Review of the suspension TSB

I just caught this in your sig. I hope you'll share your opinion of it once you get it installed. I've been eyeing that myself.

 

Actually I have the SR5 suspension and I got this TSB a few weeks ago. ND's review is Accurate as heck for it as well. The ride is certainly more stiff and his assertion is correct for the SR5 as well. The front though is not included but I will now.

The front has raised approximately 1/2" from stock with the new shocks. The steering is tighter but the ride is more bumpy than before as Nd stated. it is even more so in the Sr5 since the stock shocks are softer of a ride.

Overall I like it and agree with ND about long trips. I am fine with it and it is a must for hauling large loads. But if you have any complaints about the SR5 stiffness I do not recommend this TSB! I liked my ride (overall unloaded absorbtion of bumps etc...) better before, but I like the handling better now (turns at speed and cornering).

Hope this helps.

 

Basically yes, some dealers are giving folks a harder time than others. I just went in when my state inspection was due early September & told the service writer about my truck bottoming out with gear/tools and/or passengers on several occasions. I had printed out the TSB, but didn't say a word about it. An hour later, my truck was ready & she told me about the TSB and had the parts ordered. Once the parts arrived a month later, my dealer did the work per TSB.

Other owners report dealers taking their truck all day to diagnose, test rides with or without weight (some actually loaded their bed up), wrong parts ordered or sent and actually installed. Some advisors will tell you the ride will become harsh or refuse to do it at all. It's really a crapshoot.

My experience was smooth and I'm totally satisfied with the suspension & how my dealer handled it. Also since my truck got an alignment, I had em mount new tires swapping out the dunlops. Its given my non-TRD SR5 DC a whole new ride. Worth it imo.

 

That is correct.

*TRD gets new leaf springs in the rear and keeps its existing Bilstein shocks.

**AccessCab and DoubleCab (4x4 and PreRunner, SR5 or not) get new leaf springs and 4 new Bilstein shocks.

Once this TSB is performed the suspension will be exactly the same as what is on any other truck with the TSB.

 

That is correct - only 4x4 and PreRunner (6 lug) AccessCabs and DoubleCabs are covered in this TSB.

 

Since your truck is pretty much the same as mine (minus a slightly different red) and you like it, I am not worried about getting it done. Handling is more important to me than ride comfort. Besides, if I need a cushy ride, I will put some weight in the bed (sandbags?).

 

Then you're good to go. The handling and cornering is much improved.

 

I'll write it up after I put it in and run a few tanks through the truck after it's installed. Of course that won't be untill after the VPE test concludes so as to minimize variables in that test. Look for the write up on the filter to hit just in time to put it on your Christmas list.

 

That really ticks me off actually . The Bilstien shocks were one of the main reasons I bought the TRD instead of just the SR5, and now you get them for free. I'm going to have to complain about that.

 

Don't be hatin'

 

I didnt have to go in. I just called the service dept and told them i was bottoming out and there was a TSB for my truck. While he was looking for it i told him all the details, and exactly what i would need and blah blah blah. after a few minutes he said, yup, there is definately a TSB, i'll go ahead and order the parts and you can bring it in next week. So didnt even have to go up there. It is a TSB, which means toyota has admited that there is a problem so they pretty much have to take care of it if you complain. They may try to give you a hard time and want to see the truck and verify that you need it but if they do that go directly to the manager and raise hell. Toyota says you can have it if you want it, the dealer has no right to go back on what toyota says and refuse to give it to you. Just tell them with 5 or 6 hundred pounds in the bed you bottom out over small bumps and the ride is harsh. if they give you trouble raise hell. BTW, you have to have a 4x4 or a pre-runner to get it done. Any 6 lug except for the regular cab i think, dont quote me on that.

 

Yeah, the non-TRD folks really lucked out on that one. However, i still have some cool stuff from the TRD package they dont have. I'd like to see smug ole' 007 put a inverter and outlet in his bed!

 

Dude, like someone pointed out on the TN forum, there is a lot more to the TRD suspension than shocks and springs.

 

Stratton: I forgot to mentin something that xedge said. Make sure to print out a copy of the TSB and have it in hand when you go to the dealer. make sure you let them know what your talking about. They are much less likely to give you a hard time if they think you're informed and know more than tehy do.

 

hey thanks guys. i will print out the TSB and head down there monday.

 

that subject has been covered numerous times. and the winner for the october prize is...

 

I am getting the TSB service done on my 07 TRD Off Road tomorrow. They are telling me to bring it in the morning. How long does the procedure take? And also is there anything I need to make sure of before I leave? I am concerned about the alignment procedures indicated in the TSB has anyone had any problems with the dealer not performing this part correctly?

Thanks for the help!

 

That's a good idea - except I would never use it. I have a portable one. The only thing I use it for is my laptop - that is only because I am on-call 24-7.

BTW - I finally got my TSB done. I took pictures and measurements before it went in, but it is too dark out for me to mess with that right now.

I have an 07 TRD 4 cylinder!!!

ndcouch, I now see why you love the Bilsteins so much. What a huge difference they make in the handling, and the ride didn't get as rough as I thought it would with the 4 spring rear end.

I love it. It handles so much better. It is a bit more on the rough side, but not nearly as bad as I was expecting.

The North Park Toyota in Boerne, TX took excellent care of me. They had my truck for a bit over 24 hours as I had a list of nic-nac things that needed to be addressed.

They got me a rental since they were out of loaners. The rental was an 08' Nissan Pathfinder. It handled very well, and I was afraid that I was going to be disappointed in my truck after driving the Pathfinder. NOT SO! The Tacoma with the Bilstein absorbers out handles the Pathfinder. I thought I loved my truck before!

(damn - can't make that smiley any bigger...)