New Shocks - Still bouncing, chattering and slamming into potholes

All,

2000 Tacoma extra cab 4WD. Stock lift, 150k miles. Tires are BFG AT ~2000 miles on them 30psi. Shocks BL 5100.

I have been having problems with the truck bouncing side to side, rattling my teeth out on bumpy roads and finding it hard to control on any dirt or washboard roads. When I hit a pothole the whole dash rattles and the truck slams into it like there is hardly any suspension at all. It was so loose in the snow last winter with the bouncing I couldn't drive it safely.

Assuming it was my shocks I installed new Blistein 5100's front and rear. While it's better it's still not right. I'm hoping for some thoughts on how to troubleshoot this or what to change next. I did put the original stock springs on with the new shocks because I was unable to locate any stock replacement springs anywhere...

So, new tires, new shocks, where to go next?

Thanks for any recommendations!

 

F&R Springs…I’ve been there done that in my 2k and ended up replacing everything suspension under the truck including rack and UCA’s and LCA’s and related bushings drives like a new truck now.

 

I’ve been going through this myself and just yesterday I lowered my tire pressure to 23 PSI on my E Loads. That definitely helped the slams and bounciness

 

Welcome to the forum!!

Just what are you comparing the ride with??

Sounds about normal for a empty Tacoma! Want a Soft ride get a 4Runner .

Just how fast are you trying to drive ? Some roads around here 25 mph is far to fast.

I have never had a smooth ride on a wash board Road.

Best of luck!

 

https://www.generalspringkc.com/199...rear-leaf-spring-passenger-side-4-3-1-leaves/

note theres driver side as well. Stock height replacement.

 

For the leaf springs - you may want the HD Springs if you have a cap or regularly haul heavy loads in the bed of the truck. HD springs are the same for each side. Call General Spring in KC (lets go Chiefs!). They are very helpful.

For front coil springs...I'm not sure what is avail to take you back to stock height.

 

If everything is stock, start refreshing it all. If you have to piece it out, so be it. Truck is 22 years old, its going to be bumpy if the suspension is original. If funds are tight, do the rack bushings next. Coils and leaf springs would definitely be on my short list.

When I first started looking at my suspension, I replaced lower ball joints, rack bushings and end links. It did help but still clunky. Next up was inner and outer ties and then went full in with a suspension kit (OME from Wheelers) and aftermarket UCAs (SPC). Felt like a new truck again. Speed bumps, pfft. Costly but definitely needed. I'm still running original lower control arm bushings.

 

Op has not been back perhaps they did not like our answers.

 

People buy a 1/2 ton pick up drive it empty 95% of the time it seems.

Yet expect the ride to compare to a high end luxury sedan it seems .

I have been around Trucks my whole Life since I started to drive in 1974 They are meant to haul or tow something from point A to B. Some of those sixties and older trucks talk about a rough ride.

 

I'm here was just in the mountains offline. Appreciate the replies.

I bought this truck new in 2000 and been all over the place in it. Much of the time in the snow in the Sierra Nevada. I'm not someone who just has a misconception about what a truck is supposed to drive like. I've been driving it for 23 years.

From the suggestions the recommendations have been replace the steering rack, LCA, UCA with new bushings and leaf springs. It's a fair amount of work. Any suggestions on which project to tackle first? Also, F&R springs we're also recommended but I've not able to locate them. At the time I did my shocks I spent a lot of time trying to source a stock lift spring and couldn't locate any. If someone has any additional info on the F&R springs I'd appreciate it.

Many thanks!

 

I’d start with with the leaf springs that’ll get ya most of the way there.

just buy some General Springs, standard if you’re mostly empty, HD if you carry weight often.

depending on the rust situation you’ll likely need replacement main eye bolts (wheelers has em) and shackles as well - at the very least shackle bushings - other than that it’s pretty straight forward

 

Check out General Spring Kansas City for Stock Springs.

Thanks for clearing things up most times we just never know any history on the vehicle or the owner.

 

@Area51Runner. Just saw your reply. This is super helpful. Appreciate the help!

 

Thanks guys. Appreciate the knowledge and advice. I'll get to work

 

At the young age of 22, you need to do a LOT of rehab. Springs all the way around. Every suspension bushing (upper/lower control arms), steering rack bushing, all tie rods, stabilizer bar bushings/connecting rods, upper and especially lower ball joints and some driveline R&R.

 

Just to add, didn't notice it above but if you do replace your leaf springs, new u bolts. Don't re-use.

 

Ok will do thank you

 

Just an fyi before you start, depending on where you live (rust), you may have to out the front leaf spring perch bolt and the front alignment cam bolts on the lower control arms as they have a tendency to seize. Hopefully you don't have to deal with that nonsense.

 

Yes indeed that was a learning experience !

Now the cutting disc takes care of those right quick.