Trade up or fix taco lean?

Doublecab Prerunner capacity is 1400 total.
That includes passengers and all cargo.

 

Oh man. Glad I've not broken my baby worse than she is now. I know I've done 2000+ several times.

 

Sorry I dot like bags

 

I did 1500 in my 1st Gen Tundra a couple of times and it was on the stops.

 

They really are a good way to go for occasional overloading.
They're normally passive, so you don't get a stiff 3/4-ton ride when lightly loaded, but when the suspension compresses, they act as overload springs.

 

To each his own, but air bags can handle a lot more weight than new leaf packs.

 

Dudes I'll admit I knew nothing about air bags, other than coolio being in one looking all ghetto pimping rides and such. I just did some research on said Firestone air bag system. Looks pretty sweet, which is making my decision doubly difficult. Can I do both, bags and leaf pack without over modifying? Geez I got some learnin up to do.

 

Yes, that's pickup truck air bags for load-carrying, not the ghetto ones for a lowrider Escalade. You could install new leaf packs AND the Firestone ride-rite air bags, but that would be overkill.

Virtually all of the aftermarket leaf packs are designed to raise ride height and increase suspension travel over stock. They usually require longer shock absorbers as well. More stability under load is another benefit, but the main purpose is lift.

You said you wanted your truck to stay level. If you put in aftermarket leaf springs, you would also have to do a front suspension lift to keep it level. If you installed the Firestone air bags ONLY, you would be able to level the truck front to back AND side to side no matter the load, because they are so easily adjustable. Most people don't need to adjust the pressure in the air bags that often and just use a bike pump instead of a fancy on-board air system.

The other advantage of air bags is you leave your existing leaf springs in place without having to dissasemble the entire rear suspension. Even if they're old and saggy, they'll still work fine because the air bags will be carrying the load. The air bags are a bolt in kit, so all you have to do is drop the spare tire out of the way, put the rear axle on jack stands and pull the back tires off. You only need to be somewhat mechanically inclined to install the kit yourself in your driveway.

Based on the description of the problem you're having with your truck, it seems like an air bag kit is the best, the least expensive, and the easiest to install solution. The Tacoma leaf springs are pretty wimpy. I'm planning on getting this exact air bag kit for my truck because all it takes is two dogs and a little bit of camping gear in the back and my rear suspension bottoms out like a bastard. I love the shit outta my Tacoma, but they definitely have a few weaknesses. Good thing there is a huge aftermarket for our trucks.

 

I'd say keep it with that kind of mileage especially. Save the leafs, you're talking routine maintainence stuff here so far.

I follow the rule of 5 on my vehicles. If I sign up to pay on it for 5 years, I have to see myself keeping it 5 more years after. I violated that on my 06 Colorado and traded it less than 6 months after I owned it for the Tacoma. That said, the Colorado at 78K needed almost a whole new engine and was dismissed as "normal" by GM. While I don't generally believe that if one thing goes everything else is going to, I also don't believe that this is normal either.

Think of this too..I know the value of your ride right now is one of your arguments, but it will continue to hold that value for a long time more or less. You've gotten out of the years in which depreciation happens the most. Plus at the rate you put on mileage you may get 10 more years easily out of it.

 

Definately good advice you guys, much appreciated. Adding a few more pics of the lean and the leafs...



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Still good clearance...

 

But leans like a bitch...


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I'm not trying to be mean but if you canr afford to do really minor repairs or maintenance without dipping into your retirement then you certainly don't need to be getting a new truck.

Rear dif fluid $15
Spark plugs $20
Tires $600/1000
Rear leafs $400

There are a lot of DIY threafs here. Also a lot of people take off new leafs and nearly give them away on here also, same as tires.

 

Even new ones lean.

 

Hey OP where are you located? I have a set of Yokohama Geolandars that'll fit your truck. The tread on them is like new, and no dry rot or punctures. Let me know if you're interested. It'll save you some $$

 

If you're wanting to stay basically stock height, or even up to an inch, don't even bother with a leaf pack, spend $300 and get the bags. DJB1 nailed this one on the head; these are for ride quality, not for pimping your ride.

And please stop saying that you need to "fix" your truck because it needs a little routine maintenance!

 

Yessir mr Brett Bretterson. Real name? Neat! I've come to a realization that she needs to be maintained. Just trying to find a good game plan and get some sound advise from peeps that have been through this. I don't claim to know all, that's why I am here.

Georgetown, Delaware... You?



Starting to see some deals on here from fellow taco owners. Going on vacation to Bahamas and key west next week. Driving down to Miami first. Going to see if I can locate some good deals off i95.


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PM's sent.

 

Ok I have a 06 corolla, im looked to trade and get a new 14 TRD-S. Part of me sees that this car is almost paid off and would be nice, but the other part has the truck bug and knows this car has 190,000 miles on it.

 

If you can afford the payments I'd get the sport trd. I would however wait until you've paid off the car, and do not trade it in. Keep it as a back up to put your mileage on. My wife went 4 years without a car payment and her credit score went down 150pts. Sometimes I think it's a good idea to finance and keep your credit going strong.

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