2024 TRD Off-road suspension overview and flex test

Notice how well the 3rd gen ranked in the ramp travel index at the end

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4oymoFNhnM

 

That guy knows his stuff!

 

I was going to post this. It's the best video I've seen on the 4th gen.

Considering he worked for toyota designing the Tacoma suspension on previous gens; this dude knows his shit.

Some things that jump out at me...

• Beefier lower control arms.
• Aluminum knuckle (less unsprung mass)
• Great sway bar design (with electronic disconnect)
• Multilink rear suspension eliminates axle wrap (and vibrations we all got from doing lifts on previous leaf spring generations).

He didn't come out in say it, but he touched on the fact the multi link suspension in the rear prevents the axle twist/wrap. That will completely solve the issue of driveline vibrations (like so many of us experienced) when the truck gets lifted. That's the reason I had to design a new drive shaft for mine.

I was also really impressed when he was going up the ramp without the locking diff on and the rear tire came off the ground and didn't spin or make noise. The TC just freaking took care of it. I'm blown away....mine would be making all sorts of ABS noises and shitting itself without the locker on. That might make me reconsider whether I NEED a front locker.

 

This guy does know all the details about every gen of Taco.

I was suprised however how much better the 3rd gen stock TRD pro and TRD off-road with the TRD lift kit did vs the 2024 TRD off-road (even with the sway disconnect).

2024 Tacoma TRD off-road without sway bar disconnect only could do 411,,,2024 is lowest on the chart unlesss the truck includes the disconnect. Even with the disconnect, the 2024 could not match the results of a 3rd gen box stock TRD pro.

 

I caught that as well. I suspect the shocks are longer on the pro which would result in better down travel specs. I don't know that for a fact but I'd be willing to bet it's the case.

And remember, the 2024 has a longer wheelbase. So just like he threw out the 4Runner spec due to it not being fair because of it's super short wheelbase....the 2024 is fighting against the slightly shorter wheelbase of the 2023.

 

In many of the youtube videos testing the 2024, it appeared to me like the new MY24 Taco has less rear tire droop with the coil spring suspension vs a stock 3rd gen leaf spring.

My 3rd gen AC with aftermarket Bilstein 5160s on the back and a 1" block has signficant more droop than stock and I suspect more than a 3rd gen TRD pro. The TRD offroad suspension lift kit stuck on alot of showroom 3rd gens even had an extended rear brake line hanger to prevent brake line binding as a result of more droop.

Wondering how one can get more droop out of a coil spring suspension?

 

Coil spring suspension isn't the limiting factor. All those crazy flexing solid axle jeeps you see are multi link just like this but they have ridiculously long shocks. The extremely serious ones have coil overs but the suspension design is similar.

First step with this one would be longer shocks and springs I'd suspect.

Like you, I went with longer shocks and a Dakar pack and my rear droop was wild (icons at the time of this picture, Fox DSC right now)

 

A bit off topic, but interesting and informative suspension analysis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtAP774EaIA&t=85s

 

https://www.giantmotorsports.com/?product=4-link-suspension-kits

 

how did he get the truck?

 

waiting for the first MY24 to get the proper rear suspension mods..

 

Same way as 4Runners do today - longer shocks and Jonny Joint links to alleviate bushing bind.

More serious rigs in the Jeep world convert to triangulated 4-link and delete the panhard bar:

 

Total Chaos, Mazzulla, Icon, etc make some awfully nice kits for the Tundra, sure the 4G Taco is coming.

https://www.chaosfab.com/product/3rd-Gen-Tundra-Adjustable-Rear-Link-King-3-Inch-IBP-Shock-Package

https://mzoffroad.com/products/2022...trailing-arms-mzs-t8-1?variant=39916233850960

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/accessory/24440/icon-accessories-22-23-tundra-125-35-stage-11-suspension-system-billet/

 

Flex-wise the disconnect overcomes the stiffer frame.

He explained it was a preproduction model. Several of the youtubers got extended time during the media rollout. He spent his time doing this.

 

Check the Youtube acct. It's Car and Driver, biggest automotive publication in America.

The author also does videos on the Edmunds channel. They push stock vehicles off road harder than other channels/publications. For example:

 

I watched that video this morning.

it looks like someone could make disconnect with manual removable pins for the sway bar for the poor’s like I have on my Jeep.

 

I thought I needed to add a locker to my truck but after almost 6 years in all sorts of terrain, I realized I do not need it.

The TC system is impressive even on 3rd gens and I only got the regular TRAC system.

 

I'm in a TRD Sport without crawl control and all open diffs. I went with ARB front and rear lockers when I did my regear to 4.56 gears. Best decision I ever made. I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't regearing (the labor was the same either way) but for the price of parts I'd have been a fool not to.

 

I'm curious to see how the disconnecting stabilizer bar works while driving. I read through the Toyota Owner's Manual for the 2024 Tacoma and it states that the stabilizer bar will automatically reconnect above 18mph. That's a pretty low speed threshold. The Bronco goes up to 25mph and will automatically connect and disconnect based on vehicle speed. I'd really like to be able to drive washboard roads with the stabilizer bar disconnected...

 

Washboard roads don't test your articulation. You don't even need 4WD. Combined factors of shock setup, weight, speed, tire inflation etc. affects your ride on washboards. If you are slamming into obstacles at speed that require articulation for all four wheels to get traction/clearance then you will have more trouble than just traction/clearance.