Need some advice after installing a Topper.

Hi guys, i just picked up an ARE topper. The weight of the topper is a little bit on heavy side. I feel like the rear suspension is sagging and working a lot. I noticed the sway bar is working a lot during turning. Is this gonna affect the Tire wear in the long run?

What options do i have? Do i need to upgrade to a better shocks? I don't really want to lift my truck. Just want to keep it stock. But it i need to. I guess i ll do a 2 inch liift. any suggestions and advice will definitely help.

 

My truck has air bags on the rear suspension, so I just adjusted air pressure when I installed the Leer topper. I also pre installed some bed stiffeners to prevent the bed from distorting.

 

Oh and welcome to Tacoma world.

 

Thank you. I will look into the air bags and bed stiffener.

 

Any recommendation on bed stiffeners? Can i DiY an air bags? Or better to get it professionally installed?

 

Second Gens had a TSB issued early on for weak springs, and if the owner complained about the truck bottoming out, they would add a helper leaf at no charge. I had mine done and it made a huge difference. We also had a rear spring recall a few years ago. Apparently they were having an issue with some of the springs breaking. You should check and to see if your truck has the replacement springs. The recall is no cost to the owner.

 

Recall was for 05-11 model years. The air bags we’re already on my truck when I bought it, I believe they are made by Firestone, probably a fairly easy dyi. Bed stiffeners vary in price, I bought mine on eBay, I think they were under $100.

 

Best is to replace your springs because the stock are crap. I got a helper spring, actually a set of used stock springs with a helper on it and swapped mine out. That worked for about a year and then I got Icon RTX springs because I wanted a 2" lift. Keep an eye out in the marketplace for used sets or helpers, they come up for decent prices a lot.

 

Thank you guys. This is very helpful.

 

I got the TSB leaf springs and then after I installed my OVRLND camper had some sag-installed Firestone Ride-Rite airbags (which was planned as I was looking for a truck camper) and have been very happy with the setup. The camper does not stay on full time so didn’t want to go with a heavier capacity leaf pack as the ride may have been too stiff when the camper was not on the truck. Now I can adjust via the airbags when the camper is on, can adjust when the camper is loaded up, and can air back down when the camper is off, maintaining the rear height and not blinding oncoming traffic with headlights aimed up when the rear end squats. I did the airbag install myself and would not say it’s overly difficult but not what I would call easy either. Some will say it’s easy but everyone’s skills vary.

 

Thanks that really helps

 

Sumo springs cheap easy and have a money back promise

 

My truck cap weighs about 180 lbs. It's been on there for 16 years and my truck doesn't sag. As part of a recall Toyota replaced my rear springs at 200,000 miles. That was 37,000 miles ago. It didn't sag before and still doesn't.

 

Yep, the shells aren't that heavy that you should notice it if you aren't carrying anything else, something else is going on with your suspension.

I've got an ARE CX shell, but also an OME (Old Man Emu) suspension so no help there.

 

CaliRaised bed stiffiners is what I've had on my truck for several years now. I used a ratchet strap and gently sinched in the sides of the bed while installing them. As for the RAS, I've had them on my last 3 trucks. On my 97 Dakota extended cab 4x4 and my 2000 Dakota quad cab 4x4, the RAS worked as it was designed, so when I bought my 2007 Tacoma Prerunner AC, I put the RAS on it as well. It wasn't long before the pre-recall springs were sagging even with the RAS. When the recall leaf packs were put on, the RAS went back on along with a set of blue SumoSprings. The sumo springs (SS) are easy to install and maintenance free. Zero sag and no jaw breaking, teeth shattering bottoming out either

Disclaimer: Along with the Leer Cap (180-200lbs) I carry quite a bit of gear in crates all the time. The sumo springs really come into play when I haul my woods bike on a hitch carrier or two bikes with a utility trailer. I've even been known to throw a roof top cargo carrier on the cap for those extended outings.

 

Air bags aren't the answer unless you carry heavy loads some times and not others. Air bags are for adjustable load control, not lifting the bed due to constant load. That's what springs are literally made for.

Just get an add-a-leaf. It'll bring the rear back up. Way cheaper than airbags.

 

Thank you guys for all you're input. It really helps. Does somebody have the correct part number for the Add a lef and the Sumospring? I think im gonna go that way first. I also think i can do it. Just need to kmow how to do it and proper torque for the bolts.

i checked the Sumospring. Theres a lot of blue ones for 4wd Tacoma. Im just not sure which one is the right one. Also the Add a leaf. Is that an OEM or i can do the Icon add a leaf?
Can someone help me with the part number. I would greatly apreciate it. Thank you guys.