adding payload to 06 Tacoma

Hello. I just bought a 2006 Tacoma extracab, 4cyl model. I just found out the payload capacity is only 850 pounds. I'd like to raise that by a few hundred pounds. I assume I can add leaf springs to do this? I don't want to add lift though. Can anyone guide me in how to do this? I would probably have a shop do the work.

Thanks -

 

Unfortunately for you, nothing you do will legally change the rated payload for your truck. You can upgrade your suspension and brakes as much as you want to make your truck ride better or squat less and stop heavier loads, but when it comes down to it, your payload will legally be 850lbs. (This will change from trim to trim.)

I struggle with the wimpy payload of my DCLB and it's payload is 1200 lbs! I didn't realize there were trims that carried less

 

850? Where did you get that number from?
You say its on 06... the only 06 model that has a weight capacity that low is x-runner (V6).

2 wheel drive (non-prerunner) with 4-cyl will be 1250, all prerunner (4 and 6) will be 1300, 4x4 4-cyl will be 1300, and the various 4x4 with V6 will be in the range of 1150-1205.

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM35865U/pdf/OM35865U.pdf

 

Wow, thanks for that info. I had assumed I had the 1GR-FE motor, but now I see I have the 2TR-FE. That makes me feel much better! 1250lbs is fine.

 

Buy a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton.

 

FYI: 1/2 ton = 1000 pounds.
1250 pounds > 1/2 ton.

 

Install Firestone air bags and call it a day.

 

I like the Timbren SES. Not sure if you have a 2 or 4 wheel drive but I got you close.

http://timbren.com/ses-kit-lookup/

 

FYI: Altering your bump stops (what those guys are referring to by "air bags" and "timben") does NOT increase your payload capacity. The capacity is related to the AXLE.

In fact, adding heavy blocks of rubber will actually *decrease* the payload capacity. If you add an extra 10 pounds of rubber, you need to subtract that from the payload. In other words, you go down from 1250 to 1240.

 

So to increase payload you have to swap the axle?

 

Not quite as black and white as that, but yeah.

There's a reason 1 ton trucks have enormous axles with monster diffs and strong frames.

 

It's one aspect of it. Technically, the 2nd gen tacoma with the 4.0 and no off road package has the same rear axle as the 1st gen Tundra. The Tundra double cab was rated for 1635 lbs in 2006 and you could get a regular cab that would carry 1750 lbs.

That suggests the axle isn't the first weak point. Could be the frame strength as DCSBFTMFW said, or suspension, or any combination of any number of things.

 

Buy a real truck.

 

The frame is plenty strong for the weight. If the suspension was the difference, than a Canadian Tacoma would have a higher capacity than an American (at least older years) since 4-leaf instead of 3. But it isn't so. Some of the other things are.. width, height, vehicle's balance, marketing department, changes in legislation.

But the main thing is that the truck CAN carry a hell of a lot more weight than the printed limits anyway. BUT, the law may or may not allow you to do so, and there is not a damned thing that you can do to alter the allowable payload in the eyes of the law.


Its pretty funny that they kept making G1 tundra two MY's into G2 tacoma, since they were effectively the same truck (and as the T100 that came before the G1 tundra).

 

Go away.
A real MAN can do real WORK with a FAKE TRUCK.

 

I sometimes wish I bought an '05 or '06 double cab Tundra instead of my DCLB Tacoma. Slightly bigger overall, but not excessive. Tow rating is about the same, but I bet it'll tow the same amount easier. Payload is a little higher. Could get one with a sunroof and that awesome power rear window.

They're expensive, though. And it's hard to find a DC Limited TRD Off Road.