Are My Rear Shocks Screwed?

4 leaf pack is TSB, or what came standard later on. 3 leaves + Overload. Originals back in the day were 2 leaves + Overload.

 

Dude, you’re the man!

I appreciate the insight. I’m pretty new to Toyota’s so still learning all the ins and outs.

 

iv had like 4 different sets of leaf springs... my advice, go Dakars and never look back

 

I had the TSB done knowing I'd be hauling an ATV around. By the time I got my Habitat I had already ruined the TSB Leaf pack towing a car trailer with a SxS. They looked pretty bad. The overload was a nice upside down U. I shouldn't have that problem again for a long time U402 Stage 3 FTW

edit: DEAVER U402...

 

Op you might as well add some pics of what’s up front.

 

After the Toyota 3 and then 4 spring packs free and they still sagged down towing went Dakars with 5100s and rear lifted approx 3" so added 5100s to front set at 2" and can carry to load limits easily. Springs and a 1 piece driveshaft solved all my Tacoma handling/sagging/shuddering problems and got me free of the dealer BS. Of course these are not cheap to buy or install plus an add alignment. If you are only using the Tacoma for light use the dealer springs for free (just run the VIN # or ask dealer to) and you will know if it still qualifies. Enjoy

 

Here’s the driver front.

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Spacer lift, there you go. They're not horrible for your intended use but I'd at least give some thought to ditching them and redoing both the front and rear.
Edit; do you have an idea where you want to be budget wise?

 

I’ve seen a few posts about 3rd gen suspensions fitting 2nd gen. I can get everything for about $150 from someone local to me. All low mileage. I agree that it’s not the best option, but it’s the most budget friendly. Any reason that I shouldn’t?

 

What exactly is "everything"? All you really need are new rear leafs.

 

Sorry, front struts, rear shocks, and springs.

 

Then that's not really gonna help you. The 4+1 medium duty pack sold by this tw member could be just what you need - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2-sizes-now-available-made-in-the-usa.539958/ .

 

I don't know if you can say it's not gonna help... it would at least be all newish parts to replace what is obviously very worn out (at least on the rear). For $150 he will get back to a closer to stock ride (comfort/safety). He can use his spacers front and back with it and drive it till he can save up if needed before spending the full $2 grand for new, upgraded components front and rear.

Obviously if he plans on getting the upgrades ASAP, then yeah, save the $150 for the good stuff, otherwise, buy the cheap stuff and enjoy the ride while you save for the ultimate goal.

 

Because what his truck is most in need of is new lead springs to fix his bottoming out problem and replacing the rear shocks will do nothing for that.

 

The $150 he mentioned above came with "front struts, rear shocks, and springs", I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that the springs he was talking about were leaf springs. Figured all those were a good deal to swap over as a cheap bandaid. If it includes everything BUT leaf springs, yeah, no point in purchasing, lol!

 

Holy moly those fronts are over-tightened and bent!

 

You are correct. Front struts(and springs), rear shocks, and leaf springs. 3k miles. I am not in a place to drop $6-$800 on my truck right now, so $150 to fix my main issue is appealing. I know it's not the 100% best option, but it's what I can afford right now. We're in the middle of a bathroom renovation that is sucking the life out of my wallet. I do appreciate everyones feedback and advice, it's giving me a better direction to follow.

 

This will definitely take care of you! And if needed, should last for years.

 

You're both right and wrong. It will take care of him, but it won't last for years. He already has tsb springs and they're already on the bumpstops. It's been gone over again and again on this forum - the 3+1 leafs aren't much better than the 2+1 leafs they replace. But.................

The leafs are your main issue. If you're getting low mileage leafs with that bundle, buy it, but with that buy yourself a 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal and put it in https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p95/Icon_1.5_Inch_Progressive_Add-a-leaf_-_51100_(PAIR).html . Then you'll be good for years and here's why. While, as I said above, the 3+1 pack will eventually sag like the 2+1, IF you support it with an aal from new they're good to go. With the aal you've made your own 6+1 pack, and it will last. Sure, you could add an aal to a worn out pack and it will lift it back up, but then the aal is carrying the whole load and will eventually give up too. It's been posted about here again and again. Add an aal to a new leaf pack and your golden. Then, just use the spacer you have on the front with the new front shock and coil and that actually fixes your problem for now. When money allows swap in a bilstein 5100 in and figure out the coil/lift height setting combo you want then. Enjoy.

This is my dclb (heaviest config). I did what I'm telling you to do (bought my own toyota tsb springs and the aal linked, not running the overload leaf), so I've put my money where my mouth is. I have a bed mat, cap+rack (the weight of which led me down this road), and always have a bunch of misc stuff in the bed. The front is a Bilstein 5100 set at .85 with the oem sport coil. Pic is from yesterday. It looks just like it did when installed about 6 years ago.

 

Derail! I can't get over how clean that frame is on an '06! Yes I live in the salt belt but my new frame, replaced in 2015 is already rusted more ( with regular fluid film applications).