Rough rear-need advice/help!

Aloha TW,
I have a 2017 DCLB Tacoma. I bought this truck about 2 years ago and it came with a 6 inch pro comp DB lift. Now I've been a long time lurker on TW forums and I know the stigma against DB lifts...so if you have nothing constructive to say please keep it to yourself. I did not come here for a lesson on why a DB lift is etc etc etc. Thank you.

Now unto the problem. This truck rides rough. Rough as in every pot hole, bump, uneven terrain, construction roads, etc. I can feel it...and feel like I'm "chattering my teeth off". But most of the problem actually comes from my rear. The front is stiff but it's an okay stiff. The rear is absolutely terrible.

My goal is to soften up my ride so that my ride is not so rough and my daily commutes are more bearable. I also do have realistic expectations and I'm not looking for a luxury ride...rather a bearable one.

Please excuse me if I have any of this wrong and doesn't match up to my pics but I gathered this to the best of my knowledge. These are my current specs:

-6 inch pro comp lift stage 1
-Bilstein 5100s w/ coilovers
-SPC UCAs adds an extra inch
-pro comp lift kit rear shocks
-5 inch block w/ stock leaf packs?
-315/75r/16 Toyo OC MT (E-Rated) @ 35 PSI

I use this truck for hauling stuff mostly (surf boards, kayaks, etc), camping, and is used as my daily commuter. Other than the hauling; my bed is empty and I have no heavy body mods atm. I occasionally do some off roading but its nothing serious as I live on an island...

I've done my fair share of research and asking around for more info but haven't really found any concrete info to go off of that share my issues/current build so here I am. I'm hoping TW can help me make this ride better and assist in my future purchases!

These are my current plans to buy to remedy the situation:
Fox 2.5 front coilovers w/ resi
Fox 2.0 rear shocks w/ resi
Remove 5 inch rear block and replace with AAL, leaf packs?...This is where I need help with suggestions as I'm not all that familiar with the different type of AAL/leaf packs available

Let me know any suggestions/insights/advice you guys have!

Mahalo!

PS-Originally I was going to just sell this truck and buy a stock tacoma. I even contemplated removing the DB...but due to personal and financial reasons I decided to stay with this truck.

 

Welcome to TW.

Your leaf pack is shot for sure, flat and no arch.

The leaf packs I'm familiar with, will get you 2-3" of lift in the rear. So, you won't be able to keep it at its current height back there without a block. For what you're trying to accomplish, look into to deaver, Alcan, or icon rxt leaf packs (old man emu not worth it in my opinion, go flat and squeek eventually), figure out which ones you want per your daily drive around weight. Say you'll get 2.5" out of the new pack, than you'd get a smaller block to make up the difference. You can get custom packs built by deaver and Alcan too and could call them for a consult. Basically ditch the flat pack and large block, and replace with a good pack and a smaller block. Hopefully that helps your thought process.

 

@whatstcp always has good advice

 

Were you reading and writing before I tagged you? Shit that was fast.

 

I'm not knowledgeable on the specifics of those lifts. For example, could it be converted to a 4.5" lift, by adding smaller spacers in the front, replacing the shot leaf pack, and adding a smaller block in back? Doubt it, but worth investigation. No clue, but if doable it'd be an improvement. I wonder if the cross member modifications are specific to 6" db lifts versus 4.5". Don't know.

 

I have wheel spacers to clear my break calipers but as far as Im aware; there is no spacers on my DB nor on the 5100s. I used this website: to search for P rated tires but it seems like most if not all 315/75r/16 tires are either E or D rated...am I looking in the wrong place?

 

go with D or C if you can find them. You wont find a P. But def removing those big blocks will help. The Fox Shocks will make a big improvement and you may need to run a block or get a custom leaf pack in the rear. there a few options if you want the better quality overall ditch any blocks/spacers. May not be the only reason but its def not helping. I have seen folks with 6" lift length shocks and custom packs in the rear and they are solid.

 

I will definitely try that. I was thinking the same...even if it means ill still have to stick with a block...having a smaller block and better leaf packs will make my ride better i hope.

Thats actually a good question as I also was wondering about this...would i be able to go lower than 6 inches of lift with a pro comp DB lift that was designed for 6 inches of lift? I wouldnt mind sitting at 4.5" if it was as easy as RR but I highly doubt that. Pretty sure I am stuck with this 6 inch DB lift without having to re-weld my cross member piece back (which I dont have because previous owner threw it away! "FACEPALM")! How do you know my front coilovers has spacers on top?

 

in your photo

 

I just posted a question to that and you answered it while I was typing. Thank you for mocking that up! I'm guessing the spacer is there because the 5100s weren't designed for that high of a lift?...If I get Fox 2.5 coilvers that were specifically for 6 inch lifts; will it have that ugly spacer on top?

 

Spacers circled.

 

Shit! Another helpful member, faster then me.

 

I'm guessing the spacer is there because the 5100s weren't designed for that high of a lift?...If I get Fox 2.5 coilvers that were specifically for 6 inch lifts; will it have that ugly spacer on top?

 

Great mind think alike. But yah spacers everywhere.

 

No, you will not if it's spec'd for the lift. usually, they make the lower mount longer to account for the difference in height. King, Fox etc have shocks spec'd for Dbracket lifts.

 

Worth investigating either way. IF the crossmember mods are the same and the difference is the size of the spacers/blocks, it'd be an easy/cheap conversion. There are probably differences between the cross member mods with a 6" versus 4 5" DB lift, but worth the reconnaissance in my opinion. I'm just not knowledgeable with the db specifics.

 

OP, he's right, and as he pointed out you can get a leaf pack for a 6" lift (never seen them myself), that way you loose all the spacers and blocks.

 

Thank you everyone for such quick responses and helpfulness! I will try all your suggestions. Please feel free to keep posting any other info that we may have missed or will come in handy.

 

Good luck and report back with what ended up being your resolution.

One last thing to consider, and this is not DB hating. How much is all of this going to cost, new coilovers and leaf pack, plus installation if your not doing it. It might be cheaper to pay a shop to remove the DB lift and weld your crossmember back together (a section was cut out and they could fab something from scratch likely). However, you'd need to make sure you can fit your 35s when you do this. You could probably get used OEM leaf pack (perhaps for free on here) and an add-a-leaf, etc. A lot to consider, but it depends on your long-term plan for your truck, the cheapest way for that long-term plan, and so on. So, if you intend on ever losing the DB lift, this would likely be the cheapest time to do so, before you buy shocks and leaf packs designed for a db lift that is.

 

i thought db lifts used different knuckles. they look like stock. does it make a difference. never owned a truck with one so that's why I'm asking. i know your bigger concern was the rear though.