Another advice thread

Hey Everyone, Just looking for some guidance after hours of research and minimal progress made. I'll make it brief since this shouldn't be too complicated of a fix. Current stats are stock everything, 3 leafs in the back. Stock tire size 245/75's.

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension, and here's what I'm trying to accomplish:
Level out the front with the rear
Increase bed hauling capabilities
Minimize overall lift in general

I want the ride to sit even front to back, and it seems like when I haul anything I tend to bottom out in the back. I don't want to drastically lift the truck, since I don't off road much and have stock tire size. I'd like a complete kit for front and back, budget of $800 plus or minus. Thanks for any help!

 

This^

 

The best way to improve the loaded handling is to add some deaver leafs... At $700 that just about blows your budget right there. It will only lift your truck about 1" but will give you the better handling you are looking for. You could then buy some 5100's for the front and set them at 1.5"...

 

So obviously I'm fairly uneducated when it comes to suspensions in general. So you're saying that even if I replace the stock leafs I will still have issues bottoming out with the same load weights? I just find myself maxing out when I have what I feel like is a fairly small load in the back.

I will definitely look into the 5100's, have heard nothing but positive reviews about them. Thanks for all the input.

 

No, the new leafs will absolutely carry the weight better. You won't bottom out but the truck is still limited to its load capacity due to the smaller engine and braking power.

Theoretically you could put springs on the truck to hold 5k lbs but you couldn't safely drive it... Got it?

 

That makes sense. I guess I was just a little confused being that I wasn't eligible for the add a leaf TSB, and I thought that would allow me to load a little more without hitting the stops. I don't often fill the bed with anything, it just seemed when I had a half a bed of firewood I was maxed out.

So something along these lines would be a good idea?

 

And the last horse crosses the finish line.... Sorry I'm a little slow with this. Haha.

How does this sound: , and 5100's front and back? That sould be south of $1k and seems like it would handle loads better. It says based on chassis and load it will raise the ride height. Do you think it would be substantially higher?

Also, by installing these components, would there be any other modifications to my truck that would be necessary?

 

Basically from the factory the trucks are set up to ride good kind of like a car because you have "car" people buying trucks now. What that does is make the truck not carry the weight it can very well so the ass end sinks and you hit the bump stops. When you put the set of springs on the Taco that can haul the weight it's supposed to it makes the ride firmer or for those of us who have drove 4x4 trucks all our life it make the truck ride like it's supposed to. I had the same issue as you with the truck sinking in the back. I put a full OME lift kit on mine because I wanted the lift and the ability to carry stuff without looking like a stink bug going down the road. I understand this isn't the answer for your needs but it's what I did. I have a slight rake but the truck handles weight and driving is exactly how I want it. To me the stock truck rode like crap for a truck. I'm not into the whole cushy car ride.

 

Awesome, I really appreciate the help with this. Thanks for educating me!

 

Firestone airbags work great for increased bed weight. It's cheaper than a new leaf pack and it's perfect if your not wanting to gain any lift.

 

Ebay 319.00