Tacoma as a work truck . Shell/Rack. Air bags? Leafs?

Hi All,

This is my first post to this thread. I just bought a new TRD Sport Access Cab MT to use as my work truck. For the past 12 years I have used an 06 Reg cab 5 speed as my work (building houses) rig. It has a cab hi canopy, a home made slide out drawer system, and tools it in fairly often. It sags. But its been a great truck. I also have an 96 ram that i use to haul lumber and my tool trailer, but its rough (though a joy to drive with the 5 speed). Any way i know many will say a Tacoma is too small for a work truck, but I love working out of my taco .

I decided it was time to upgrade to a v6 to pull my tool trailer around when i need to. With a lumber rack ill be able to do most of what my 3/4 ton can do except the heavier loads. I would prefer to address the suspension to better handle the added weight. Any opinions? Air bags vs New leafs, or add a leaf? I dont know much about it. Also any ideas on cost for either installed vs doing it myself? Any input appreciated!

Thanks

Cory

 

Load her up and use her, then decide if its even needed

 

Howdy! I think probably the first thing to do would be to calculate the weight you want to carry full time or nearly full time. Then decide on what option for the rear suspension. Airbags, sumo springs, replace the leafs are all options. Leaf springs would lift the rear end. You might find out that the amount of weight compared to stock payload might be ok or that a Tacoma might not be the best fit.

 

Decent rack and a locking box is all you really need. I wouldn’t go buying a bunch of shit until you use it for a little while.

 

I'm guessing from the sounds of it you're running heavier weights more often than not.

My personal recommendation: replace the leaf pack with something heavier.
Pro- no muss no fuss, it's a set it and forget it solution. Handles the load. Not expensive, relatively speaking.
Con- not adjustable. If ever you run without shell or empty you're in for a rough ride. Install is the most involved.



Alternate 1: Roadmaster active suspension system.
Pro: a bolt on solution that takes 30 minutes to install. Occasionally adjustable for those times you want to run empty.
Con- cost is 450 for a pair. Adjusting springs is a 20 minute ordeal that involves jacking the rear in the air.


Alternate 2, Airbags.
Pro- infinitely adjustable. Your ride is perfect no matter the load. Adjusting it's as simple as a bicycle pump.
Con- youll adjust your suspension with every load. Average cost runs anywhere from 350 to 500, add another 400 if you want to run an automated compressor setup.

 

As mentioned figure out roughly what you need, but personally I would just run an add-a-leaf and replace the pack 5-6++ years down the road as a whole. Get your money out of the factory pack.

Airbags aren't a bad choice but personally I'd keep it simple and cheap. I hate hate hate sagging. Especially on a new rig.

 

Depends on your static load (what you carry around consistently) If its a lot of weight new springs like Alcans or Dakars are in order. If your static load is closer to the dry weight of the truck air bags or an add a leaf would be more appropriate for those trips to pick up supplies which are not carried frequently. Air bags and add a leafs will give you a better ride when unloaded but require frequent maintenance and not durable for heavy loads.

I've had all three on my Taco and prefer the leaf springs as they come in multiple weight carrying capacities and can be fine tuned to your needs, they are also very low maintenance and extremely durable. Currently running Old Man Emu Dakar 96r which is not even the heaviest rated spring pack OME makes.

 

HELLIWIG Helper springs

 

I work civil construction and push the taco to its limits as a work truck. On and off road.
I’d say the absolute max weight the bed can handle is a about a ton. It will ride on its bump stops but the truck will handle it. Probably not safe though.
Toolbox clamped to the rail with D-Zee toolbox anchors work well.
Bare outfitters tailgate replacement to have a better work station.
Cali raised bed stiffeners make for great tie down points.
And DMM for your phone if your truck will also be your office.

 

Like I said i have a 2nd gen regular cab i have been working out of for 12 years. I will certainly wait untill i have the rack and canopy untill (if) i do anything.My current springs are certainly worn out . I have carried alot of shit in it over the years. I figure that the camper lumber rack combo would be 3-400? Waiting to hear back on weights. The Bed draw system i have in my current truck is made out of a combo of 1/2" and 3/4" baltic birch ply. Its heavy, but i had drop cuts so i used em. I will go all half inch to save weight. I would think for sure a little rear end suspension upgrade would help. Hear are some pics of my current rig. I try to keep a minimal amount of tools in it, but it always varies depending on how many jobs i have going and where my trailer is parked. Here are some pics of my 2006

 

that work truck must be a 4 banger

 

it is a 4. Man i really can appriciate that motor. Its worth noting I drive over a mountain pass between work every day. My communte is about 20-30 miles each way depending on where my job is

 

Lots of information in the towing section of this forum. Enjoy the new ride.

 

Air bags not durable? We've got F350s in the fleet that have had airlift and firestone bags for 200,000+ miles with 0 problems. I have supersprings on my F250, the ride is harsh when empty but they do the job.

Bags are nice for adjustability, especially if you get the auto wireless kits, expect to spend $1K or more though.
Springs are nice because they're cheap and easy to install. But the ride is a little rougher if you're empty.

 

I bet you could take those wood boxes out of your old tacoma and put them in the new one w/o much effort.

 

I don't mind a rougher ride when empty. If it feels like a truck that's ok with me as long as it handles well. I would imagine with a shell rack and drawer system it will have at least 400 lbs in it all the time. Whats a ballpark cost for new leafs if i need them? I hear its not to hard to do yourself.

 

Thanks for the info. Did you install them yourself? What did they cost?

 

Sumosprings might be a good option as well, installed in a half hour or less

 

Installed myself in a forest service campground, I don't recall exactly what I paid for them but with the greaseable shackle pins it was sub $350.

 

I used my tacoma as a work truck for a couple of years, worked great, I carry about a thousand pounds of tools daily. Had add a leaf, air bags, 285's with all that goes with that. It was great, could off road with all that stuff no problem, but, just add a couple of friends for a lunch run, and it was so over loaded it sucked. Needed more space in the long run, switched to a full size.