3rd gen OR suspension on 2nd gen

I know there are other write ups on this topic but I wanted to share my personal experience.

Just installed TRD OR shocks on my 2010 SR5. Bought local from local member of TW. The new ride is amazing! This is by far the best bang for your buck. For anywhere from $100-$300 you cannot beat it. Everything bolts right in as well. Ended up needing to cut the top bolts on the rear struts due to rust and the lack of a place to hold the shock. As others have reported you do receive about an inch of lift in the front. Although it comes close it did not level my tacoma. I have about a 1/4-1/2" of rake left which I personally find desirable. Following others research I installed the Red/Green dotted spring on the driver side with the dots facing the rear. The new ride seems more planted as well as "gliding" over separations in the road. For those that are looking for a budget suspension that focuses on ride quality over lift this is it.

(Lift is not supporting weight of vehicle in B/A pictures)

BEFORE (stock):


AFTER:

 

Nice

 

Looks good!

 

Appreciate you starting this thread. I have a 2010 TRD sport, double cab with a six foot box and am getting ready to do the same thing. Struts are shot after 110,000, multiple trips on the Alcan Highway, and always some kind of weight in the back.

Aside from that frozen bolt any other issues you ran into? Anything you learned that would have made the job go smoother?

Will the leaf pack from a 2019 TRD 5ft bed fit on a 2010 6ft?

Appreciate the advice on comments in advance

 

Look at posts #8 & 18.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...n-trd-off-road-shock-strut-assemblies.618845/

 

Thanks

 

I have a 15 DCLB Sport that I had the 3rd gen OR suspension on. It's a world of difference! Especially on the Sport models since the shocks are progressively valved (gets stiffer as the piston speed increases) vs the Off Road shocks that are digressively valved (gets softer as the piston speed increases).

The rear leaf springs are the same part number for all 3rd gen Tacomas except 2wd SR5 or if the truck is/isn't equipped with the tow package that the parts are coming from. To my knowledge all 4wd 2nd/3rd gen Tacoma's have the tow package as standard equipment. You won't gain any lift in the rear unless your leaf springs are sagging. Below is the post I made a few years back when I did it on my truck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/review-3rd-gen-suspension-on-2nd-gen.542843/

I agree with @AJKlug1 about the amount of lift in the front. In my opinion it's just right. Not perfectly level, but not enough rake that is obvious. Just the way a truck should look.

 

Nothing to really make it go smoother but I didn’t think I would need to disconnect the sway bar from the knuckle but ended up needing to. I needed to disconnect upper and lower shock bolts upper ball joint, tie rod end, and sway bar link from knuckle and sway bar bushing on each appropriate side.

 

Nice work. I'm thinking about doing the same to my 07 prerunner. What would be better? The stock Bilstein shocks or the 4600? Also how different would the ride feel.

 

Nice, cheap upgrade! May consider this after my OME shocks wear out

 

You can't go wrong either way. I would say it depends on price. If you get 4600's you will (or a shop) have to disassemble the front shock, so OEM take-offs would be easier for DIY. Also it may be good to get take-off's since your front springs are likely sagging over time, especially on the drivers which is common.

From what I have read, the 4600 is the same valving as the TRD Off Road shocks. I believe the Pre-Runners do end up about a 1/4" higher than the 4wd models so you may end up exactly level. There was a couple in my thread I linked previously that installed the TRD OR set up on a Pre-Runner.

 

I did the same swap on my Taco last year, I completely removed the front sway bar and it made it a breeze to move the coil over assemblies in and out of the truck. I agree with the OP, it's the best bang for the buck that you can do on these trucks. It rides really smooth.

 

Nice work.

 

Here's an interesting factoid, the 3rd gen TRD OR front springs are 700lb springs. Which is considered taboo without added weight on lifted Tacoma's.

So when others with aftermarket suspension discuss spring rates and 700lb springs are considered "too stiff" for trucks without a plate bumper and winch, it really isn't because of the spring rate but rather because of the shock's valving isn't matched for the spring rate. Like the Bistein 6112's come with 600lb springs (what I have now) and I feel a considerable amount more dive in hard corners or fast stops compared to when I had the 3rd TRD OR setup. I am planning on getting the 700lb springs for the 8112's after my experience with the 3rd gen setup and lower the clip settings accordingly to keep the same lift height I currently have. I guess what I am trying to say is that high spring rates don't necessarily mean it will have a harsh ride if the shocks are correctly valved, to a certain extent anyways.

 

Picked up a used set off of a 2019 that only had 3000 miles on them.... hopefully have them in by the end of the week.

 

New shocks went into today.... biggest noticeable change is that all of my creaking, excess vibration, and rode noise has been significantly reduced.

Old ones had 112k on them, always weighted, and two trips across the Alcan.... may the rest in peace now, they had a good run.

 

Hell ya! That's great to hear!! It surprised the hell out of me when I originally did it too how much more refined the truck felt. Especially if you're coming from the TRD Sport suspension (progressively valved) or SR5 (who knows or cares lol).

How were your lower control arms alignment bolts? Most in my experience are seized. When I finally broke them free I cleaned it all up and put anti-seize on them, helped the alignment guy out a lot and helps me for future repairs.

 

Mine came out fine but the truck only had 38,000 miles and has been sprayed with Krown. I had new bolts from toyota on hand though just in case. I really appreciate your write up! definitely helped me out a ton!

 

Well.... kind of did things in the wrong order-

After the move I was having a lot of issues (bad wheel bearing and both cv axles needing replaced) and struts were trashed. I had the cv's and wheel bearing and alignment done at the dealer due to lack of time and not wanting to spend the money on struts (planning a full suspension upgrade in a year or so). By chance I found a guy local that was selling the struts from his 2019 and had a local shop install for me. If I had my tools and garage space/time I would have done it myself... doesn't always work out that way.

However, they did say the fronts came out no problem. But the rears gave them issues... but nothing terrible.

 

do you like how it rides better?