1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Another What rear suspension for me!

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by mattg43, Mar 22, 2011.

  1. Mar 22, 2011 at 8:59 AM
    #1
    mattg43

    mattg43 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2011
    Member:
    #51640
    Messages:
    845
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner SR5 DC
    SwingCase, driver side. PVC Bike rack. Aftermarket stereo.
    I have an 08, just over 40K. Bought it certified pre-owned(still under the 3K warranty), so I am going to try to get the TSB rear springs, but I am not holding out too much hope. I will know more on Friday.

    Assuming I do not get the TSB leaf - What should I do?

    Truck is 90% highway daily driver. I semi-regularly will have a couple hundred lbs in the bed, but rarely over 200lbs in camping gear, bikes, etc.

    Occasional (hopefully never) will have a motorcycle in the bed, and also some towing. I dont have my own trailer, so for the time being, I am borrowing one of my dads. Usually it will be a 16' dual axle, weighing about 1200-1500lbs. Sunday I towed a pallet of pavers (672 5.5x5.5", total weight of 3000lbs) so a total of about 4200-4500lbs. Had them loaded properly, weight over the axles. Truck was bouncing around like crazy at speeds under 30mph, but seemed to smooth out a bit once a bit faster, with less "around town bumps".

    Was nose-high in this configuration, and think a stiffer/stronger rear end, along with some bilstein shocks will go a long ways to helping.

    I expect to get Bilsteins all around, probably set at .85 or max of 1.75 up front to keep the ride nice for the commute, so I dont really want more than 1.5-2" of lift. I just want a stiffer rear end for loads, a better ride (if possible). I was thinking of a progressive AAL pack, but read I would lose payload and towing capacity - I do not want to do this. I may get a small camper in the future, and want to keep the towing/tongue weight capacity up.

    So, all that said, what are my best options, and will I be better off with shocks other than the 5100s?
     
  2. Mar 22, 2011 at 9:41 AM
    #2
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    "better ride"

    "more cargo capacity"

    Pick one only.

    You could add an add-a-leaf to the back, or some air bags, to help with stabilizing the load and towing.
     
  3. Mar 22, 2011 at 9:45 AM
    #3
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Part of the reason you were bouncing around might have been because of the way the trailer was loaded. I may have just misunderstood you but you said the load was over the axles... You should have at least 60% of the weight in front of the trailer axles. Centering the load over the trailer axles is not the correct way to load a trailer and can cause that bouncy ride and swaying. This doesn't help your case since you said you were nose high even in this configuration. Do you have the proper drop for the hitch ball to accomodate the lifted truck?
    You could always put a set of air bags to level the truck out. Those would significantly reduce sagging when loaded. There was a recent product review thread on Ride-Rites where the member who had them was very happy with the results he got. Also, from what I've read, the single AAL's are better suited for load carrying than progressive rate 3 leaf AALs.
     
  4. Mar 22, 2011 at 10:11 AM
    #4
    mattg43

    mattg43 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2011
    Member:
    #51640
    Messages:
    845
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner SR5 DC
    SwingCase, driver side. PVC Bike rack. Aftermarket stereo.
    I was afraid of that. So the TSB leaf is probably my best bet for compromise, with AAL next. I had an AAL in my old Jeep, I can deal with the ride.


    The pallet of pavers is only 33" x 44", and it was slightly forward (I guess mostly over the front of the 2 axels) for a slight forward bias. With that being 3000lbs, and the trailer tongue weight already about 200lbs, I did not want to put it too much further forward.

    This was one of those small heavy loads that was not only limiting in size, but also the fork lift they had available to load the pallet on the trailer.

    I guess I will probably go with the AAL, and borrow my dads dodge if I need to tow anything much bigger. Normally I will not tow more than a small camper, or a smaller utility trailer.

    Will any shocks do better with the AAL?
     
  5. Mar 22, 2011 at 10:30 AM
    #5
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Gotcha, just wanted to make sure you're loaded up correctly since it can make a big difference in the way the truck handles the load.

    As far as the shocks, I'll let you know, I just got my 5100's yesterday and will be installing this weekend! They're certainly not your only choice though, just a popular one and most people see to like them. I know Old Man Emu's Nitrochargers are another popular option that gets good reviews. People have listed pros and cons for each, I finally just chose one...
     

Products Discussed in

To Top