The 4th Gen Tacoma brings a significant suspension upgrade, dropping the old rear leaf springs for a coil-spring, multi-link setup that rides smoother, flexes better, and keeps the axle in check. Up front, Toyota retuned the suspension to work with the new rear setup and extra weight, so it feels more balanced overall.
However, there’s always room for improvement. Peak Suspension offers hand-built, precision-machined, vehicle-specific systems, and their 2.5” DSC coilovers and shocks sit well above basic lift kits, providing premium control and adjustability without going full race-spec. This setup is ideal for Tacoma owners, as it maximizes the 4th Gen Tacoma’s potential, handling heavier loads and rough terrain without sacrificing on-road comfort.
Table Of Contents
2.5 DSC Trek Kit Overview
The Trek Kit is a complete, bolt-on upgrade with vehicle-specific valving, engineered for optimal off-road performance on the 4th Gen Tacoma.
- Front suspension: 2.5” diameter coilovers with external reservoirs
- Rear suspension: 2.5” diameter shocks with external reservoirs
- Adjustable ride height up to 2.5 inches
- Precision-machined billet aluminum, which helps with heat dissipation and anti-corrosion
- High and low-speed compression tuning, allowing precise fine-tuning
- Comes with tubular UCAs
- Compatible with all models 2024+ Toyota Tacoma
In addition to the Trek Kit, my Tacoma runs Peak billet trailing arms, Eibach 1” Pro-Lift rear springs with a 1” Peak rear spacer, Dr. KDSS track-bar correction, and 17×9 wheels with a -15mm offset, wrapped in 35×12.5 tires.
Peak’s 2.5 DSC coilovers and shocks significantly improve the 4th Gen Tacoma’s ride and handling. The larger shock body delivers better heat dissipation and consistent damping, while adjustable spring rates, preload, and ride height allow tuning from a leveled stance up to 3” of lift.
In the rear, 2.5 shocks paired with the coil-spring multi-link suspension deliver balanced comfort, improved stability under load, reduced heat fade, and enhanced on- and off-road capability.
Installation Overview
Installing the Peak Trek Kit on a 4th Gen Tacoma is a straightforward bolt-on process with no major modifications required. An experienced DIYer can complete the install in about 4-6 hours, followed by an alignment.
I started with the rear shocks since they were an easy swap. The reservoir mounts are really well designed and solid, definitely secure. Up front, the biggest headache was getting the long upper control arm bolt out. Instead of following the directions, I shaved a flat spot on the washer to clear the interference, and it worked way better, in my opinion. Once the new tube UCA was placed, the front coilovers slid right in and bolted to the factory location with no issues. After buttoning everything up, I wrapped it all up with an alignment.
The kit is designed to work with stock wheels and tires (for those who keep them), but larger tires may need minor trimming. To clear my 35s, I trimmed the rear of the front fender and removed some brackets, mudflaps, etc. Additional front trimming is likely, though I already had a high-clearance bumper installed.
Overall, there were a few minor challenges, but the Trek Kit was straightforward to install with clear instructions.
On-Road Ride Quality
Initial impressions after installation were immediately positive. The front end felt noticeably improved right away, while the rear required some adjustment using the DSC clickers. Out of the box, the rear felt slightly harsh, but some fine-tuning made a big difference.
Upgrading the rear coil spring and adding the Dr. KDSS track bar correction bracket further improved stability and smoothed rear-end behavior.
The suspension soaks up small bumps effortlessly, handling road imperfections without feeling floaty or unsettled, but it can feel firmer or harsh at times. On the highway, the truck feels planted and smooth at speed. Body roll and brake dive remain well controlled with no negative changes compared to stock. Overall, the improvement over the stock suspension is substantial, especially up front, which previously bottomed out frequently.
Off-Road Performance
Off-road performance is what the Trek Kit was made for. On washboard roads, the suspension performs exceptionally well, with higher speeds helping to smooth out bumps. On rocky trails, it excels at slower speeds, absorbing obstacles while remaining controlled and predictable.
The Trek Kit truly shines at high speed in dirt and desert whoops, keeping the truck stable and controlled. For the best performance, ensure all your gear is secured and evenly distributed. Articulation and control are impressive even with the sway bar installed. The suspension cycles smoothly, and the rear maintains traction well, though the rear tires do touch the fender flares at full articulation with my wheel setup. Heat fade has also not been an issue. After about four hours in the Pismo dunes, the ride remained consistent with no noticeable loss of performance.
Overall, the suspension feels highly predictable off-road, allowing you to drive confidently across a wide range of terrain.
Loaded Up & Trucking
With added weight, the Trek Kit performs exceptionally well. Up front on my Tacoma, it handles a steel bumper, winch, and LED lights without issue, maintaining proper ride height and control. In the rear, I upgraded the coil springs to account for additional weight from a spare tire, tools, and gear, which made a noticeable difference in overall balance.
Rear shock control when the truck is loaded is excellent, keeping it stable without feeling harsh or overwhelmed. DSC tuners are particularly useful here, enabling fine adjustments to optimize performance under varying loads. Anyone running overland gear that lives on the truck full-time should consider different spring rates to match their setup. In my case, I only carry a spare in the bed full-time, so a mild spring upgrade was sufficient.
This setup works equally well for overland travel and more aggressive trail use, offering a good balance between comfort, control, and durability.
2.5” Vs 2.0” Shocks On 4th Gen Tacoma
Daily driving is a significant improvement over typical 2.0 setups, and off-road, there’s simply no comparison. The 2.5 shocks offer better control, smoother damping, and far superior performance when the terrain gets rough. Heat management is another big win; the larger shock body with remote reservoir handles repeated cycles without fading, even during long, hard runs.
From a cost-versus-performance standpoint, the Trek Kit offers strong value. It includes Peak’s tubular upper control arms, is competitively priced with other shock-only kits, and is readily in stock. If you never take your truck off-road, a 2.5 setup may be overkill. But for drivers looking to push their Tacoma beyond mild trails and into more aggressive use, the upgrade is absolutely worth it.
Long Haul & Maintenance
The coilovers and shocks are fully rebuildable and re-valvable, significantly extending their lifespan compared to non-serviceable alternatives. Rather than replacing the entire shock, routine servicing involves replacing only the seals, oil, and other wear components as needed. Most ongoing maintenance is focused on the tubular upper control arms and uniball joints, both of which have readily available replacement parts.
Typical service intervals range from 20,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on driving conditions and use. With a mix of on- and off-road driving, a realistic service life of around five years can be expected.
A limited lifetime warranty backs all Peak-manufactured products, and with proper maintenance, the coilovers and shocks are designed to last the life of the vehicle.
Who Should Run This Kit
This setup is ideal for 4th Gen Tacoma builds that see regular off-road use, including overland rigs and trucks driven hard on trails, dirt roads, and desert terrain. It suits drivers who value control, durability, and performance.
Budget-wise, it makes the most sense for owners willing to invest upfront in a suspension that can be serviced long-term rather than replaced. Those looking for a simple, daily-driver setup or who rarely leave pavement may be better served by a 2.0, or leave it stock. You could also keep it simple and run the Peak 2-Piece Trail Kit, which while not ideal, you can get away with your factory UCAs.
Final Thoughts
The Peak 2.5 DSC Coilovers deliver adjustability, durability, and control for the 4th Gen Tacoma. Perfect for off-road trails or daily driving, they balance performance and comfort like few others.
Pros
- Adjustable damping for daily driving and rough terrain
- Remote reservoirs reduce heat fade for consistent performance
- Tacoma-specific valving for precise handling
- Includes upper control arms for better geometry
- Balanced on and off-road performance
- Easy bolt-on installation
- Fully rebuildable with good parts availability
Cons
- Overkill for trucks that stay on pavement
- Requires periodic maintenance and may develop noise if neglected
- Higher cost than basic lift kits
- Takes time to dial in adjustments
- Professional alignment recommended
- Can feel firmer than stock on small bumps
What are your thoughts on this kit? Would the less expensive 2.0 kit meet your needs? Let us know below!
