Suspension height.

Today i ended up parked next to a gen3 cement colored sr5 very similar to mine except for some odd reason my 2020 tacoma was notably taller than this other one by at least an 1 1/2'', or more. While i was staring at both trucks side by side, its owner came out of the hardware store, and asked me whats wrong. I said nothing, just looking at both trucks. He said his is a 2021 sr5. Did toyota do something that changed the suspension in the 2021 that it made it lower? Granted i have slightly larger 265/70 16 a/t tires, but they should be that large a difference.

 

If his was a LB they sit slightly lower than SB due to weight.

 

No it was an identical sr5 access cab same as mine, and it didn't even have the factory tonneau cover like mine. I've been parked next to gen3 trd's, and some sr5's in the past, but they were all double cab models. All have been the same height as my truck that you couldn't tell. Its been this 2021 sr5 thats been different enough that made it very noticeable. I'm just curious if toyota changed something, maybe to make them ride more compliant.

 

I have a 2022 SR5 DBL cab and I have noticed mine doesn't sit as tall as other's that I have been around in traffic or at the light, but when I was purchasing it at the dealership it was as tall as the other's on the lot. I'm saving and going to have a factory lift kit put on as soon as I can but unfortunately that's as high as I can lift mine without voiding the warranty I have because it would be alot cheaper and I could go higher with other kit's.

 

I can see that on a truck as yours, but this was an identical except for the color a access cab sr5, just built a year later. Its the first access cab as of late that parked next to me. Theres a very noticeable gap between the top of my tires to the fenders compared to his 2021 truck. I'm curious if toyota changed the spring rates on these later tucks.

 

That's not correct. I have both SB and LB and both measured out almost the same within 1/4 of an inch on both prior and after the lift measured even closer. Same lift and tires used.

 

Maybe it was a 2 wheel drive.

 

No it was a 4wd. My truck looked like it had a small lift vs his, yet it my tacoma always been the same height as other older gen3 tacomas i've been next to. This 2021 sr5 access cab was different. I'll bet it rides nicer than mine. I still think toyota changed something with the suspension in their later sr5's.

 

Throw on someone's take-off Off-Road suspension and it will ride 100% nicer. The SR5 shocks are made of cement. I find it weird that you'd be that much higher though, doesn't make sense, maybe his tires were low.

 

I didn't ask if he had a 4 cylinder in his truck. Maybe theres a difference that the 4 is lower?...mines a v6
My truck has always ridden on the harsh side. Its acceptable now with more miles on it that i no longer notice it.

 

If anything the 4 should tend a little higher because of the lighter engine weight. Swear mine looks slighted lifted compared the usual V6 double cab.

 

Parking lots and roads aren't always evenly flat.

I can't even tell when my truck is parked next to co-workers 2WD SR5's which one is taller.

 

I don't think it had anything to do with parking area. This place was very flat and level. There was another thread of this gen3 forum that showed a similar sr access cab that was a new truck. That truck looks the same as the one i've been describing. You look at the air gap between the top of the tires and the fenders, its not as much as my truck. On my truck you can see more of the suspension upper control arm vs that 2021 truck.

 

You have been here long enough to know the suspension in 2016 is exactly the same as 2023. Shocks change on the OR and Pro but that is the extent, except tires. A 2wd vs 4wd vs Limited vs SR are all the same springs and control arms and dimensions. Tires are pretty much it.

 

Was the other guy on 245-70-R16s? It would make him 1/2” lower. I have 1.5” from lift via pro shocks and 1/4” top hat spacer but my hood feels like it is lower than stock Tacomas I have pulled next to.

 

I already realize his tacoma was on the stock 245/75 16 tires and mine were on 265/70 16 ones, but the difference didn't justify it enough. The biggest change you immediately saw was the difference in front end heights between the two as both trucks were backed up into their parking spaces.

 

I'm not doubting the tacomas made before 2020 being the same...its ones later that might have had some changes to their suspensions, like an sr or sr5. Seems the trd trims haven't changed from what i see.

 

Maybe the ground was uneven.

 

Post 13

 

One optical illusion I have noticed is without steps, my Tacoma looks higher than Tacomas with steps.