Handling heavy loads, airbags?

ok guys, heres the deal. I love my Tacoma, but i often use it at its maximum capacity for haulin stuff and im interested in making it handle the loads a little better. most likely by adding a set of air bags to the rear end as thats what my old truck had and i never had any issues with them. the problem is that i find my rear end sitting within about an inch of the bottom out bumper a little too often so i figure this is where i need to go. any reccomendations or opinions are appreciated (no i dont want to, nor can afford a 3/4 or1 ton at the moment, either). i really just want to make sure that whatever i do doesnt effect the do it all nature of my truck. ie they cant get damaged from flexxing the suspension or limit travel, nor make it ride shitty etc. thanks in advance guys.
PS. i searched the site but couldnt really come up with anything other than "they'll level my truck when loaded." Didnt really want to put this in the "suspension" section as i think it'll get more hits here.

 

I have been considering the same thing but like you was afraid that they might get damaged whild off roading. We just installed some on my dads truck and they make a world of difference when hauling his Travel trailer. I'll be keeping my eye on this one.

 

Thanks Phantom, awsome idea.

 

thanks for the link there phantom. i had heard of these in the past, but i wasnt real sure if they were what i was looking for. my only concern is that they will limit the up travel of the suspension and thus may effect the flex of the rear suspension....

 

I have a set of Ride Rite airbags by Firestone on my 08. Heavy loads handle much better and seem to only be limited by the tire capacity. They were easy to install and cost about $250. I'm not sure how they fit with a lift kit but think spacers equal to the lift attached to frame or axle is all you need. I run with 7-10 psi without a load and inflate to level for loads. i have done some 4x4 without damage but it was not extreme. They seem flexible and able to take some abuse.

I am curious to how they fit with a lift as I want to put a lift on mine If anyone has installed them with a lift let us know what you did.

 

RE the Timbren kit:

Will these affect your ride in any way positively if I never carry any load in the back?

I just haul very light, but bulky items, gun cases, ocean kayak, model airplane stuff, camera equipment.

So all of it is light, perhaps under 200 lbs.


So, they won't tax the vehicle suspension and I will NEVER carry or tow anything.

So, are these worth getting in my case?

 

Have you had the tsb done? If not you should look into that. Toyota will replace the rear leaf springs, the new pack has 4 leaves instead of 3, Ive hauled a full load of 22" wide oak logs, just levels the truck. I landscape so I routinely have a 33" mower, backpack blower, trimmer, barrells, ramps and gas (yes it all fits) all this squats it maybe an inch?? Total weight:700#

 

sounds like we haul much of the same stuff! yeah, i've thought of having the spring TSB done (already had the intake tube rattle and bent tailgate TSBs done on mine) but i have an aal in the pack and a 1" block in the back right now so im thinking they'd try and say no for this reason. it is worth the try though, especially since i dont have anything to lose i guess. the lithia that i got the others done from seemed to be great about just doing the other TSBs for me so maybe i will try this. thanks.

 

They won't do the TSB with you aal and block. By adding those you have already corrected the problem.

 

I have the 2'' block an the back, I put it on after the tsb. I am not sure if the aal has a higher cap than the tsb? If you want the tsb done youd have to take the block and aal off. After the tsb is done you can put the block back, I asked the guys at toytech about an aal with the tsb pack, no one had done it yet, you could do it but youd have to cut one of the extra leaves. Like i said tho ive had alot of weight in the truck I havent come close to bottoming it out yet. let me know how it works out