Are My Rear Shocks Screwed?

Hey everyone. Long time lurker, figured I'd drop in and stay a while. I'm needing a little advice regarding my rear suspension. I'm sure this has been widely discussed, I just didn't find anything in the searches, so here we are...

My '06 DCSB has what looks like a 2" block lift under the back on what looks like stock springs and shocks. The truck has 139k on the clock. It's got the ol' Tacoma Squat going for it at the moment and when going over a hard bump that rises suddenly I hit the bump stops, hard... If the road swells and gives the rear time to preload, it does fine. There doesn't appear to be a lot of room between the bump stop and the leaf spring, so two questions.

Are my shocks toast?
Have my springs lost their spring?

This is all unloaded btw.... It sits on the bumps when I get a good load in it... I'll post pictures if anyone needs them, but figured I'd start the conversation and add later if need be.

Thanks everyone.

 

Sounds like a twofold issue. Bad shocks, and worn springs. Get new shocks, and replace the springs with proper springs instead of lift blocks.

 

^that

 

Thanks. That's what I figured. I've had it almost a year and I'm finding little things here and there that need to be addressed.

 

The shocks on my 2012 TRDOR could use a change too, I am going to get new ones from the dealer (albeit an online site) because I like how the stock ones perform. But my truck is also 100% stock.

 

Welcome Jay. Your trucks springs are definitely worn out and most likely so are the shocks. One of the things to consider is if you have 2” blocks in the back how high is the front lifted? If it’s a cheap spacer lift you might want to consider replacing the front too and you’ll have all fresh suspension.

Searching tip for all new members - in your search type in what you’re looking for and add “tacomaworld” ie rear leaf springs tacomaworld and you’ll get right to all the threads here.

 

Awesome, thanks for the tips. My search did pull all kinds of stuff. I gave up.

 

.................... and yet the mods get upset when we mess with the new guys

 

Maybe I should clarify... I didn't find anything relevant when I searched... I was looking for a specific tree, but got the whole forest.

 

Pictures of the suspension would still be beneficial. Would show how bad the leaf springs are, and might show if they are original, TSB, or aftermarket.

 

I was waiting for this one....

 

Pics will definitely help us help you. If you’ve been a lurker here you know you’re about to be asked how you intend to use the truck also. Yes, there’s almost too much info to sift through, but better too much than too little. You want to be able to make the right choices and not have to buy twice.

 

Depending on need, might even be able to grab some "new" oem leaf springs and such off a 3rd Gen that's upgrading for cheap. I've read they fit, so that's what i'm assuming anyhow.

 

Here’s what I got.
Passenger:



Driver:



Profile:

 

Yeah, time for new leaf springs! The side view looks real low in the back, seeing as how you have that lift block in there!

 

Look like about 90% of Tacoma’s in the road...flat.

Block just accelerated the inevitable probably.

If you want next to stock replacement, lots of 3rd genners selling OEM leafs for cheap. Otherwise if you want ~2” lift I’d say it’s time to upgrade to a lift providing leaf pack and then replace shocks while your it it. Worn out suspension won’t do your tires any favor either.

 

Tom, I mostly drive to work... I have visions of getting into some mild overlanding, which isn’t terribly extreme in my area. A small lift should give me plenty of clearance. My main concern is being able to carry all my crap along the way.

Ryan, That’s an option I’ve been exploring. Gotta find the guy who’s just gotten tired of the hunt in his garage and is ready to sell it cheap.

 

If you do plan on carrying much anything in the bed (Overlanding is heavy) you might think about just buying OME or something like that. You'd get a little lift, AND have the added capacity.

 

How can I tell if these have been swapped out for the recall?