Noob questions before moving 1000 miles.

Disclaimer: I don't know a whole lot about cars/trucks. Please forgive any noobish ignorance.

Hello all, I recently bought a 1999 Tacoma PreRunner, 130K miles. The previous owner took care of it and it runs well.
I'll be moving soon (~1000 mile drive) and this will be my only vehicle for a while, so I want to deal with any potentially serious issues before then. I'm not planning on doing any off-roading or heavy hauling/towing, just the occasional load of furniture, mulch, etc.
The only thing I've run into so far is a slight shudder when stopping or starting. My limited research indicated it might be the sagging leaf springs (pics below).

Questions:

Does it makes sense to just replace the leaf springs, or should anything else go with them? (e.g. shocks)
What products are recommended? (I was looking at General Spring, not sure about heavy duty or regular)
What else should I look at for potential problems? I can take more pictures if needed.

Thanks!

Here are the best pictures I could get showing the leaf spring sag.

 

I would not mess with the Leafs at this time. Just grease up the drive shaft, Check the LBJ's, make sure all fluids are good and go.

 

Fluids are good. I greased the 6 zerk fittings. Not sure how to check the LBJ's or what to look for.
You don't think the leafs will be an issue for a few more years?

 

At 130k, if original shocks, new ones would improve the ride.

 

There was a recall for replacement of Leaf Springs that included my 06 Tacoma. Check with a Toyota Dealer to see if that applies to your 1999. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

CHANGE THE BALL JOINTS

 

I just replaced Leaf springs on mine because of rust. SO expensive. If i was in your situation i would probably add a leaf. TORCH should make a bolt on kit for your truck and they are less that $100 on Amazon.

$75 TORCH 1.5"-2" Rear Add A Leaf Lift Kit for 1995-2023 Toyota Tacoma 2WD 4WD TRD SR5

https://www.amazon.com/TORCH-Rear-1995-2020-Toyota-Tacoma/dp/B082VKNYL5?crid=3O2QSYX2LPP2R&keywords=99+tacoma+torch+add+a+leaf&qid=1656279228&replacementKeywords=torch+add+a+leaf&sprefix=99+tacoma+torch+add+a+lea%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840&vehicle=1999-76-1037------------&vehicleName=1999+Toyota+Tacoma

Would be a good idea to replace the ubolts at the same time

 

It doesn't look like that applies to 1st gen. I put my VIN in their system and nothing came up. Worth checking though, thanks.

 

$75 isn't bad at all. Thanks!

 

If you don't know the history of the lower and upper ball joints, replace them with Genuine Toyota parts. Just google or search here on TW, 1st Gen lower ball joint failure. You'll thank yourself in the long run for replacing them.

 

I have seen those mentioned a lot. I will look into it some more, thanks.

 

When stopping, I presume when braking. If it shudders when you brake, nine time out of ten, its “warped” brake rotors. They’ve become un-true but people usually say they are warped. They can be checked with a micrometer. The solution is new rotors or re-surface the current ones.

If it shudders on acceleration, that can be harder to identify. Could be the leaf springs, but also a u-joint, center bearing, BJ, control arm bushings, and worst case, a transmission problem, like a bad torque converter.

 

I don't think it's the brakes, they were resurfaced at 123K miles.
The shudder happens when I come to a full stop at a medium deceleration, or come out of a full stop at medium acceleration. It doesn't happen if I slow down gradually or roll through a stop.

 

The number one issue I have run into on long trips are issues with the charging system (you’ll know when the red battery light on the dash comes on or comes in and out). For me it’s usually the alternator, sometimes the battery. I used to think this was dumb, but at this point I carry a spare alternator everywhere and the brushes as well for extra protection. Alternatively you could just make sure you have autozones and oreileys and Napas along your route, although then you’ll be at the mercy of their inventory and you won’t have time to get the Denso alternator that you should have.

 

Does shudder become more pronounce the harder you brake?

 

Not really. If I come to a very abrupt stop the shudder isn't noticeable over the deceleration itself.
I imagine if it were a brake problem I'd feel something any time I used the brakes, but this isn't the case. The shudder only happens when coming to a full stop at medium speed.
The shudder isn't really a continuous thing. It happens for less than a second.

 

Vibration due to braking can occur at any level of braking. But the shudder only lasting a second does point to something else. Could point to a loose caliper or guide pin but since brake job was done a while ago …

 

You don't want this to happen when driving down the road at any speed.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ball-joint-failure.769979/