Rear Leaf spring TSB advice

Hey guys. I bought my Tacoma TRD off-road almost two months ago. I learned of the Leaf spring TSB AFTER I purchased my truck of course. I didnt think it would be an issue, but it has become one. My truck bottoms out way too easily. With 4 people in the truck (including myself) it will bottom out on some bumps. I took a couple friends off roading one night and it bottomed out a few times. It was not fun. Its ridiculous that a truck with an OFF ROAD decal on it would ever bottom out with just a few people in it.

I want the TSB taken care of, however my tuck no longer has a warranty. The only warranty I have is a limited powertrain warranty until 100,000 miles. However.... the dealership that I bought the truck from, will take care of it for me.

The problem you ask? This dealership is over 3 hours away from me in Maryland. I am in Atlantic City. I really dont want to drive there again, but my truck needs help.

So I want to hear your guys' opinions. Spend an entire day driving and possibly waiting in MAryland while its done? Pay to have it done at a dealer near me? Or maybe try to find the springs cheap, and do it myself?

 

Get an AAL or a replacement leaf pack. Better results without a hassle of the drive....You'll pay WAY more for the TSB leaves if you do it yourself.

 

Hey if they are willing to do the work take the drive and get a brand new set of leafs!

 

Whats a good AAL kit? I dont want to raise the truck. Im not interested in a lift... yet. I found a Skyjacker AAL kit, but it says it will raise the truck 2".

 

Do you guys think this kit will raise my truck more without the TSB springs? or less? Think this would be a good buy?

 

The TSB spring pack raises the back end of your truck.

 

I knew this, but i figured it wasnt very noticeable. maybe like an inch or less after settling?

 

AAL may be your only option. I have a 2.75" spacer lift in front, and had blocks in back. I remember the days when my Taco would hit bottom. I had my factory springs replaced at 30k...12k later they would still bottom out.

Got the ARB Old Man Emu Drakkar 7 pack with 2.75 lift and now I have a new truck...Love em! I could haul an elephant in this truck and not notice it.

Don't know if they make a kit w/o lift though?

Good luck

URE is close

 

If you don't want lift and don't want sissy ass oem 3 leaf bottoming out crap either then why not just get Timbrens or just an overload leaf that doesn't lift but would help firm up ride?

 

Any more opinions? Im starting to think I will be driving to Maryland.

 

Time=money. Drive to Maryland, do it yourself, it's probably all a wash (except for your own effort). You could buy an upgrade and spend a day installing them, or spend a day sipping coffee in Maryland for the cost of gas and letting the dealer do it.

You could add a set of air springs to level out heavier loads, but that likely won't help when you're tossing people in (more for traveling loaded or something). The ride is harsher with the spring update, so the air springs would help there as well.

 

Exactly my thoughts, but at least i'd get a new Toyota part installed by a tech if i went to my dealer. And i guess im starting to think about how id be spening money on a replacement part on my new-to-me truck. I just bought this damn thing and it has a problem. It might make me feel better to have a dealer fix the problem free of charge even if i am using a whole tank of gas and paying a few tolls.

I have been reading that the ride with the updated springs isnt really noticeably harsher. Perhaps some have noticed more than others?

 

If your dealership is going to take care of you after the fact the truck has passed the 3yr/36k warranty, ask if you can keep the 3 leaf springs pack after they update your truck to the new 4 leaf springs. If the ride is harsh you could switch back to the other leaf springs.

 

bumpity bump

 

Try shore toyota.

 

Have you tried the local dealers to see if they will do it free to you? How about dealers less than 3 hrs? I'd start calling all of them starting with the closest, maybe you;ll get lucky closer. Good luck, also, ride feels better to me after having it done, but it's all in what you like. I like the solid feel

 

I have the OME Dakkars...along with the heavy kit. Love it.

 

yes

do it.

 

Do it, if you ever wanna use it as a truck. Here's my truck with about a 450lb+ engine in the back plus the car hooked up.

 

So i just got a call from my dealer (Koons Toyota). They now say the will most likely NOT be able to do it. The service manager says they do not know about any issue with the rear springs of the tacoma. they say i would have to bring my truck in for them to diagnose, and then order parts. Im absolutely not driving more than once. Is this a common issue? Have other people had a hard time with dealers not wanting to do the work? This is very frustrating.