Warn Shocks / Smoother Ride KYB VS 4600

Hey,

I used the search and found a mixed response.

I recently purchased a 2014 TRD Sport DCLB w/ Cap and 100k miles. The ride over minor bumps is a little jarring on my back and it seems to becoming from the rear. The truck feels planted (certainly way better than my 1X4 ford ranger).

I have no intention of lifting the truck and I don't anticipate ever off-roading. If a replace the old Suspension with new Bilstein 4600 will I still have the stiff experience over bumps? Are the KYB gas adjust shocks are good value (soft) considering my needs?

The only consideration, is 2-3 times a short distance.

THANKS!

 

The 4600’s are replacement for original shocks. They are more heavy duty and a little stiffer ride than original shocks. I have them on my truck. My wife thinks the ride is a little harsh, I think they are just fine. Trucks should not ride like mushy suspension Cadillacs. Trucks are not meant to have soft riding suspension. However if you have back issues and want a soft ride I’d probably get something other than 4600’s. I don’t know anything about the kyb shocks but if they are adjustable they may be the way to go for you.

 

I'm have a fair amount of experience driving other trucks, but I don't have my but calibrated yet for the Tacoma. If this is just "normal", replacing them with the same shock won't improve the ride quality.

Is the harsher ride a sign of them being warn?

If they require replacement what is a good option for on road use only?

 

I went with KYB's when I had my frame replaced last March. 160K+ on the truck, so it was due. I was waiting for some 4600 take-offs to turn up, never happened.
They're the 'strut-plus' versions which are mono-tube. They are not adjustable. Rides good & firm, but not choppy. I'm happy with 'em as a DD. The first set I got made the truck sit a little nose high. I believe they were for the 4.0, my mistake. Reordered for the 2.7 and good to go. I missed my return window @RockAuto, so they sit under the bench, don't have 100mi. on 'em.

 

I would highly recommend Bilstein 5100 shocks for performance and ride quality. You might also look into a rear leaf pack replacement along with the shocks if there's any sag from cap weight and age. Welcome to TW.

 

5100 and 4600 are the same shocks. The difference is that 5100’s are designed for lifted trucks and 4600’s are designed for trucks not lifted. I recently wrote the following -
Both are the same technology internally. Both are pressurized with 360 psi of nitrogen. The body size is the same, the piston size is the same. The rod size is the same. The outside looks a little different but that is just cosmetics. 4600’s are designed for stock height trucks, 5100’s are designed for lifted trucks. 4600’s are generally a few bucks cheaper. The stock shocks that come from the factory ARE NOT 4600’s.
I have 4600’s on my truck and spend a lot of time off road on my hunting and fishing adventures. No serious rock crawling or anything like that but some occasional difficult 4wd terrain and the 4600’s serve me well. I also tow a 3500lb boat and again the 4600’s are great.
If you aren’t lifted and don’t plan to be just go with 4600’s.

In this case the 4600/5100 may stiffen the ride more than the OP likes. (I don’t think they will but ride softness/stiffness is very subjective.) Again trucks should not ride too soft because that diminishes what trucks are designed to do. If you don’t haul, tow, or off road and you want a softy ride then why have a truck?

 

Chuck....did you go with the KYB Excels? I put a set on the daughter's Yaris. Ride is comfortably firm and smooth.

If so....how's she feel?

As I close in on 100k miles I going to replace the Taco's. The TireRack carries the Excels as a package at a great price with free shipping too. That's where I got the ones for the Yaris.

 

Anybody else think "Warn is making shocks?"

 

I will have to clean up my spelling! It will take a few more posts, but I appreciate the support.

 

My experience is from driving our 2018 4Runner and a 2003 Ford Ranger. With the new to me 2014 Tacoma I feel every crack on the road. I swear I could tell you if I ran over a quarter.

I'm not looking to ride on a cloud, it just shouldn't feel like a solid frame motorcycle.

I appreciate your insight on the 4600 vs 5100 as well.

 

Have you check your tire pressure?

 

Just got new Continental terrain contact HT. They are all running near 34-36 PSI.

 

Load rating?

 

^^
I’ve found that load rating and tire psi have a huge impact on ride quality, and is what most people feel in terms of soft/stiff plush/harsh suspension.

Ie: my suspension is a bit stiffer than stock, and also at a level where I could mash a curb at 45mph and hardly feel it. BUT, my tires being stiffer E load tires and also an aggressive off-road tread pattern, The truck feels “harsh” over things the suspension isn’t sensitive enough to absorb like road seams or as someone previously said, running over a quarter.
You don’t feel the speed bumps when riding in my truck, but you do feel the cracks in pavement is the best way I can describe it.

I’ve played with temporarily swapping on oem tundra tires at 29psi vs my all-terrains at 33psi, and it’s a very noticeable difference. For the better.

That said, if the oem shocks are worn in terms of mileage or leaks, then replace them.
But I’d definitely try playing with tire psi or doing a chalk test to get the optimal psi for front and rear, it’s free !

 

No Bill, the fronts are the "Strut-Plus" versions, the rears I did myself a year ago Sept. "Plus" versions also. The Excel line is a twin tube design vs the Plus line's monotube. A step up from OEM. I've put about 4K on 'em so far, very content with the ride, response, & handling. You probably already know the difference, but here's a link for explanation:

https://www.strutmasters.com/monotube-vs-twin-tube-shocks/

 

Thanks buddy. I'll do a bit more research on the subject

 

Welcome Bill.

 

Find some 3rd Gen new takeoff leaf springs and rear 4600 shocks ($100-125) and install a 3 leaf progressive add-a-leaf ($125-$200) into the factory pack. Make sure to remove the factory overload leaf in that process if you don’t tow much.

That new setup, not worn/flat from your mileage with a cap, and the new AAL to keep you at stock height with the cap, should be a TON more comfortable.