Rides like a chuck wagon

Hello all, I'm somewhat new. I bought a 2011 Taco 4x4 base model. It's lifted about 3 inches and as far as I know, the suspension is stock I read previously NOT to buy a TRD model as it is much rougher than a base model. If the TRD rides rougher than the base, man, I can't handle the base much less the TRD. Any suggestions on a cheaper softer suspension? I would REALLY like to keep the 4x4 as I always wanted one since I was a young boy I'm now 68. My back can't take it. I had a 2021 Kawasaki KRX1000 that rode better than my 2WD full-size truck, but the dusting of me and the radiator up front for a roasting didn't appeal to me. So, what can I do as cheaply as possible Thanks?

 

Pic of suspension? If it's a spacer lift in there, the easiest thing would be to remove that and wha bam, ride quality improvement.

 

What @EatSleepTacos said, we need pics of your front and rear suspension to give good advice. Leaf springs and shocks, if there is an axle block. And on front, coilover, especially the top of it.

 

check the tire pressure as well
seems like everyone over inflates tires these days

 

Echoing the call for extensive, clear photos. Get a good shop light or portable LED flood light in there & take multiple angles, high & low, of all 4 corners. This is not "the normal condition" of your 2011 Taco.

With a 3" lift on it, it was probably done in any number of "wrong ways," leading to very poor suspension performance. Highly likely it can be corrected without too much time/trouble/cost, so long as you are willing to lose some or all of that 3" lift.

 

A stock Tacoma, even a TRD should have a "decent" ride. It won't be in the same league as a 1/2 ton truck, but acceptable. The lift and/or the tires are probably to blame for the harsh ride.

 

Not enough info about what's installed.

Have you driven a stock truck to set expectations? I mean it is a truck. But it should ride ok if properly set up.

 

It’s likely the lift.

The TRD Off-Road has progressive springs. It will ride “softer” and stiffen “progressively” as the spring compresses.

The TRD Sport is stiff. The stiffer spring and larger diameter sway bar help with body roll.
Hence, the Sport part

Again, it’s probably the lift you have installed making the ride “rough”.

 

I have tried too much lift. I have tried 5100, stock, and 4600. Had a rear block. Had rear 1.5AAL. Not all at the same time. Different configurations different times. None of it rode well. Can’t expect it to. The shocks are small and cheap. Wasn’t chosen for any PRO.

got 6112 5160 RXT. Rides better. Front is not maxed out. Was advised by a professional specialist to not max out front lift, that it causes bad ride and no downtravel.


and, the higher it is, the more it results in being unable to achieve a good alignment in the form of having excessive positive camber. Which I had, at one point, up to 1deg positive and wheels visibly tilted out. Not anymore. Camber is currently at 0.

when it was stock I could not keep up with regular cars doing the speed limit on a long sweeping turn without the rear end trying to jump and slide from the smallest non visible imperfection in the road. And had to make constant counter steer inputs.

 

I'm here to see what others say. My truck has the stock suspension, no lift, and for a truck it rides okay. The ride is not as smooth as my brothers' '23 Silverado but I'm okay with it and my wife doesn't complain about it.

 

Did you change anything between Feb. 28 and today?

 

No, I didn't change a thing. I'm new to all this. I don't expect it to ride like a car. I guess I was hoping it would ride as good or better than my Kawasaki KRX1000 side by side that I got rid of, not because of the ride but being dust bombed and roasted with a front radiator on a rear engine unit, who ever heard, went thru all that trouble of running coolant lines from the rear to the front and make an oven out of it. At least Yamaha Sxs has it right eh. When the taco hits a small rut it hits hard like there is no suspension and hurts me and not a big rut. I'm going to get detailed pics of the suspension soon and post them. I would like to keep it and have a 4x4 when I need it. I like the desert and in some places, the sand is thick and needs a 4x4.

 

I think you missed his point.

You said on 2/28

And on 3/7 you say

It's why he asked 'what changed'.

You have to agree that's a fairly radical change of perception in a short time if nothing has been done to the truck.

 

Well if the truck has been lifted it's not all stock suspension.

 

If it's lifted, that's the problem.

 

yes, on smooth pavement it drove and felt great meaning it didn't shimmy or that stuff Haha I see what yall mean now.. But on a slightly bumpy rutted road, it rides stiff and like there is no suspension. Sorry, I assumed it was stock.

 

If it was 1992 and you had to take photos with a Kodak film camera, have them developed, SCAN them on a flatbed scanner, & then upload them in order to post them -- that would be one thing.

But it's 2024 and generally anybody anywhere can take 15 photos in 10 seconds and paste them all over the internet.

When you upload a bunch of CLEAR well-lit photos of your suspension you will get lots of valuable feedback from knowledgeable people here.

No, it ain't normal for your truck to ride like a buckboard, and it's very fixable.