What Can I Do to Improve Ride Quality?

I started this thread in the 2nd Gen Tacoma discussion area and didn't get much of a response. I guess I posted these questions in the wrong location. I thought I'd try again...

I drive my Tacoma TRD Sport, DCSB 4X4 daily. I put well more than 30K miles per year on it. I do not off road. I would like to improve ride quality. What would you do to your truck if you wanted to improve ride quality?

Here's a few examples what I'm calling ride quality. Feel free to correct me. I don't pretend to be any type of expert in suspensions. I'm thinking better ride and handling as compared to the OE setup:
- would issolate passengers from poor road surfaces so that driving an hour or more does not lead to driver / passenger fatigue.
- lawful speeds and normal driving on poor road surfaces do not result in loss of tire contact.
- poor road surfaces and road surface disruptions do not impact the driver's ability to easily direct and control the vehicle.
- poor road surfaces do not hamper braking and acceleration.
- the vehicle issolates the passengers and cargo from vibration that might eventually damage or loosen truck components.

I recently sold my 2007 that had the factory AAL factory TSB performed. When the AALs were installed, so were Bilstien 5100 shocks, and Michelin LTX MS2 tires. I was pleased but, if possible, I would like to further improve the ride quality and handling. What would you recommend?

Would Fox or King shocks be any better than Bilsteins?

 

No opinions?

No experience?

 

Icon/King/Fox will all be better than Bilsteins. What's your budget? I'm assuming you mean washboard roads? Coilovers, leafs, and new tires.

 

Thank you for the response DPC08.

Do you have any specific shocks and coilovers and leafs in mind? Can I get by for less than $2K in parts (not including tires).

 

If you only drive on road, I think stock is good enough.

 

Thanks for your comment. If you install a set of Bilstein 5100's and Michelin LTX MS2's on your truck and tell me the improvement is not dramatic I might agree that "stock is good enough".

I'd have to spend a lot more on a Ford or GM product to get a better ride than the "good enough" ride of a Tacoma (and then I wouldn't have a Tacoma). I know I can get a noticable improvement with Bilsteins and tires. I'm interested in, and willing to pay for, more.

My problem is a "trial and error" method of changing out parts can get expensive. I'd rather leverage what others have already learned.

 

2.5 icons all around with CDC so you can adjust to your needs as they change.

 

Cheaper solution would be get Icons but re-valved for better on-road ride.

 

Icon stage 1 with an add a leaf will run you close to $1700 on Wheeler's. Or just get the stage 2 that comes with an AAL. Comes to a hair under 2k on Wheeler's. I went through Downsouth Motorsports for my stuff. DSM, SDHQ, and Wheeler's are all pretty active vendors on TW.

 

Icon's out of the box will ride better on the road over the other big brands. The valving that come with in them is more suited for the Daily-Driver/ Weekend Warrior user.

If you want to shoot me a PM, I can get you some pricing and we can get you the best bang for your buck and keep you at or under budget.

 

How would you describe the ride of Icon vs King or Fox on road out of the box.

 

Better...LOL Everyone is gonna feel it different. To me the Icon kit's feel more stable on road due to the valving. Icon also uses a 650lb spring vs the others using a 600lb spring. So that little less preload needed to obtain the lift helps with ride quality as well.

 

What if I don't care about lift? Or are those fightin' words

 

thread revival... I am also interested in upgrading the suspension to get better ride and would prefer stock ride height, or maybe 1.5 lift at the most. I spend 25,000 miles a year on the highway and almost never off road.

 

I am going try general spring leafs in rear, 5100's, and Toytec/Bilstein coilovers in the front. Lot of money but should be a nice ride on an off road.