21 TRD Sport Suspension Mod?

I have been reading several threads about suspension upgrades for my 2021 Trd sport. I tow from 8 to 8.5k regularly, and the truck does fine with the blue bilsteins and trd sway bars, in addition to e tires and 20” wheels (also have WDH & 38g tank). My hitch weight is @800 lbs; goes up with full tank of fuel and gear in the boat. Yes, I know I don’t have the best payload spec, but I am careful to be under 1300 on payload. Problem is weak leaf pack. Truck squats pretty good. Not a fan of airbags. I like the idea of RAS, but not sure if I will need to do additional mods to get the full benefit. Will I need to upgrade the leaf packs? I know the ride will change, but that doesn’t bother me.

appreciate any advice.

 

Bringing this back with an update and a question. I did add RAS spring on the leaf packs. Easy install. I look forward to hooking up the load to see how we do. Next question: should I switch out TRD sport shocks for something softer? Thinking about bilstein 4600s. Maybe I’m overthinking this? I always thought a softer shock was better for towing.

 

I dont think the 4600s will be softer. Keep what you have unless they are leaking or need replacing. You really want all 4 shocks to match, so if you want to swap the rear then also do the coilovers.

RAS is as good as it will get with stock suspension. It works very well. If stock leafs w RAS are not good enough for your need you will need to look into replacing the rear leafs and at that point I would install a new coilovers to match.

See how it tows now, I think you will be ok

 

You’ll probably be better served with 5100s if you are looking for softer ride.

 

Not meant to be argumentative @yakeng, but I have ran both the 4600’s and 5100’s on the same vehicle. They are very stiff, I would not say they were any different than each other.

Any entry level aftermarket shock is going to be stiffer than stock. Nothing is softer than stock OP.

I would choose Eibach (more well rounded valving) hands down over Bilstein, again for entry level performance.

 

You may be right, my 5100s are on my F-150 that’s slightly lifted and 4600 on the Tundra. The 4600 are pretty stiff to me. It’s probably more of a perception thing.

 

From what I have been reading, there is not a lot of difference in stiffness when looking at a shock that is suitable for daily driving and the occasional towing. In other words, since I’m not setting up the truck specifically for off-road, switching the stock set up (red and blue bilsteins with the coil over up front) for a slightly softer shock is not going to have a big impact on better load/ride control when towing. Would you guys agree with that? The other thing is I do really like the ride of the sport. With the sway bars and current shocks, the truck stays planted pretty good for both highway and street duty.

 

If you are happy with it OP then don’t change a thing…

Based on the weight your towing a heavier duty shock (Bilstein 4600) would benefit you while towing. However the minute that truck is unloaded it’s going to ride much firmer (not soft at all like the OEM TRD Offroad shocks).

Some shocks (Eibach Pro Sport) will put you in the middle of those two scenarios.

In short;

firmer damping=better towing

Softer damping=better ride comfort

Realize I am making a lot of generalizations here but I hope it illustrates my point…

Suspension is all about tradeoffs and what you are willing to sacrifice (comfort/performance/
traction).

 

Thanks Oey. If I’m not mistaken the stock setup for the trd pro is the bilstein 4600. If so I won’t swap out until/unless necessary.

 

That’s a very common misconception.

OEM Bilsteins (TRD Offroad not Pro) have different valving than the 4600’s. OEM is significantly softer/comfortable.