Ride differences between versions?

Hey all, I convinced my father to come over to the Tacoma side (he had a Ranger), and today was his (and my) first ride in it, a 2017 Access cab V6 SR5, automatic transmission, in Barcelona red.

I had a 2011 SR5, that came with the blue and yellow Bilsteins, identical to the ones on my 2014 DCLB TRD Sport.

Apart from the very slight improvement that the 13" longer wheelbase provides, they are largely the same.

The 2017 came with black Hitachi shocks, and the thing rides like a truck wagon. I honestly wouldn't trade mine for his, straight up. He's not impressed that a new truck would ride like this, and I can't say that I blame him. His 20 year old SWB Ranger is smoother.

Did something else change from gen 2 to 3, or are these shocks that much worse in ride quality?

He wants me to order something, anything, better. 5100s?

 

what specifically did you not like about the ride?

 

Rough and bouncy. Frost heaves that my '14 take in stride want to bounce the '17 in the ditch.

 

well, the Sport trim is a "stiffer" ride... you may want to test drive one, see if you like, and if you do, I am sure you can find a newer one on TW from someone swapping out.

 

This is discussed frequently in the forum (the harsh/bouncy ride of the Sport Hitachi Shocks). Many people do not like this ride. Others say they like it or do not care. It is a subjective thing. I test drove the sport and I agree with your assessment and opinion on the ride. It is harsh and bouncy like a wooden wagon.

So if you want a plush ride and to keep the truck stock, you need to look at the TRD OR. Otherwise you can buy a sport and upgrade to something aftermarket, though there you will be taking a risk that the aftermarket suspension components actually give you the feel you're looking for. There's really no way to tell and other's experiences and opinions on how something feels can vary wildly. For instance just because one guy thinks the 6112/5160 rides like butter, to somebody else they may not care for the new "feel" of the ride. Installing and then taking off suspension is laborious and can cost a good amount of money if you pay someone to do it so unless you can test drive someone else's same truck with the aftermarket suspension you're considering, I don't see much way around taking the risk.

 

5100's would be an easy, inexpensive solution to help the ride. People complain about the Hitachi shock all the time.

 

5100s catch some heat for being harsh too, though

 

I know they're not super fancy or high end, but from what I can tell people seem to like them as a replacement for stock shocks. Just what I've seen from others, that's all.

 

Except that he's saying his 2014 TRD Sport has a "nicer" (smoother? softer?) ride than the 2017 SR5. My '17 SR5 is probably a little "bouncy" on uneven pavement, but I don't really have a direct comparison. I know it's smoother than the vehicle a traded (an '03 Focus with almost 100k), but a skateboard's ride would have been an improvement there. Personally, I was going to give it at least a few months to break in and see if the ride improves any before making any changes.

So, does it make sense that a brand new SR5 would have a stiffer ride than a 2-3 year old TRD Sport?

 

Keep a look out for take-off's from an OR, they are much softer. Also its a new truck, it has to break in.

 

The man that just dropped 40K on a brand new SR5 doesn't think so, and I agree with him.

My '11 SR5 rode 'almost' as well as my '14 DCLB--the shocks are the same--. This one doesn't, and I don't this is a 'break in' thing. He bought it without a test drive based upon the two that I've had.

I think that a test drive would have crashed the deal. It most certainly doesn't make me want to trade mine, that's for sure...

 

This sounds like the problem. Sorry, but who spends 40k on a truck without driving it? Not trying to be a SA, just saying.

 

Find someone selling TRD OR suspension (the front coilovers and rear shocks) mine rides alot smoother than my old 2nd gen TRD Sport.

 

Someone who drove two earlier but recent versions, and did not think that along with the 3k price hike would come a deterioration in ride quality, thats who...

 

Find take-offs from a 2016+ off-road - they'll be more comfortable. You can even test-drive an OR model at a dealership to get a feel for them before spending the money.

 

my 2016 limited drives like a cloud!

 

It bears repeating, this: Someone who drove two earlier but recent versions, and did not think that along with the 3k price hike would come a deterioration in ride quality, thats who...

It's not that big of a deal, but I think it's reasonable to believe that the newer version of something should be better, and not worse. My 2011 shouldn't ride better than a, for all intents and purposes, identical 2017.

He bought based on past experience. Live and learn, I guess...

 

The issue is this....That is your OPINION... and we all know that opinions are like assholes.... everybody has one.

MY personal OPINION is "I love the TRD Sport ride"....!! It sometimes reminds you to put your seat belt on...hehe!

 

I figured the Sport ride would be hard on your hemorrhoids!

 

The TRD OR is the way to go as Everyone is saying keep an Eye out for some take offs, I'm happy with mine...