Shocks, what to do...

Im not an expert on the stock stuff by any means, but arnt the sport shocks considered linear vs the OR are progressive to a degree? If so...yea man that's two completely different animals.

 

A spring's job is to simply support the vehicle's dynamic weight change. A shock's job is to control the spring's movement.

If a spring is doing its job, then its all about the shock as far as ride and handling.

If you are going to add a bunch of weight all the time or you want to race your Tacoma then changing springs might be necessary, but not for normal handling.

 

Limited is the same suspension as SR and SR5, unfortunately....it really isn't bad, but i think it could be better for their premium pkg.

 

But when the OP is asking about changing the spring rate of a factory spring with an aftermarket shock that is not going to achieve what he is asking for in a positive way. Springs with a different spring rate or number of turns will help achieve a firmer ride.

 

Would it be correct to say to improve cornering/handling type characteristics I would want to firmer ride, however the firmer ride would lead to less desirable ride on pothole marked roads? Am I wanting 2 things that don't go together?

 

Shocks don't keep the truck from leaning in turns. Sway bars do.

As for OP, I'd get Bilsteins. In fact I plan to when my truck is in the 50-60k mile range.

 

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I Have sumo springs in the rear on mine, but I still wouldn't call it super stiff. I just wouldn't rule out the cheapest option based on the words of others. Good luck.

 

With the right progressive shock I would think you can enhance both characteristics to a degree. Kings IMO for instance are progressive, but you don't really hear complaints about them being shifty in turns unless you remove the sway bar, yet they can eat up a lot on the road. I think a decent progressive shock could serve you well. I have friends who have the digressive Icon stuff, 3 out of the 4 have switched to kings in case you are wondering about that avenue.

 

2 sides of the same coin. Shocks would help one thing and springs would help the other, as they work together to improve the ride/cornering/handeling of the vehicle.

 

I would just leave the factory equiped shocks on until they are worn out and leaking at least 50k miles or more before investing in new ones. Save ur money

 

I have a a 2018 Sport suspension that I just took off my truck (only 10k miles on them) if your looking for a Sport suspension. Just sitting in garage now.

 

I'm approaching 40k now. Looks like I'll be good on tires until at least 45k, might even stretch it to 50k. Thinking when it's time for tires I'll do the shocks at the same time if I decide to change it up any.

 

If you want something that will work better for cornering and give you some more support over bumps, get Bilstein 5100s and Wheelers T1 worcoils, with some progressive rubber bumpstops to better soak up the big bumps

 

Better cornering is a stiffer shock....
Easier on pot holes/offroad is a softer shock....


Most shocks ain't going to give you both at the same time. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 with those fancy auto adjusting shocks might.

 

I think it’s a common misconception for some that the 5100s change the spring rate by precompressing the spring.
Having 5100’s at any setting on the front doesn’t change the spring rate or the length of the spring once the tires are on the ground and the weight of the vehicle is on the suspension.

The weight of the truck is pushing down on the the top of the spring, which pushes down on the lengthened lower end of the 5100 shock, which pushes down on the lower control arm.

The lengthened lower end of the 5100 shock gives you lift. With new shocks, the stock spring doesn’t give the truck lift or change the feeling of the ride by changing the spring rate.

After installation of the new shock, the weight of the vehicle compresses the spring to the same height as it was before with the old shock.

Using 5100’s, with the vehicle on the ground, the spring height is the same on all of the settings.

What gives you lift is the fact that the bottom of the shock (depending on what notch in which you place the ring) is now longer. That gives you the chosen lift height.

5100’s have valving characteristics which give you a firmer ride with less lean and roll in curves and good control on large bumps.

But, you loose the cushy, compliant ride of the stock Bilsteins on the street.

The spring is the same. The shocks are different.

Our compact SUV with stock 18 inch wheels and stock low profile tires rides stiffer than the Tacoma with 5100s and 265/75-16 tires.
Just saying.

 

Yes.

 

the price tag for changing out the shocks can be hefty also, so if its not really broke don't fix it unless u got money that u need to burn

 

I have had my stock OR for about 2 months. This weekend I was on some back roads without the wife for the first time. I was pushing it pretty hard for me, and I was enjoying myself a bit to much maybe. Come upon some ATV drivers doing about 60kph, and may have caused them to poop their pants a bit. I have been driving dirt roads my whole life for hunting, camping and fishing. How this stock truck tackles it is just amazing to me. I know at that rate I would get into shock fade, and eventually blow them, but it was fun. I can see me getting a shock upgrade to allow longer fun times.

 

Question for you guys, i bought my 17 Sport 4x4 used, and the previous owner put a spacers and a block to lift the truck about 3 inches, it is a little nose high, but doesn't bother me as much as knowing that my front shocks have spacers. I wanted to know if i should keep this set up until the shocks eventually give out, or would it benefit me to swap out the spacer, and go with the billies with a 2 inch lift setting? would the ride quality improve, or would i even notice. I do not mind dropping from the 3 inch lift in the front to a 2 since it is nose high. Thanks! Here are picks of what the previous owner had set up.

 

My neighbor has a 17 Sport 4wd and got hold of a set of OR shocks. He and I agree the ride is not the same on his sport any longer. They didn't stay on very long. Yea it was a cushy and leaning like a 77 Lincoln Town Car in the turns. I mean it was okay if your going to be off road all the time. I think the Sport suspension is pretty darn good.