Replacing 2015 sport with 3rd gen off road suspension

I’m pretty sure I’ve read a ton of posts on here about this but for some reason I can’t find them and want to confirm my logic is sound.

I just got a 2015 sport and am considering replacing the shocks with newer 3rd gen off road shocks (I found on marketplace for $100). From what I’ve gathered, it sounds like the 3rd gen off road has a nicer ride. I plan on eventually upgrading to some 5100s etc. but for the moment this seemed like a pretty cheap and easy way to get a nice upgrade in the mean time. Does this sound right?

 

Yup that sounds right!

Many members here have installed 3rd Gen suspension on their 2nd Gen. Reportedly it will lift the front about an inch

 

Yes do it, but if possible try to figure out which is left and right, there's colours on the springs that indicate this. They are rated different side to side to support the different weights.

Rear shocks just bolt them in.

 

There are usually colored “dots” on the springs.
You can search here on TW for “side specific”.
Toyota charges the colors every once in awhile.

Here is one example.
Hope your set matches

Red/Green - Driver side
Red/Blue - Passenger side

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/color-coded-front-coil-springs-on-2019-tacoma.616820/

 

Super helpful info thanks! I like how they change the colors... keeps things interesting lol

 

Did that to mine recently, but mine is 15' OR. Was an easy swap.

 

Not if he's only replacing the shocks. The lift comes from the springs. I recently replaced my shocks with 3g OR shocks and they work just fine. I kinda don't like them because I'm used to the firm ride of the sport shocks. The OR shocks are a bit soft for my liking. But they were cheap and I don't have cash to spare.

 

Understandable but I’ve only seen a handful a times people selling front shocks without springs. People replace the whole assembly usually.

 

They will bolt right up. As stated if you are going to use the 3rd gen trd OR springs you will gain ~ 1in of lift up from from the springs. But if its just the shocks, your 2nd gen coils will go in no problem. For 100$ even if its just 4 lightly used shocks its a good cheap refresh.

 

There is one guy who sells them as shocks only in the marketplace. I guess he works for a dealer or something. It's about to dry up if the 24 models have different chassis geometry. Also, there are plenty of people on fb who has shock only. Plus, for me, I bought some $35 spring compressors, so I can remove springs as necessary.

 

Suspension is 100% different on the 2024 trucks. There is a reason why I just refreshed my truck with 2023 take offs (UCA's, front TRD OR springs, rear leaf springs, and 5100's - fronts are 3rd gen part number- in all 4 corners).

After selling off my SPC UCA's, OME leaf pack - that had 70k miles on it, 2nd gen 5100 fronts, 5125 rears (both with 40 k miles on them), as well as the 3rd gen TRD OR shocks i got as a set with the 3rd gen UCA's (as i went with new 5100's) AND adding in rear air bags for load handling.... I came up 20 bucks. Literally got paid to do a full suspension refresh on my truck haha.

 

Yeah. The takeoffs are about to dry up. I just did mine a few weeks ago, so I'm good for another 75k or so. I'll switch to 4600s next time around when I have more money.

 

Yep, I've got coils on the front shocks but no top hats. Haven't had the opportunity to start digging into the project yet but watched a number of YouTubes on it. Be curious if I end up having to disconnect much (sway bar links, move upper arm, etc.) probably worth doing a more involved inspection/clean up while I've got stuff apart anyway.

 

I did the 3rd gen sport upgrade to my 2nd gen and needed a 1/4 spacer to account for taco lean on the driver’s side, I’m fairly confident the same goes for the off road suspension, regardless of the color coding, as my sports were color coded as well but still required the spacer to level the front end out.