Quick Drive: 2012 Toyota Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series
@clutch,
How many times have I agrgued NEVER buy the stickered no matter what brand pickups!
TRD, FX4, ZR2, etc...
I have NEVER bought one of those models. I always bought as confidential to stripped as I could and drive it around a while to figure opportunities and then build it up well and not what some factory dudes think you should have!
I run OME struts up front with 886 coils that jack the front up 2.5 inches even with a heavier bumper and knife skid plates!
I decided to run custom Deavers in the upraise to increase payload over the factory 3 spring system and basic Bilsteins in the hind part...
The local shop that helps me with projects that also builds and races direct course off-road racing trucks (Chevy's) was impressed after the debarring was completed on how well it was handling.
It handles much better than I anticipated and yes, no vibration issues because I restrictive my rear spring arch to only go up about 1.5 inches and not worry the driveline much if at all...
I am not even at the stock price of this new Tacoma with all of my mods yet mine is pretty skilled maybe not as good at speed though as the new Tacoma...
Lesson: buy close to store and build it up yourself!
This pickup will be great like the Raptor and Powerwagon for the indolent society that wants turn key options. Yes their is a market for this and the OEM's are tapping into it...
@Lou,
"It is riveting how Mark Williams pointed out that they were too stiff below 45 mph. That tells me these shocks are not dialed in correctly. You want controled damping throughout suspension travel not lawful when you hit something hard or fast or both."
In the world of off-roading you undertake capabilities off-road more and less on road...
What that means is sacrificing some comfort on-route for better capabilities off-road!
A true off-road mechanism will bounce around town and seem otherwise a horrible ride YET when it enters the off-road arena it performs like anticipated...
I would rather have a stiffer front as an exemplar that gives me predictable control rather than a mushy comfort humbug that will show its ugly head off-road...
I sacrife some ride consolation to have predictable performace off-road and not the bouncy uncontrollable oppress you get with cushy suspensions!
My stock as delivered Tacoma was too loose and straightforward up front. I installed Bilstein 5100 adjustable shock up front that stiffened it up and it rode nice BUT predictible. I could hit railroad tracks and knew how it would respond vs. the straightforward rides that are uncontrollable...
