Eeek, another suspension (leaf) question

Good afternoon folks! Back again hoping the experts here will be able to help me out.

So just as a quick note, I have an 02 TRD Prerunner that has "Air Lift" helper bags in the rear.
When I picked up the truck a few years ago, I noticed the rear leafs were starting to sag a bit and anytime I'd put a motocross bike in the back I'd see the truck squat quite a bit. This is when I decided to put in the bags and they always worked so great!

Fast forward to this weekend, I smoked some giant pot hole on the road and lost all pressure in my air bags. I still need to trace out the air bag problem, perhaps a hose leak somewhere (doubtful) or a damaged air bag.

Bags aside, I now notice that my truck is basically slammed in the rear now. I can't even go over a bump on the highway without it bottoming out and cornering is just plain SCARY. This HAS to be addressed!

What would you guys suggest? My shocks could probably be replaced all around to be honest, and I have about 250,000 km on the truck now and as far as I can tell everything is original. It doesn't owe me anything!

I'm not in a market for a new truck anytime soon, and I really love this truck!

I use this as my commuter vehicle to and from work, so I'd love to smooth out the ride. However, I do some off-roading when I need to get my dirtbikes into or around gravel pits. Additionally, I have a popup camper I often take around from motocross track to motocross track (it's about 1700lbs) so I often have a nice load in the rear.

I'd like to hear recommendations. It's getting older now, should I invest in complete new leaf spring packs and new shocks ? I'm thinking 5100's in the front but do you guys suggest anything to fix my rear?

Thanks!
My apologies for the long post!

 

Are you keeping it stock height?

 

I'm sorta neutral on the stock height question. A little lift might be fun, but I suppose thr main importance is functionality and cost efficiency.

To be honest, I think when I got the truck the leaf springs were probably already shot, I'm not sure I've ever had stock height in the rear prior to installing the air bags.

I do still hope to install the air bags back in once the leafs and shocks have been replaced.

 

then 5100s on middle setting (to level truck) and oem replacement leafs should be fine for you.

 

If hes towing he probably shouldnt use the bilstiens to level the truck a little rake would do nicely

 

That's a good point. Although, assuming I fix up my air lift kit, would that help level out the rear with a load?

Is the oem leaf packs the most cost efficient way to go?

I wouldn't mind a bit of a lift, but it's not my main priority at this time. Although I do like the look!

 

I was thinking he could use the airbags when needed. It probably still wont sit level with sagged front coils anyways.

 

I'm just looking at shocks for the rear to go along with the new leaf springs, and obviously the Bilstein 4600s cost less than the 5100s. I'll probably end up going with the 5100's in the front, but is there any benefit to running 5100 series in the rear vs the 4600?

 

Not really. When I upgraded from 4600 to 5100 in my second gen I didn't really notice a difference, but that may be because I installed an add a leaf at the same time.

Any upgrade is going to be just that, an upgrade. We just recently replaced the old, worn out shocks in my friends 2001 xterra. He was debating the 4600s and some other random company that was a fraction of the cost with good reviews. Spent $100 on all 4 shocks and it's a night and day difference in ride compared to before. You'd be more than fine with 4600s.

 

So I called the stealership today and they quoted me $460 for leafs, each. After taxes that puts me up over 1000 just in parts alone.
I've looked at a few aftermarket options like OME, but all I can find are "lift" kits, not much for oem replacements. I don't mind levelling out the truck in the front, but I don't really need to raise the back more than stock. It might look cool, but certainly doesn't make loading the dirtbikes any easier!

Can someone suggest a good leaf pack?

I see some OME ones but the only ones I see say it adds 2.5" lift. If that means extending the brake lines and stuff I don't really wanna get into anything extra :/

 

I have heard that General leaf springs are a good OEM replacement option.

http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Toyota_Tacoma_2001_2002_2003_2004_s/1932.htm

 

^^^

 

Thanks guys! I'll look into it!

 

5100 are only for lifted applications in the rear

 

Not true. There are many people on here who run 5100s on here on stick height, just for a better ride.

 

They work better at factory ride height than than the super short stroke factory shocks if you ask me.

 

I'm right there with you, not wanting additional lift and sticking to stock ride height. I just ordered Bilstein 5100's all around (set at 0 setting) and Wheelers 4-Leaf springs. I also ordered all the various Bushings & Bumpstops too.

 

I also need of a new set of rear sorings. These are my options for stock height. Factory Toyota leaf springs $400~550, Wheelers spring $450 and Generals spring $120~170 each.
I do ZERO off roading. This is my commute truck. The most important thing for me is reliability. I want springs last for long time. Are General and Wheelers springs built better than factory springs? Any comment from those who bought generals ir wheekers?