Increasing Payload 2011 Tacoma

OP: This is what I've gathered so far as options to replace TSB springs. Both hopefully heavier duty than OEM, but without providing additional lift. I don't currently have either one of these, just figured I post more possible options to consider.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheelers-off-road/266894-wheelers-05-hd-replacement-pack.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/product-reviews/266183-generalspringkc-com-hd-leaf-springs.html

 

What maint. issues are you talking about off-rodain with bags, I've had mine for over two years, been off-road, took it up black diamond runs, blasted sand dunes with em? What are you talking about? Bags friggin save everything, driven massive loads like 2700 lbs yesterday, then I'd deflate them and go off roading. Have not one single problem with these bags at all.

 

I'm a happy user of RideRites also. I think they are a very good answer to the saggy Tacoma rear springs. The system holds air pressure, the only adjusting I've done is to air down after hauling or air up to carry. Some use bicycle pumps to air up, I use a small cheapo compressor and installed power next to the schrader valves in the left rear bed compartment.

 

Part of that weight is also supported by the front axle. There was a post a few weeks ago showing a trashed axle on a half ton.

 

you can build your own cheap, I have done twice on other trucks. go to junk yard and find the same width leaf springs and get progressively shorter and place springs between bottom overload and the factory. I have used springs off of broncos and full size blazers, usually more leafs with out and fat overload spring. have taken factory springs and cut them shorter and added 2 or 3 more, just taper ends and get new spring eye bolt and you are set. the shorter spring really increase load capacity. another option is napa sells a load leveler shock that is gas filled with a coil spring added. I know that do not show one for a Tacoma, but could look at the specs and find one that would work. I originally looked in to this with my truck, found the shock that was right length and right ends but did not if the spring around the shock had enough clearance.

 

I know you can't really increase the payload on these trucks. I just meant "carry the advertised payload better than it does without riding on the bump stops all the time." Currently, with the TSB leafs, I am less than an inch from the stops with 250lbs in the truck. This means, if you hit any bump it thumps. I am sure by 300 I am touching them.

I got a job in the backcountry that requires I carry 600-1000lbs in the truck. Sometimes I also tow a small camper in addition. I know this isn't ideal, but I can't afford another reliable truck and you can't change vehicles every time I change jobs either. I should have bought a full size truck but I didn't need it two years ago. So I need to make this one work as best as possible. I still think that the springs are poorly poorly designed but I don't think most people would debate that.

I have been fighting with Toyota because, in my opinion, the springs are not function the way they are with the advertised payload and they should replace them with something that is. I have realized this is never going to happen.

I am on backroads and off road most of the time and it is weeks that I won't see town sometimes. My buddy had airbags and they were a constant fight. They leaked air, they got holes (we poked a stick through one) and were in general high maintenance and you were always adding air to them which is a pain. Some people like them but if one went flat and they weren't clean (caked with mud, rocks, sticks...) it got a hole in a heartbeat.

I go to the backcountry in less than three weeks so I don't really have time to go build my own and I don't really have a shop with all the tools to get this done in a short amount of time. I was looking for some options the shops around here could install that would at least make this truck useable for the next year until I get it paid off and I can get a fullsize to solve this problem.

Thanks for all you guys help, I think I can get some leads on things and at least make this better. If it would hold 600-700lbs without slamming all the time, I would be happier.

 

The 1150 was basically for the new suspension all the way around, front and rear with an add a leaf in addition to the new pack in the back.

I think it was this kit.

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2133

1150 was the parts on the price. Install was 500-600.

 

Honestly, it sounds like you should contact All-pro or Deaver or someone like them and ask to have a custom leaf pack made that supports 1000 lbs++. It's going to be a stuff ass ride unloaded, but would be pretty good during work

 

I broke my stock 3 leaf pack and went with allpro standard duty leafs and did my own setup to get rid of the 3" of lift they provide. In the end the standard duty springs increased the payload and they should ride much better than the expo's unloaded, but im not sure how well they will hold 1000lbs.

 

I was an a similar boat with my truck. I was putting around 900lbs in the bed on a regular basis and my stock springs were toast. I got the ome springs and nitro charger shocks from sierra expeditions and never looked back. Drives really well under weight. Can be a little harsh off road unloaded but I recommend them.

 

I tried a bunch of different spring-AAL set ups, and finally installed a set of All Pro Expo's. I have 600-800 pounds on the rear daily, and couldn't be happier with these springs.

 

I went with the Dakar packs which you can add another Leaf, but you should consider adding Timbern bumpstops to help out when loaded off road like I did. http://www.timbren.com/

 

X2 on the Timbrens. They act as a second spring when the bed is loaded.

Contrary to the way All-Pro advertises them, however, don't get Timbrens if you plan to jump the truck.

 

I'm in the same boat. Usually have a sled or quad in the back, or towing trailer, and drive on gravel roads a lot and broke a leaf the other day and brought it in to get fixed, still covered under ECP toyota warranty and apparently leafs aren't covered. It's fixed now, and you can tell the other side is saggy, as the new leaf side is noticibly higher. I'm going to go with a aftermarket leaf pack to gain the height and will lift it at the same time 3" and get the billy 5100's and springs to raise the front 3" also.

 

With the All Pro Expo's, and near 800 + pounds in the back, I am still over 3" above stock in the rear. They are one heck of a set of springs,not sure how high this would ever be if unloaded. I have TRD front coils, and 5100's set on 2.5 and it is way high in the rear, need to add at least another 1-2 inches in the front to level it.

 

Why don't you simply go to your local spring shop and let them fix the problem? They can upgrade, rebuild or replace your springs with a quick turn around, turn-key solution...

Howard