2003 Vs Earlier Black Shocks

[CYCLONE 123]

For months I've been saying that the ride of my 2003 2WD Tundra was very stiff and just about everybody could not understand how that could be. Probably the ones that couldn't understand this were driving earlier Tundras (2000 or 2001).

I decided to do an experiment. I got a set of rear shocks from SATundra (the original black Arvins) and compared them to mine. There's a pretty big difference between the two. The compression stroke is stiffer on the 2003 and the rebound is big time stiffer on the 2003.

I installed the Arvins on my truck and went for a drive. Small bumps and expansion cracks that would have been very annoying are now almost non existant. I'm now considering putting older shocks on the front end. I know that some complain about the stock shocks being too soft but so far it feels much better, although I still have the 2003 shocks on the front. Maybe if I change those I will also feel that the truck is too soft. I do mostly freeway driving, don't do any heavy hauling, and don't do any offroading, so the smoother the ride the better for me.

I thought this might shed some light for anyone with a 2003 that thinks their Tundra rides too stiff.

[v8Toilet]

Interesting! I wonder if other 2003 Tundra’s are the same or if you got either the wrong shocks from the factory or defective shocks.

[SATundra]

I am gonna ship you my old (black) front shocks so you can compare those as well. Glad to hear the rear shocks worked for you.

[CYCLONE 123]

The rear shocks on the 2003 are different. If my stock shocks are defective they would both have to be defective because they feel the same when moving by hand. Also I drove another 2003 2WD and it was just like mine.

The numbers on the 2003 shocks are 48531-A-070 and are made by KYB. The numbers on the 2001 shocks are 48531-AF-010 and are made by ARVIN.

Once again, thanks to SATundra for helping me out.

[brews1]

I have a 2003 V8, SR5 with TRD Offroad suspension that just turned 3000 miles and I have the opposite complaint. The front end of the truck feels light to me, wanders on the highway and bounces quite a bit over bumps. I am bringing it in for the first service tomorrow and will ask them to check the alignment and the front shocks. I expect them to tell me everything is OK but was wondering if the Tundra just has a light front end or not and if other Tundras feel the same way.

[dyogim]

Originally posted by CYCLONE 123
The rear shocks on the 2003 are different. If my stock shocks are defective they would both have to be defective because they feel the same when moving by hand. Also I drove another 2003 2WD and it was just like mine.

The numbers on the 2003 shocks are 48531-A-070 and are made by KYB. The numbers on the 2001 shocks are 48531-AF-010 and are made by ARVIN.

Once again, thanks to SATundra for helping me out.

Are you planning on getting rid of your stock rear shocks? If so, I'll take them. I have some front shocks that I can send also.

Mike

[CYCLONE 123]

My complaint is that when the truck hits a bump, instead of absorbing the impact it just bounces over it. Now when you get a series of bumps in a row, you bounce over every one, feeling every one. If you get a stretch of road that is not so great, the experience of driving is also not so great.

I've always wondered what Toyotas theory was when it came to the offroad package. At first I thought that automaticly they would stiffen up the suspension. But the more I thought of it, wouldn't you want your vehicle's suspension to be more compliant to the rougher terrain? I would think stiffer suspension would be better for handling and carrying weight while a softer, longer travel suspension would be better for offroading. I really don't know the difference between regular suspension and TRD suspension-------just some thoughts.

[CYCLONE 123]

Hi Ryan,

Yeh I'm still working on this suspension thing. I'm on the right track now. The back of my truck feels much like your truck did. The ride is similar also. The front shocks are on their way, so we'll see what happens. It's already made a big difference.

Talk to ya later---------TOM