Tacoma lean? (UPDATED)

My 2017 is stock, but lately the 1.5 inch difference in the rear is really starting to bug me. I don't notice the lean in the front so much but the back is pretty noticeable. None of the 3rd gens I spot around my area have anything like what I've got.

Making an appointment with my dealer but I want get some data from the community on how bad the lean is for you guys.

 

taco lean refers more to a side to side lean due to the gas tank, driver, and battery all being situated on the driver's side of the truck.

what you're referring to is spring sag, or in some people's cases, the carolina squat. fixed by an AAL or a full leaf pack replacement.

Do you carry around a lot of weight in the bed normally? that could be contributing to it.

 

not really. Does what you're describing usually get covered on factory warranty?

 

as far as I know and have seen, it's not since it's normal wear and tear on the leaf springs, and they're notorious for sagging quickly

another option would be to get them re-sprung (?) though I would imagine that would cost much more than an AAL, and probably about the same as a replacement leaf pack that would have more capability.

 

oh wow, that sucks. So the dealer might be a waste of time. Is there any point in changing the leafs with OEM parts if they're that crappy?

Also would I have to change out both sides or just the squatting side?

 

well from how it sounds, you would need to change out both? unless by your thread title you meant only the driver's rear is sagging 2in vs the drivers front 1in. Gonna need to clarify on that. But if both passenger and driver's side are sagging, 100% both.

That being said, I would upgrade/swap out both sides in the rear (AAL into stock pack or replace with full leaf pack), then adjust your front preload if possible which should level things out. I say swap/upgrade both at the same time because I'm a big fan of consistency and it would bug me knowing one side still needs to be upgraded.

 

So by 2 inches I mean the ground to the arch of the rear wheel well is 2 inches lower on the drivers side compared to the passenger side and 1 inch lower on the front drivers side than the front passenger side. This is why I was thinking it is lean but it is not an even lean front to back.

 

I've only had an 1\8th to 1\4 diff side to side on any suspension I either took off or put on my truck.

 

yeah, I have seen pictures of Tacoma lean and mine seems more like a sag of some kind.

 

hm interesting lol. sounds like it could be a combo of taco lean and sagging rear springs, as the taco squat (rear end lower than front) is also common due to our notoriously short-lasting leaf springs.

to fix the taco lean, free option is adjusting preload, cheapest option would be a top plate spacer in the driver's side coilover. to fix the rear end sag, cheapest method would be to find OEM leaf packs for sale in better condition, or do an AAL to slip into the current leaf pack you have

disclaimer: the 4 leaf TSB pack is a thing on the 2nd gens, not sure if that 3rd gens came stock with the inferior 3 leaf.

Side note: it's also possible that, if you didn't buy the truck new, the front is raised higher because they adjusted preload. which I would imagine could contribute to rear being even lower on the leaning side. But i'm not 100% versed in suspension geometry so verify lol

 

yeah, the Taco lean itself wouldn't bother me so much but the rear sag is annoying. Truck only has 28,000kms so for the leafs to sag this early is kind of BS. Will try with the dealer and see what they say. I just don't want to pay out of pocket on a really expensive upgrade especially since I don't own any tools really so I'd have to get it installed too.

 

yeah definitely understandable. Can't hurt to try and take it to the dealership, it could very well be that 3rd gens were released with the weaker 3 leaf pack, and if that's the case, they should do a free replacement with the 4 leaf as there's a TSB out on those weaker ones. I simply don't know cuz I'm a 2nd genner haha

 

Worst case if the dealer tells me to kick rocks could I just but 1 AAL for the left side and get a shop to install them? Or would that likely cause a lean the other way?

 

This is why I keep my toolbox on the passenger's side. Not that it's enough of balance out the battery, fuel tank and me, but it helps a bit. I also try to situate any heavy items that I may haul in the back on the passenger's side.
14 years on my '06 and it has no noticeable lean.
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Seems to me there was a TSB on the Gen 2s - my springs were replaced when the frame was replaced in 2015.
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Dealer told me with a straight face that they measured and my truck was "bang on" level.

Sanity check? still unsure if this is regular Taco lean or a part failure somewhere. just want to get this fixed and move on.

 

Wow, thats crazy the way that leans over. Totally different from looking at mine. That truck has the appearance of a broken leaf.

 

I'd go out in the parking lot with the service guy and a tape measure, go from center of hub up to fender to eliminate any tire differences, and measure it with him. A 1/2 inch is usually the difference between the front suspension for lean, most use a 1/4 inch spacer on top of the coilover to correct it.
A 2 inch difference in the rear is weird. whats your center of hub to the fender on your drivers side rear ? should be around 22 inches.

 

That's BS what they told you. You can tell just by looking at it that it's not level.

 

gotta get one of these