Rides like a chuck wagon

Absolutely replace both leaf springs.

Rear shocks aren't expensive, probably best to go ahead & replace those too at the same time. Be sure your mechanic friend helps you pick shocks of the correct length. I.e. shock length needs to match whatever lift your springs (and/or blocks) add to the rear.

 

When I go back to stock, I guess I can't leave the 285/70-17 on there uh?

 

Ditch the heavy tire/wheel combo. A lighter set will move more easily and transfer less inertia to the frame. New tires also ride smoother than old ones. Suspension lift can make it stiffer but not if it’s just a body lift.

 

Yea, if you go back to stock suspension components you'll most likely have a lot of tire rubbing w/ the 285s.

 

"Once upon a time" a Uniroyal engineer conducting engineering tests my employer was involved in, said "50% of any vehicle suspension is the tire". I've never seen him proven wrong. Once you have that situation figured out, you might consider changing some steel parts. Pressure, carcass flexibility and sidewall height will make some very noticeable changes in the ride of a truck.

 

good that you posted pics so that broken leaf could get spotted

i will say though that the stock tacoma suspension is just north of garbage. A *very* nice upgrade is the bilstein 6100/5160 combo, new leafs + p-rated tires/lightweight wheel combo. That's about the best you can reasonable expect from the taco

 

Yes, @groran , you're going to have to pick between big tires & customized suspension with lift, vs. stock-size tires and a plain/stock size suspension without lift. Depends on your budget, basically. Not cheap either way (unless you are using used tires,) since simply switching back to stock tires alone adds at least another $800 or so to the overall cost.

 

Another option would be to replace the broken part ( and the other side too).
Then take an extended test drive. It's possible your issue might be resolved.
Those 5100's don't look too old.

Then determine which direction to go.

 

Great idea, cheap too eh? thanks

 

When I had my 2021 Kawasaki KRZ1000 side by side, it had these adjustable Fox shocks on it, and man the ride was out of this world over the same ruts I discussed earlier with the taco. I see the setup for my truck for Fox with reservoirs is about $5000, are they worth it for the off-road ride? Then there is I think vertex or something like that and I also see there are KING setups. What's the best bang for the money with these types of setups or other suggestions for cheaper with close to the premium ride?

 

There was a recall for this. If it was already done then the new set rusted out. Can happen on any truck.

that being said a good leafpack and good shock is going to ride better than parts that are not.

you get what you pay for so the quality is going to depend on the price and what you want to spend on it.

 

Keep in mind the side by side probably had double the suspension travel as the Taco (at least), and no amount of bolt on coilovers and shocks is going to make up for that.

 

+1 on the new leafpack. You might also check your power steering reservoir level - it looks like there may be a leak in the rack.

 

As a dakar owner, Id point him to Deaver. Between the truck already W-ing out the springs at what feels like a premature tineframe and the squeaking...oh god the SQUEAKING...id say theres better options.

They do ride well and are a good product but heed the TW warnings from many members about the noise they make once they get some dirt up in them.

 

deavers do the same thing

 

Yeah and they cost like double.
Deavers are great dont get me wrong, but my dakars dont squeek and i live down a dirt road. On occasion they’ve squeaked over the years i just blast the grit out at the car wash and it’s good to go