Suspension upgrade, maintain near stock height

Hi all, standard disclaimer here... sorry about the 10000th suspension upgrade thread. I did search this site and others.

I have a 2007 4 cyl 4x4 with a camper shell. On a recent trip I hit the bumper stops numerous times, with only a minimal load in back (plus camper shell weight of course). Looking at my rear leafs, they are pretty much flat, and it doesn't look like they ever got the TSB. I can see a little clean area where the bumper was making contact. I'm not really interested in a lift, just something that doesn't bottom out, and maintains stock rake for towing and loading the bed. I could do something like a 5100 at 0.85 up front if an upgraded rear would lift the rear a small amount. Will keep stock tire size.

What should I do? I am well past the TSB window, and they are really $ anyway. Most threads talk about adding 2" or more lift, or leveling, which I don't need/want.





Thanks in advance for your input!

 

if you want to maintain your stock height you could add airbags in the rear for the extra weight. If you don't want to go that route you could do 5100s @.85 up front and a 1.5" progressive add a leaf pack (wheelers sells a good one I hear) with 5100s in the rear.

 

I'm looking at the hellwig leafs for support. I haul firewood, a utility trailers and a camper. They will add a little height and make the truck ride more like a truck (i've heard) but they get good reviews. Haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

Thanks for the quick response. So (pardon my ignorance) I can literally buy the one leaf an add it to my existing 3 pack? Are mine shot or just too weak?

Would the rear 5100s be set at 0? So I might not need to upgrade rear shocks if they are still good? I guess its something good to do anyway while I'm at it.

 

All second gen tacomas have weak or soft springs in the rear. You can add a leaf yourself. Or get helper springs, that will work also. And they are cheap

 

I just installed the Hellwig helper springs. I have an 06 DCLB, 139k miles, never had the TSB. I was noticing some sloppiness and sagging with little weight in the back (old battery and 2 sets of gold clubs). I popped the Hellwigs in and gained just over 1/2" in height. Easy to install, just a bit of a bitch to get the truck high enough when jacking from the frame!

 

I put firestone ride rite air bags on mine. Same factory ride empty with 5 lbs of air. Haul wood on trailer at about 15 lbs of air...truck sits level.

 

My double-cab Tacoma would bottom out with an empty bed over railroad tracks and big bumps, so I got Firestone Ride Rite air bags. They're easy to install at home and if you plumb each air bag separate from the other, you can level your truck front to rear and side to side. I keep a small bike pump in the truck and I can adjust them from 5 to 50 + PSI with 10-15 pumps per side. The part number for a 2nd gen 6 lug Tacoma is 2407 and it comes with everything you need.

 

I have a 2012 and my rear leafs look like yours. I'm thinking of putting in a new leaf pack and upgrading the shocks. Right now my leafs clack together at the smallest of bumps.