REVIEW 3rd gen suspension on 2nd gen

Nope all the same. Off road and sport are different parts. The Off Roads will give your front end a bit of a lift (an inch or so), the sports will not.

 

I have the shocks just looking for 3rd gen springs.

 

So if 3rd gen OR and 2nd gen OR shocks are the same bilsteins, can I just swap 3rd gen springs on my 2nd gen shocks and get the same benefit?

 

yes, the springs are different (read a tad taller) on 3rd gens, you can re-use your shocks

 

Nice, thanks

 

I have a 2011 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 non TRD. I'm going to buy 2018 front struts and rear shocks. Will my current front strut mounts on the non-TRD 2011 work on the 2018 TRD front struts? Also, the struts I'm purchasing don't have the top bolt that holds the strut mount down on top of the spring. Will my non-TRD 201l front strut top bolt work when swapped over on to the 2018 TRD strut?

 

All can be mix and matched as long both trucks are 6 lugs. Cheers!

 

Are the top nuts on the REAR non trd 2011 shocks interchangeable with top nuts on the TRD 2018 4600’s as well. Both or 6 lug

 

*are

 

Anyone can help me figurate what better to do?
I have 2nd gen Toyota Tacoma 2015 RWD Prerunner with completely stock suspension with over 100k miles.
Originally was thinking about getting set of Bilstein shocks and struts from 3rd gen TRD.
But recently discovered that Bilstein 4600 actually much bigger than 3rd Gen TRD studs.
So how much bigger difference?
Especially concern about 1 inch lift that will be by 3rd gen springs.
I trying improving ride quality of the trip, especially with heavy loads ( tools). But I don't need lifts

 

So a heavy loads, shocks do not carry the weight, the springs do. Springs control the bounce(potholes, bumps etc) and shocks control the springs by dampening them so they dont keep bouncing. Only the 3rd gen OFFROAD FRONT springs gives that additional lift. the sports do not. and the rear, any new spring you install will give you a bit of a lift as your springs are tired, older and have unsprung some.
Bore size of the shocks gives them more fluid, which gives them more control over the dampening affect they give the springs. the 4600 have 4600mm bore, I cant find the bore size of OEM shocks, but I see alot of people saying they are smaller. So, a bigger bore size would benefit you with a heavy load as it will dampen more, but again, your springs need to be addressed as well, or you will simply wear out your shocks sooner as they will be the crutch for your old springs.

 

This was my exact situation except mine is a 2013. I did the swap(150 for the OR take offs and 200 for the install) and I can say it does ride a bit better than the old shocks. It's firmer for sure but a bit harsh on speed bumps and dips. I'm pretty sure it's lifted a bit because I got the Springs also but I don't notice it. It was harsher in the beginning but has settled after 1000 miles.

But now I want something that drives a little smoother and less bouncy on bumps because I don't go off roading at all. I'm either going to try the Sport tokico shocks next or something with progressive valving.

 

Anybody have experience doing this mod to a truck that has a heavy bumper and winch?

 

I put a 2013 TRD 3rd gen suspension with 30,000 miles under my 2011 and it looks great. However the front TRD springs for the 3rd gen with the high spring rate (due to the 3rd gen being a heavier truck in general) under the 2nd gen are a bit stiff up front for me. Anyone have any experience with Bilstein 5100's set at .85 on 2nd gen with SR5 Package - and stock springs? Pictures or reviews? want some lift with a stock type ride - so I'm thinking about putting 5100's on there with them set to .85 and re-using my old SR5 springs to retain a stock type ride. Anyone have any experience with this? Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

2018 TRD-OR front struts on with 1/4" thick taco lean spacer on driver's side. Still have OG pre-TSB two leaf springs out back that I hope to have swapped out for 3G springs this weekend (and have 1/2" Trail Edition spacers on hand in case it doesn't yield any lift; seems to have a bit of negative rake). Didn't measure how much lift I got; but it was on aftermarket struts anyway so not really that relevant anyway. CV was at a bit of a negative angle before, and now it's about that much "positive" by my eyeball-o-meter. Wound up exactly where I wanted it I think, a bit more yet not obviously lifted.

 

Alright TW. I think I might have effed up a bit....
2007 Tacoma TRD sport dclb.
With 3rd gen trdOR front and rear shocks springs. I got about 1inch rake in the back which I want to keep.
Truck is currently in the shop getting a lift done with blocks and spacers.
I wanted something small. Went with 2inch spacers and 1inch tapered blocks.
Now I'm a bit concerned that I went too much in the front with the spacers..
If the third gen suspension gives me a inch lift in the front and I throw on a 2 inch spacer with 1inch blocks in the rear am I still gonna keep my 1inch rake? I don't want to be higher in the front.... Did I eff up? Or should I call the shop and swap out the front spacer to something shorter?

I just wanted a couple of inches of lift front and rear while keeping the 1 inch of rake in the back.

Thanks in advance!

 

Anyone else have their shocks settle?

I think mine settled back to stock. Added a 1/2” top hat spacer (1” lift) and now it’s back to where it was immediately after I put on the 3rd gen suspension (or barely a 1/4” higher). I wish I took measurements before I put on the spacer. DCLB. Current measurements with spacer and rear AAL:

DS 21 1/2”
PS 21 3/4”
RD 22 1/4”
RP 23 1/2”

 

I seem to recall people's outcome varying. I swear I took pics of before measurements but can't find them, but as I recall I actually only wound up with less than an inch, and then still wound up with not quite an inch with a '17 Pro setup - I was worried it would be too tall, but it was only about 1/4 or so more than the OR setup. And this is on a lighter ACLB as well (although the FJ AWD conversion weight gain may negate that; not sure what that delta actually is though).

Since I did really like the ride of the '17 Pros, I have '23 Pro takeoffs inbound as a last ditch effort to get an OEM "it's not lifted!" lift to better match my 3G Trail Edition setup out back.

 

'23 Pro setup puts me about where I was with the '17 Pro setup with 10mm tophat spacers (home made). I am quite unfortunately still sporting some noticeable lean, so will be popping in a 6.5mm spacer and calling it good.

Also - I know this isn't supposed to be true, but while I am busting myths, I also have UCA on coil contact at full droop with the stock stamped arms and the '23 Pro struts. Liking the amount of lift as well as the ride, I wrestled with this a lot regarding the Pro UCA or aftermarket arms; but decided I wanted to stay OEM and ponied up for those (thankfully, found takeoffs at least).

 

I have the same truck and want to do the same strut swap and am wondering if you ever got around to doing yours? I want to know how much of a lift you got and if you needed an alignment.
Thanks, Tim