99 Tacoma 2wd suspension help...

Hey all. Looking for advice to improve the suspension on my retired gardening truck (not really), now used as an everyday commuter and for hauling dirt bikes. I just ordered a set of Bilstein HD shocks for starters, but I hear rumors that the stock rear leafs are crap. True? They seem ok, I guess. I tend to drive at pretty high speeds on dirt roads with a full load, and they aren't bottoming or anything. I bought it used and it came with a sway bar still in the box. Worth installing?

This Taco only has 106,000 miles on it. Should I think about replacing front end bushings? Anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I absolutely love this stupid little truck, and I can't quite figure out why!!!

 

Its all subjective I guess, I personally think the rear leaf springs are pretty shitty, but if your a little heavy on the gas any upgrade in suspension will be worth it, & the answer to your wondering why you love your truck is simple: You beat the hell out of it & it doesn't complain.... happy trails

 

Is it a 5 lugger? Springs mounted under the rear axle or on top of the axle?

 

5 lug. Not sure about where the springs are mounted, but I'll take a look in a little bit. Pretty sure everything is bone stock.

 

Most of the rear spring problems you read about on here apply to the 6 luugers with their spring over applications. I can't offer much advice for 5 luggers. Had one once, a long time ago ('93). Never had any issues with it but then, it didn't have very many miles on it.

 

Great. Thanks. The leafs don't seem to be broke.... so I won't fix them.

 

I have a 5 lug with 80k. My springs are still in great shape. They don't have a lot of arch in them unloaded but that's just how they are... I pull around my mowing trailer every day and it doesn't even level the truck out. I'd say you're fine with just doing shocks, but watch out when ordering suspension stuff. You'll find that virtually nothing fits 5 lug trucks...