I've had two PreRunner TRD Tacoma trucks prior to buying my new 2013 Tundra Crewmax TRD/Rock Warrior and knew what the deal is with this set up. I knew the ride on new Tundra would be stiff and such and I like it for the most part; however, now that I've had time to really drive it day in and day out, it has too much of a bouncy vibration while cruising LA freeways and its wearing me out. It seems a lot worse than my Tacomas did. I know off-road, this set up is superior, but I'm a 90% on-road driver. Yes, I bought a kick-butt off-road equipment truck and for the most part, I do not off-road - yup, I sure did because I love the aggressive styling and handling of the TRDs…but, not this part of it.
I prefer to avoid aftermarket modifications but really want to see if there are any options. Are the leaf springs and/or shocks on non-TRD/RW Tundras the same as mine or different? If they are different, would changing to a set of these leaf springs and shocks help calm down my ride without making it too calm and too soft? Is this even possible?
…follow-up to my post…I just found this Pickups.com article/review of the new 2015 Tundra Pro, which is the replacement for the Rock Warrior. This new Tundra Pro has an advanced factory suspension system that, per the review, really helps the tuck's ride and seems to address the exact issue I'm having with my 2013 TRD/RW.
Does anyone know yet if this new 2015 suspension system can be installed on a 2013?
It will fit the 13' with no problems. But I feel like you will be spending a lot more than if you went with kings, fox, icon or ads coilovers. I know you said you don't want to go aftermarket but I know the freeways your talking about and I have kings 2.5 with remote resi and they do real well on those freeways! I have the TRD model so I know what you meant on the ride of the TRD. On the pro the coil overs are the bilstien with resi, but if you compare those to kings or the other big names bilstien is at the bottom. I drive my truck everyday and I also want to feel a smooth ride and that's why I went with kings!
I may be persuaded to go aftermarket but if I can stay factory I'm okay spending the extra money. It sounds like this new Pro system will raise the font end of my truck up. I like a level appearance but I'd feel better bringing the rear end down vs. bringing the front up.
I just read on another board that simply taking out the overload leaf spring in the back will solve my problem and lower the rear end down and level out the truck and give me a nice ride. Is it really that simple of a solution? I'm not concerned about losing hauling/towing capacity.
Taking the over load out of the leaf pack will only lower the rear the thickness of that spring, about 3/4 of an inch. That isn't enough to level it. It probably won't help much with the ride either as it only comes into play when your suspension is fully compressed. For that smooth ride you are looking for you will probably have to go with a Deaver or Alcan leaf pack. They can custom make something for you also.
Which leaf springs are you referring to? If it's deavers or similar type of spring then yes they will give you a better ride, I think coach builder also makes a set of shackles that won't lift your truck but still help with the ride also. Here is what I would recommend. ..... icon coilovers or custom valved kings 2.5 with resi, deavers leaf springs with cb shackles and icon with piggy back or king 2.5 with resi on the rear. It is true that the non TRD shocks will give a smoother ride but I don't think it would be as controlled as a high end shock. When I'm headed to Hollywood and going by east LA on the 2 or 101 it gets real choppy but the truck handles great!!
Another, cheaper option would be to look for a set of take offs from a 2014-15. One of the changes from the 07-13 trucks was a tweaking of the suspension for a more subtle ride. Often people take these off for lifts and sell them fairly cheap. A set of 14-15 front coils combined with the rear shocks and possibly Coach Builder bushings would net a nice smooth ride.
TRD Pro is not a realistic option since you are not likely to find a TRD Pro owner who will take the suspension out to sell em cheap or even sell 'em at all. That would not make sense. I don't think Toyota will sell you the TRD Pro suspension.
If you are not off-roading at all, the choice becomes easier. Just find some non-TRD coils and shocks and install them. They ride softer. And they are inexpensive to boot.
The problem is that 10 % you are off-roading, do you really want less stiff coils (like non-TRD ones)? What's best for one application may turn out to be the worst in another application. And on top of that, you want to lower your truck? I am not sure what direction you want to go with.
TRD Pro is not a realistic option since you are not likely to find a TRD Pro owner who will take the suspension out to sell em cheap or even sell 'em at all. That would not make sense. I don't think Toyota will sell you the TRD Pro suspension.
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"If you are not off-roading at all, the choice becomes easier. Just find some non-TRD coils and shocks and install them. They ride softer. And they are inexpensive to boot."
Thats the most likely plan I will pursue.
"The problem is that 10 % you are off-roading, do you really want less stiff coils (like non-TRD ones)? What's best for one application may turn out to be the worst in another application. And on top of that, you want to lower your truck? I am not sure what direction you want to go with."
I understand, that might end up being a residual problem as well, which is why I'm exploring all options. I don't want to lower or raise the truck, its just that some of the options I'm looking at will cause a slight raise or lowering of either the front and or the back end to make the truck's stance look more level. I don't care about how the stance looks now, but I was just mentioning it.
The TSB that is discussed in the articles and threads I just posted seems to be the true fix for my situation and it come from the Factory; however, Toyota has limited the TSB to 07-10 models, which is BS since 07-13s are the same truck style. My dealer just told me today they will NOT honor that TSB on my truck or attempt to install the fix since the TSB does not mention 13s. I've submitted a ticket with Toyota requesting help in getting this fixed…I don't expect much from them but i have to start documenting it. The truck is brand new and under full warranty. When I first made this post, I thought it was just a preference issue but come to find out its an actual documented issue with a factory fix…just not for my year truck.
Where in this TSB do you see it say Anything about 11-13? They are the same truck but could have switch on the line and install upgraded mount. The dealer is not going to do the tsb because they will not get paid from Toyota unless they can get a rep from toyota to sign off on it.
It does not not say anything about 11-13. I was just saying that since they are the same trucks, it would be nice if Toyota would offer me the same fix. I got a response from Toyota and they gave me the run around and suggested I work with my local dealer to come up with a fix, but did not offer me this TSB fix, nor did they say the 11-13 trucks had already received any fixes for this problem.
They need to add a brace in the rear part of the frame.Fing heavy duty brace.Mine only does it enouph that I half to keep realigning my snug lid.But then all that weight actually helps.But body mounts softer springs.The problem is the frame its has to much flex and needs bracing and some gussets in key areas.Its annoying to see my bed bouncing all over every time I look out my rerveiw.After I bought the truck and noticed it I actually went threw all the bed mounts because I thought they were loose.What ever fixes there posting are just bandaids and not fixing the problem.
Thanks, Broncrom. None the less, wouldn't stand to reason that the factory kit being used to fix or at least calm down the problem under the original TSB still work on a 13? I personally don't believe they ever made any changes to the 11-13s the solve the problem.
I'm back and still have not put on any new suspension. I'm not concerned about the TSB or other issues at this point and I'm set on wanting the TRD Pro Suspension kit...However, no Toyota Dealer will install them on my 2013 because the TRD Pro Suspension specs (per the parts dept) say they are only compatible back to 2014 Tundras.
Does anyone know of a legitimate reason as to why the Pro's will not work on a 2013 Tundra without any unauthorized modifications to the truck?
Nope, they'll work just fine on all 2007+ Tundras.
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