Added TRD suspension bits. Makes a difference

I added some very low mile TRD Sport struts and shocks purchased from a member. It really makes a difference. I'm liking the crisp turn in and response.

 

Nice

 

Very nice

 

How difficult was the install?

 

I took it to my mechanic buddy and he did all 4 corners for $200. I gave him $300 because times are tough. I believe you need a ball joint separator to drop the control arm low enough. The truck was there for 2 hours but I don't know how much of that time he used to do the swap.

 

I typically do this stuff myself but am a first responder and have been working 16-hour shifts so I needed to rest while helping my buddy with a few bucks. Hopefully I'll be back to doing my own work in a few months.

 

How is it with the bilstein shocks compared to the oem blacks?

 

I've had very little time on them and no freeway use. So far: Stiffer ride, crisper turn in. I'll update the thread when I find the time to test the setup aggressively.

 

That’s interesting...I bet what you feel are the sway bars. I have the pro sway bars on my ‘14 limited and they made the handling and steering better.

 

Very nice!

I kinda have to have the TRD packages in my pickups....I find those with out feel too much like an overgrown car with a bed. TRD feels like I'm driving a pickup. In my opinion you should definitely enjoy the upgrade.

 

@Crunch527 I had the sways installed by the dealer when I purchased the truck. What I am describing is the response difference of the shocks and springs themselves. The Sport struts have a stiffer spring and different valving on the shock itself which seems to have a harder compression setting. This makes a huge contribution to crisper turn in. The anti-sway bar will prevent the truck from leaning as much, that boat in the water feeling. The truck is big and very heavy so adding spring weight and a shock compression gives you better corner balance when turning and contributes much more to the planting of the tires. The anti-sway bars definitely help and the parts together makes for a much better package than any one of them alone. TRD tuned them to work together and it shows.

 

If you are looking for better street performance spring for the TRD Sport shocks and struts. You won't be sorry.

 

Ok right...I was thinking you added TRD Pro struts. Good deal. I have a 14 Limited with the TRD Off Road Bilsteins. Wonder what the difference is between the TRD Sport and the TRD Off Road setups.

 

I was wondering if the Sport suspension was different, the SR5's & Limited's a test drove felt sloppy compared to my Sport. I'm sure sway bars were a big portion, but even my wife says this truck handles like a big sports car.

Glad you like the upgrade!

 

Thanks @CO_Native

I'm a Wolf Pup man myself. A fantastic trailer.

 

That's a more than fair price. My mechanic wanted $300 just to do the front. I'm doing the TRD sway bars and billetin swap myself this weekend.

 

$200 very honest, thats what my mechanic charged front two shock swap and compress spring.

 

koozy,
Can you tell me what suspension you had prior , what body style your truck is and if it is 4x2 or 4x4.
I have a 2016 double cab limited TRD with the yellow/blue bilsteins , and was considering the red/blue bilsteins as well and am looking to tighten up suspension and get rid of the cadillac feel.

Also did these red/blues come loaded with their coil springs?
Did they come off a truck similar to yours (in weight) reason I ask I read the different trucks had different coils because of the weight differences between 4x 2 and 4x4 , double cab and crew cab.
Do you recall what the markings were on the coils, what color paint dots?

thanks

 

To answer your questions in the order they are asked:

Stock
Double Cab
4X2
Yes
Yes
I don't remember the color codes on the springs but remember them being driver or passenger side specific based on color code and I didn't look for other markings since they came from a truck similar to mine except for the fact that the other was a TRD SPORT.

 

Come to think of it, his was a CM. I have my doubts the spring rate would be different but if they are slightly stiffer it would be a benefit nonetheless.