Payload increase?

is there a way to increase the payload? does the suspension/Leaf spring MOD really helps to increase the payload??? Expedition overland claims in one of their MOD video that they did get 800 lbs increase payload. is it really the case.

 

Yes.

 

Ex Overland are idiots lol.

Technically no you cannot increase payload. The vehicles gvwr is what determines payload but you can change how it handles that payload .
Like changing springs can reduce the amount of sag in the rear but your gvwr doesn't change. Actually in a way it does if those springs are heavier then you've just lost weight that was part of your gvwr.


With that said you sort of can depending on what that rating is based on.

Although I haven't looked too into it and what I have found was based on 2nd Gen.
But gvwr is based on many different aspects from suspension, tires, transmission to axles and brakes.

If you consider the unbraked trailer rating it suggest the brakes can handle around 6500-6800lbs safely.
The factory tires are passenger rated so not as strong.
The suspension is a common point of handling weight.
The info I found from 2nd Gen was axle ratings on the actual axles, which suggest the axles can handle a lot more.

Every manufacture are rather conservative on their ratings.

You should know legally speaking if you were to overload and get into an accident that is said to have been caused by your excessive weight say causing brake failure you will be charged.

I will say however consider unloaded no gear just my dual battery, skids, sliders and a full tank of gas I'm 5440lbs when I got weighed at the dump. You include others running way more like racks, bumpers etc they're definitely overweight. Do you see them blowing up no. But parts wear faster.

I asked the shop I deal with how he feels about it and he just said majority of off road rigs are overweight almost all jeeps are. It's heavily based on tires and suspension.

 

Proud of you man. Correct posts are so hard to find lol.

 

@Joe23 makes 100% legit points. The GVWR cannot be changed but there's a disconnect in the owner's manual (at least my 2008) in that if you sum the front and rear gross axle weights you get a different weight than the GVWR.

For my truck the front GAWR is 2,755 lbs and the rear is 3,110 lbs which is 5,865 lbs. The GVWR OTOH is 5,350 lbs. The problem is if you load the rear axle to 3,110 lbs that means the front when loaded to 5,350 must weigh less than 2,240 lbs. Which I'm not sure is the case even stock with a driver and full fuel tank, forget bumpers and winches hung out there. Axle capacities are IMO pretty hard limits no matter what.

So there's some margin I think built in the combined GVWR. However how much and the weaknesses (is it brakes, frame, suspension?) is only for Toyota to know. I think we're all safe loaded a little (maybe 5%?) over GVWR with stronger springs. Also consider that GVWR is more than a mechanical number, it's a vehicle dynamics determination and lifting a truck clearly changes how prone to roll-over it is, so stiffer springs might carry more weight but raising the truck 2" might negate that.

 

You'd have to reduce weight to legally increase your payload. Lighter tires, no spare tire, lighter weight battery, less fuel, etc.

 

Changing the suspension will make the truck sit level with an overload on it. But it is still overloaded.

Most everyone overloads their trucks at some point in time. As long as you're sensible about it and don't go crazy, and don't do it on a regular basis the truck won't fall apart. But changing the suspension encourages people to overload since they don't realize they are doing it until it is too late.

 

Very good point to bring up with regards to how the weight could be higher now leading to a higher centre of mass.


There is something like that in the 3rd gen manual as well I never did the math to calculate it but, there's mention to it when it comes to towing.

It is also important to note that in the GVWR is determined by engineers and I'd assume they test for it as well.

 

This gets mentioned a lot, legality. Do you know what or if there's any actual legal consequences to GVW? Here in CO the only references I have ever found applies to commercial users. An individual is only affected if your vehicle is over 26,000 lbs and that seems related more to road and bridge capacities than anything. About the only thing I've ever heard is that if you're over your vehicle's GVWR and happen to be in an accident the state patrol and lawyers *may* take that into consideration. But non-DOT trucks (e.g. private, not-for-hire, rentals like U-Haul) under 26,000 don't need to be weigh and don't need CDLs, so GVWR will never be questioned unless you are grossly over and it's a clear violation. Even then I haven't found a law that says you must adhere to a GVWR or assigns any punishment. It seems mostly a suggestion by the manufacturer to not damage your truck or have unsafe handling.

 

Just swap some one ton axles in, big brake kit, higher rated tires, and suspension. If your budget is infinite that is.

 

dont forget to swap frame and transmission.


or you know just buy a full size lol

 

Oh and engine swap to handle the added weight lol

 

It's a calculated value based on many points like stopping distance, heat load (and clamp force) in brakes, transmission, cooling limits, etc along with physical constraints like shocks, springs and axles.

In addition, the truck has to be sprung to be comfortable unloaded too.

They could design it to haul a huge payload but nobody would buy it.

 

Take your stock rig to Central America and load that sucker up!

 

Your logic is flawed. The GVWR is 5350. The front is rated at a max of 2755 and the rear at 3110. You can't add the front and rear and come up with 5865. It doesn't work that way.

Here is the issue. Any vehicle will handle and brake best with weight 50/50 on the front and rear axle. Trucks are typically heavier in the front unloaded so they will be closer to the 50/50 when loaded. Most trucks handle and brake best with some load in them. But the more weight you put in the rear of the truck the lower the percentage on the front. Especially weight behind the rear axle. This naturally causes you to have the front tires to have less weight on them and that negatively effects both handling and braking. Getting the truck to sit level with an overload doesn't change that.

True, the truck and all of it's contents shouldn't weigh more than 5350. And that leaves 1200 lbs payload in my truck. With a 180 lb cap on mine and a 220 lb driver I've used 400 of that already. Start adding heavy bumpers, winches, heavier tires, extraction tools, and passengers and you eat up your payload pretty fast. If you intend to haul more weight, buy a lighter Access Cab instead of a Double Cab and avoid the accessories.

Unlike commercial trucks we don't have to cross scales. But if you're ever involved in an accident where there is a death or serious injury your truck and it's contents may well be weighed. If you're over the limit you're opening yourself up to prosecution and civil suits.

 

I put hellwig helper springs in my 15' 4 door long bed. i put my 15' sportsman 570 in back all the time which is about 850-900lbs. Handles weight fine, doesn't blind oncoming traffic anymore. That was my reason for doing so, it's a medium duty truck if your looking to do heavier duty stuff you may need to consider bigger truck. But it handles everything i throw at it with ease.

 

I understand implicitly that this is the case. The tires, axles, suspension, handling are mixed in a pot of formulas and out pops numbers obviously with some kludge room. Incidentally my 1991 XtraCab had the exact same GVWR of 5,350 lbs as my 2008 Access Cab Tacoma. Which I thought was interesting.

As I mentioned earlier, that's been mentioned but it's always anecdotal. I'm not doubting, don't misunderstand, but does anyone have actual experience or evidence of this? I've never known anyone who's had their truck subject to a roadside weigh by a state trooper, for example, even after an accident. But I can't say I've known anyone involved in a fatal accident either.