Saggy Rear (my truck)

Is this true for the 2014 and 2015's as well? Mine has a 3+1 pack on it. I have had six, 50 lb bags of play sand back there with the bottom spring still showing unloaded and no sag. My feeling would be adding two more wouldn't have much of an effect on the rear ride height. The ride definitely improves with the added weight as well. Last winter I also filled up the bed with heavy wet snow whenever we got it. Slightly lower in the back than with just the sand bags, so I'm guessing 4-500 lbs of snow back there in the bed. Still not using the last leaf but definitely closer. The truck normally sits with a very sight upward rake unloaded.

 

On my 2011 the magic words were "harsh ride" Toyota replaced the rear springs night a day difference twice as heavy.

 

Note what I said "up until Nov 2013"

 

I don't recall the number but I got the 'blue' listed for a 2014 4x4. I got the rears and I liked them. Then I saw a sale on the fronts and got them. If I was ever to buy a new model, these would be my first of two purchases.

 

Gotcha, so it probably was NOT the shorter ones for the 3rd gens.

Are you running stock springs?

 

I do have the original springs. My Sumo's did provide a just a bit 'lift'; I don't know if that is the result of sagging springs or size of the Sumo. As a side benefit, front and rear Sumo's improve cornering, handling on curves and a semi's wind blast.

 

When I bought my truck used a couple years ago, it had TSB springs that were almost new and a camper shell really made the rear sag. I didn’t like the idea of riding around on inverted springs so I went with the general HD springs to get a lift too, but they do have an SD option. Not sure if the SD retain their shape more than the OEM springs but I’m guessing they do.

 

Understood: My question was intended as more of a general broadcast for the forum population here to see if anyone might have knowledge of what flavor the springs were on the last two years of generation 2.

I'll go through Toyota the parts catalogs for 2014 and 15 trucks and see how the numbers compare with the earlier years. If they are different, I know a couple of people who can tell me what the specific differences are... and maybe even why things changed in 2014. I'm curious because as stated earlier, my 2014 doesn't sag, even with 3-500 pounds in the bed. I also dismantled a HUGE pressure-treated swing set with attached playhouse, slide and all the goodies and hauled it the transfer station in town. It was way overbuilt and --heavy--. (Manufactured by "Creative Playthings".) Improved the ride: but no sag. YMMV

 

Nov of 2013 they started doing the driveline vibration TSB which involved getting various different springs (all the same 3+1 springs but with different degree wedges).

 

Thanks much for that information! Really appreciate it. I have this little sticker on my driver's side door-jam. Not certain, but I always assumed it's related to the spring TSB and it gives me a chuckle when I see it: "I lost 7 lbs, but still no sag!"

I'll research the "wedges" variations: Maybe it helped reduce the sag issue too as a side bonus. My truck is currently at 116,000 miles.



The passenger side rear spring has this marking on it. Hieroglyphics to me, but someone may be able to translate it.

 

One of the alignment shop I go to told me Toyota has a recall for the 2nd gen rear leaf spring being sag. TSB has a recall on this but they won’t send out the recall letter because it’s not a safety recall. They will replace/fix the leaf spring for free if you tell them it’s sagging/bottom out when load w/ a heavy load. They did it for free for my 2007 Tacoma. It lift the rear about an inch or so. Be ready to lift the front or else. Your truck now has that crazy rake looking.

 

Is your 2013 subject to the recall for leaf springs replacement. My 06 was and were replaced by Toyota at no cost to me.

 

My 06 also had leaf springs replaced for free from Toyota.

 

No, since my model is a sport it already came with the 3+1 packs installed from the factory. It’s is my understanding starting in 2012 or 2013 all trucks were supplied with the new 3+1 packs. All models excluding sports made prior to 2012/13 were eligible for the tsb replacement packs which are essentially Trd sport 3+1 packs. I could be wrong but that’s the interpretation I have gotten so far. I’m replacing my current broken packs with 3rd gen Trd off road packs that already have aal’s installed.

 

Are there any good aftermarket spring packs that are stock height? I have the 3+1 on my 06 and the leafs are inverted. I’m not looking to lift it just yet, but do want to improve load capacity.

 

Im not sure about mainstream aftermarket but I’m sure somebody else will chime in.
I can offer two suggestions though.

1: See if you have a custom spring shop near you. They can either rearc your tired springs, rebuild you current packs or build you a custom set.

2: Buy a set of 3rd gen take offs. They can be had for very little. Price range is usually free to 200ish.

 

When I first got my 07 Tacoma (2wd), the rear sagged pretty good with any load in the bed (have a fiberglass cap too) so one of the first things I installed was Firestone Ride-Rite air bags. The small air compressor and gauge/valve are mounted in one of the covered side -in the bed. Really helps with loads and ride height. I keep it at 20psi for normal ops and add more air for heavy loads. Downside is that you can't raise the truck by the frame...need to support the axle or the bags can get stressed and rip...need to remember this when taking to a shop and hope they don't screw up.

Sometime adding air bags can be cheaper/easier than replacing tired springs.

 

You can add cradles. Prevents the bags from tearing while off-roading or while on a lift. Bags are only attached on one end vs both.

 

Didn't know that. Thanks for the info. Will look into it.

 

No problem.

Airbags and Cradles discussed in this thread if you are looking for an additional read.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-firestone-riderite-lift-thread.279865/