Suspension Improvement for bed CAP

I recently added an ARE Z series cap with a Slimline 2 rack to my Off-road short bed. Ever since doing so I fell like the truck rides like a boat because the rear shocks are preloaded. Also, if I hit the wrong dip in the road I could feel them bottom out.

Prior to this I ran just a Slimline bed rack and my Frontrunner RTT, with that weigh the driving dynamics felt fine. I havent even tried the tent on top of the cap yet.

What would you advise I do to the rear suspension? Add a leaf? Is that all I need? Also, if I do the back should I also compensate the front to match?

Thanks in advance.

 

Bags, add a leaf, or full pack replacement.

Most packs and add a leafs will give some lift but if you are sagging at all it shouldn’t matter much.

 

Check to see the gap to your bump stop. You added just couple hundred pounds. Not much at all. My shell smoothed my ride out even more.

Edit: I measured before and after on mine. No difference.

 

Add a leaf is your cheapest option by far if you want to get back to stock height.

Go full pack if you want a little height above stock.

Your easiest to install system is the Roadmaster, which is also adjustable to the exact ride you need. But it comes at a price. 450 is retail, but occasionally they run sales here and there. That's what I'm running, no complaints.

 

I agree it’s only about 200-300 lbs so it shouldn’t have that much of an impact.

 

Thanks, from everything I’m seeing a 3 leaf add a leaf is my best option, I definitely wouldnt mind any lift that comes as a result of it.

 

My ARE camper shell only added around 200lb which is not much plus some of that weight is forward of the axle. If anything , it rides better on washboard roads.

 

$282 SuperSprings SSR-612-40 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tacoma, blue

https://www.amazon.com/SSR-612-40-S...SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=612-40+sumo+springs

Just got these for mine 20 min install haven’t tested with weight yet but got them for when the snowmobile goes in the back

 

This looks interesting. What is adjustable? The ride height? The spring tension? I like the idea of correcting a little sag and helping with axle hop at the same time. I'm about 300 lbs over stock constantly and notice just a trace of sag. When I load in more gear the sag is more noticeable.

 

I have the same bed cap. Measured before and after. Exactly one inch lower. Subbed to see how this turns out, cuz'...I bought the Firestone air bags. Not mounted yet. I like some rake. Just a tad.

 

I went with the Roadmaster setup as well. So far, no complaints.

 

The spring tension. Very simple - unload the suspension via floor jack and tighten until a coin of your choice passes between the coils. At the dime (1mm) setting the difference in empty ride height is unnoticeable but it visibly reduces sag with light loads. At the quarter (2mm), I see a small amount of rake when empty, but Im not on the bump stops at maximum payload.

The surprising part was the handling difference - you really notice it in the corners due to reduction in body lean. They also claim that wheel hop is reduced as well. Unlike previous trucks I owned I never had a wheel hop problem in the tacoma so I can't testify to that.

 

Air bags are also a likely effective solution. I have them on my Gen 1 and plan to put them on my Gen 3. Air-Lift are the ones I am familiar with and they work well. You adjust air pressure to match your load. Running minimum pressure, I get a tiny lift, maybe 1/2". However I can put 1000lb in the bed and with air added, the truck sits perfectly level. The air bags themselves come with a lifetime guarantee against leakage.

 

I think I’m going to go with the ICON 1.5 in add a leaf pack. Anyone have any experience?

Am I right to assume that all I need is the lead pack and no change to the shock since I’m preloaded due to the extra load so this will just bring it closer to atockmor juat a tas higher? Who’s appreviate any advice...

https://www.rogue-offroad.com/product-p/51100.htm

 

I added these earlier this month when I was upgrading suspension. They are a lot better than the weak OEM one leaf that you replace with these.

I have a Leer 100XQ.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I ended up installing the ICON AAL 1.5 inch today. One of the bigger jobs I’ve done on my own. The biggest pain was grinding off the leaf clips from the oem leafs to make room for the AAL. Had to do one one each side.

The ride def feels stiffer and more like it was priory to installing the cap.

Also, my ground to fender distance went from 36 in to 37.75, so a little more than I bargained for. I’m sure it will sit a quarter inch after it all settles.

 

I installed the Firestone bags, awesome setup gives you flexibility in load vs bag pressure. Diy on a weekend

 

Did you keep the overload leaf in? Without 1.5" lift, with overload 2" lift.

 

Sorry, should have touched on that, I removed the overload. These things are also used in tundras so I could see it being on the high end for the Tacoma.

 

How is your rear suspension working out?Thinking about adding an AAL and maybe an inch up front..Thx