Is the lift kit a smoother ride ?

Toyota lift - is it a smother ride then the stock platinum suspension?

I drove the trd pro and its not worth the perks that ill loose and the extra $$$ I would need for the trade in change but im willing to put in the lift kit .

Any thoughts?

 

Just an FYI, the TRD Pro and the TRD lift kit are not going to be the same. Different components, so they aren't likely to be comparable.

Here is what's in the TRD Lift. https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-tundra-reaches-new-heights-with-trd-3-inch-lift-kit/

It's a 3 inch lift and level. You're going to take a solid hit to the MPGs if you put it in. In that link it also states the warranty for the lift, so be sure you can live with both. For clarification, when you say "smoother" what do you mean? Do you mean handling bumps better (softer) or do you mean less body roll in corners (stiffer), or do you mean something else?

 

Smoother over bumps is what I'm after . Im not off roading but do go hunting . We use ATV's all the time and the roads aren't great getting to various locals but we're not driving our trucks on unreasonable roads otherwise. I would say that 90% of the time I am loading building materials for work and everyday tasks .

It's definitely a smoother ride on the trd pro for sure.

 

Ok, so an off road set up will handle the bumps the best. It's generally softer so it soaks up the rough stuff better. The trade off is that because it is softer it has more body roll in corners, and you will get more sag when hauling or towing. That's the general rule, but with the new multilink in the rear, I'm not sure how hard it applies to the new Tundras. It may be more of an impact to the towing/hauling or less. I don't know enough about the multilink to say.

If you are only after making it smoother over the bumps, you can get aftermarket for the price of that TRD lift, without lifting the truck, and get a smoother ride without changing the aerodynamics as much. This will hurt less at the pump, and probably be less expensive as well. It won't be warrantied by Toyota, though.

If 90% of the time you are hauling, you really don't want to level the truck. The rake helps with the manners of the truck while loaded, so I would not do the TRD kit for that reason alone. Just my opinion, for whatever that's worth.

 

Thanks G - appreciate the valued insight .

 

HA! Insight. I just run my mouth.

 

Lol

 

I bought my platinum last November without the lift, drove it for about a month then had the TRD lift installed by a dealer. If you are only worried about a plush ride and comfort then just keep the factory platinum suspension. The stock suspension was smoother and softer on the road but I never had a chance to hit a dirt road with it. If you need or want more clearance or just want a lift then the TRD kit is perfect. After the lift the suspension still feels great like any other toyota with bilsteins, but it is a tad stiffer. Not uncomfortable stiff like a front preload collar or an old school 6" rancho/super lift but a little stiffer as in suspension that's meant for offroad. If you don't need the clearance of a lift, I would suggest starting with new wheels and tires (which you'd likely want after a lift anyway) and go to some 18" wheels with maybe 34-35" tires. The bigger sidewall of an 18 vs 20 will add a little clearance and more cushion of the rubber, depending on tire selection.

I personally just felt like I had to put the lift on since I have the crewmax with 6.5 bed. It looked so long and low without it. So I did it mainly for looks but got the benefit of some clearance and being approved by Toyota with all the electronics.

 

Common error, but offroad suspensions are not stiffer. Stiff suspensions are for handling on road. Something like a BMW or WRX that are corner carvers will have stiff suspensions to prevent body roll. They do not squish for bumps and would make it a rough ride over off road obstacles. They are softer so they are more able to flow over the terrain. What stiffened yours was likely the block lift in the rear that is used on the TRD kit.

Also, 18" vs 20" wheels has nothing to do with adding clearance. A 35" tire on 20s will have the same clearance as a 35" tire on 18s. The added ground clearance comes from the total radius from the axle to the edge of the tire. The wheel has zero impact.

 

Just telling my experience that the trd lift feels stiffer and not as plush as my oem plat suspension was, not in a bad way but noticeable.

For the wheels yes I understand that. I meant going up in tire size can add a little clearance if needed but again from my experience the 18s have more sidewall rubber and feel a little softer than 20s, depending on the tire.

 

I don't dispute your experience with the lift. I believe you when you say it is stiffer. I was just clarifying that it's not stiffer because it's meant for off road. Same for the wheel size/sidewall. You are correct, the 18s will offer more sidewall and offer more cushion than a 20 if the tires are the same size and compounds. That's not wat your post said, though, so I was just making sure that part was clear.

All that aside, how big of a hit to the fuel economy was it with that lift and larger tires?

 

I haven't changed wheels/tires yet, still have stockers, but I would say it went from 19-20 to 16-17. Lately with the winter my wife remote starts it every morning for at least 10 mins and its been 15.5. I did however get 18.5 on my 2 hr drive home immediately after the lift and going up about 2k ft elevation. I don't worry about mileage with trucks but I have been impressed, especially if I can get the same or better with a lifted tundra than my stock tacoma which got 16 avg.

 

Oof, yeah, the warm up idles trash the economy. Some days it's so bloody cold you have to do it though! What year was your Taco? I'm doing much better than 16, but I also generally only use corn free fuel.

 

A couple points from a non-expert (YMMV):

- Regardless of how it’s done, unless you’re moving to an extended length shock, any lift regardless of type will decrease down travel in an IFS truck. This translates to harshness on certain road surface irregularities and the perception of a “stiffer” ride.
- Not all aftermarket suspensions tuned for off-reading feel “soft.” Some manufacturers use digressive valving which can feel quite harsh at lower speeds but really shines in keeping the vehicle flat in turns. The Bilstein packages found on early TRD Pro 4Runners and Tacomas were tuned in this manner.
- Of all the options suggested, moving to a smaller wheel and larger sidewall tire is the simplest and likely most effective in achieving off road comfort while maintaining the ability to carry loads without inducing excess sag.
- Comfort on hunting trips would increase even more if OP chooses an AT tire with a sidewall flexible enough to deform when aired down, and picks up a portable air compressor to air back up after the hunting party has returned to pavement.

 

Had a 2020 Taco DCLB, stock with half size up tires and always got 16, maybe 17 on a trip. I just needed more truck and I'm happy if I can match the mpg.

 

Who knows I suppose, but glad you're enjoying the new rig!

 

I will say the King 3.0ibp suspension is way smoother than the OE platinum suspension in every possible situation… best mod yet by FAR!