb done....that would help alot

 

X2

A fullsize is bigger and weighs more - which will contribute to its 'solid' feel.

 

sorta like comparing apples to oranges isnt.

 

You clearly like the Ford......so buy the Ford....then in a few years when you are fed up with the Ford-- check out the tacoma's then maybe by then they will ride more car like.

 

x2

You will never be able to get the Tacoma to ride "like a nice truck such as the F150". If I where you I would compare the Tundra.

 

What he said....

 

Heavier truck = smoother ride on stock springs.
I like how my truck feels super nimble compared to the lumbering beasts that are fullsize trucks. They have their purposes, but they don't fit my needs. Infact, they fit very few peoples need as a daily driver.

 

Shoulda bought a TuRD foo!

 

I put the 5100's on it helped quite a bit, what really made a difference was the dakar leaf pack, now my truck rides pretty nice, especially with a couple of dirtbikes in the back.

 

I feel your pain with regards to the ride. The other day my wife wanted to go for a ride so we took the Tacoma (with the rear TSB done) as it has a park entry permit. We went out around the local lake. My wife is 7 months pregnant and every little bump we hit she would complain. I finally just pulled onto the highway and went home. The Tacoma does not ride near as well as my 2008 Nissan Titan did but I also don't expect it to as it is a small truck. Go for a full size if you are worried about the ride.

 

take some air out of your tires

 

What did you expect from a mid sized 4x4 truck?You want a cushy ride buy a Caddy or BENZ.I can't believe all who buy these 4x4 TRUCKS then complain about the ride.

 

Tacoma is a truck so it rides like a truck. I've heard somewhat good reviews for the 2009 F-150 but I can't get myself to switch. I have had other cars including Ford but I'm a diehard GM and Toyota fan. If you want a totally smooth riding midsize truck, go check out the Honda Ridgeline. It has the smoothest handling I've ever felt in a truck, I'm just into the way it looks and it is also incapable of real off road.