Difference in TRD Off Road suspension?

I was wondering if there is a difference in the base suspension to the trd off road suspension. My whole suspension was worn out from the previous owner and I'm starting to beef up the build(bed rack and roof top tent, steel bumper and winch,ect). I'm also on a bit of a budget of about 1.6k. I have an open mind towards aftermarket but I've never needed new suspension before. Also I just put on 265/75/R16 BFG KO2's. Will I still have a slight rub or will this help. Not that that part matters too much. Thanks for your advice!!
2009 Tacoma Access Cab Base model.

 

TRD off-road has bilstein shocks, but you can swap suspension directly from a TRD OR onto your truck. I would recommend looking into take-off suspension from 3rd Gen tacomas. People usually sell very low mileage suspension from their 3rd gen trucks for $100-$200. You will also get ~1in lift out of this setup on a 2nd gen, which could help alleviate any minor rubbing.

However if you want to use more of your budget, you could look into an Eibach or Bilstein 5100 setup.

 

As far as shocks are concerned, the base shocks are KYB, I believe. The TRD ORs use a Toyota design built by Bilstein. Incidentally, some will say that the TRD Bilsteins are the same as aftermarket Bilstein 4600s, but they are not. I have the 4600s and they are completely different shocks from the stock Bilsteins. Beefier than stock, but must remain at stock height. Bilstein 5100s, which you'll hear recommended a lot, are the same valving as 4600s but will allow stock height plus a lift, if you want, for not much more in price.

What most people do is a front spring/rear leaf upgrade (or add-a-leaf) along with 5100s. That's the most common, bang for the buck aftermarket setup you'll see around here, that will also give you much more capability than the base model suspension.

Not to knock the KYBs though - I rode a dirtbike with KYB suspension, and it was amazing.

 

Yes! A 3rd-gen TRD off road take-off is a great way to go too - I've seen low mileage springs and shocks for $200-300 for everything.

 

Wow thanks. That's a lot of info. I've noticed around town that almost all the tacomas sit at different heights. Yet when I check them they appear to be running stock. Which led to my curiosity about a possible difference in the stock version and the trd version.

 

No problem! I went through all this when I finally replaced/upgraded my very tired original shocks after 185,000 miles.

 

Ya I'm sitting at about 195 or something. They are very old and worn. Especially after two large trips back to back (about 5,000 miles each). Is there anything to worry about like my uca or lca if I went with third gen suspension? Any mounting issues or anything of the sort?

 

Just remember the stock Tacoma rear springs are composite and can splinter and usually sag alot quickly.
My 09 I went with OME rear springs which also gets rid of the spring wrap causing shutter (plus a Tom Woods 1 piece driveshaft) and then stock springs on 5100s in front . As long as you keep the front lift to about 2" all OK and the rear up about 3" and towing settles to level and I have a shell and full steel skids. Many options and many posts to read to decide money/performance/how high.

Update: Yea my use of composite may be confusing but the spring steel mix is substandard and fractures/splinters and can puncture the gas tank. Sorry for any confusion.

 

The UCAs are the same on both generations - the LCAs are actually different, but I believe it all bolts up just right. I haven't done it myself, but plenty of others have. Check out this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-suspension-on-2nd-gen.487273/page-5

This is the kind of setup I want to go towards in the future.

 

Thats good to hear. For the time being I think I'll take that route then. Till I can afford the insanity of a build I want. Thanks for all the help!

 

I'm a bit confused with all the problems mentioned. Are you referring to using aftermarket rear leafs causing the wrap and shudder or stock? I've always noticed a small vibration when driving and have looked in all the common areas including replacing my rear u-joints. Is that possibly what your referring too? My leafs are practically flat with an empty bed.

 

Many many posts on that issue of shutter/vibration due to weak springs, driveline angles, the 2 piece driveshaft and center bearing, etc.
Stock Toyota springs have a recall on them so check your VIN for it. They had a 3 and 4 pack so new my 09 had a 3 and any load sagged right to the stops so got free 4 pack installed that lasted about 4 years and they dropped so a load or towing right down on the stops. Toyota had their recall and a 2 year wait so I sucked it up and went aftermarket so I could tow my boat. Aftermarket springs are the correct fix as stock is for the pavement crowd that want soft and don't use it as a truck. Many opinions out there so good luck.

 

Oh wow ok. Ya I live in Montana where half of the year I need at least 200lbs in the bed to help with the snow and ice, and now I just bought a bed rack and roof top tent. The tent alone is already 200lbs and I believe the rack is 85 to 100. I don't remember. So then that leads me to my next question. How big of a "lift" would I be needing on my leafs to match the 3rd gen stock height? I constantly tow and haul due to my seasonal job and the winter. Should I just do a complete aftermarket setup or would I be fine with 3rd gen stock front and aftermarket rear?

 

Sorry but I have no insight into the 3 gen stuff on a 2 gen so read their posts. All my mods done before 2016 and 3 gens came out.

 

Thats all right thanks for the insight. Ill just go with aftermarket suspension. I going camping a lot and constantly haul/tow something so it will be worth it in the long run to go with that. Thanks for the help!

 

First I have seen that the rear leafs are composite.

 

I just did 3rd gen suspension swap on my 13 with an aal in the rear. Gave 1 1/4 lift in the front and 1 7/8 in the rear. Sits higher in the rear, but with a few hundred pounds back there it will stay level with the front. I recommend for budget upgrade, all together was under 500 bucks for brand new shocks/coils aal and 1/4in spacer to fix taco lean and it drives like a new truck.

 

HUH? are you confusing the leaf springs with the bed?

Never heard of composite leaf springs so I did some google searching and searching on this forum, I don't see anywhere that these trucks come with composite leaf springs?

 

Mine have a lot of rust for being composite

 

I guess our entire truck could be considered composite.