Bottoming out

Have you guys noticed when you load the bed with whatever (somewhat heavy load), you go over a speed bump, you feel the truck bottom out? (You know compressing the shocks all the way)

I have a long bed, so I don't know if it's more of an issue with that vs a short bed.

Would a lift kit help out?

 

There's a technical service bulletin for that. Do a quick search on "rear spring tsb"

 

+1

 

This ^^^^^

Or buy a Canadian Tacoma

 

He has an '07. No TSB for him.

An AAL will solve your problem.

 

True dat , I didn't notice the year of his truck on my phone .

 

I hear ya. You lose a lot with the mobile site but sure works better on a phone.

 

I had the same problem on my truck since I bought it new. I missed the TSB and first added an AAL. Since my factory leaf pack was shot the toytec AAL that I added only worked for about a year before I was bottoming out again. An AAL will only give you some lift and will only work if your factory leaf pack still has some strength. Mine didn't and I end up replacing the whole leaf pack with a OME Dakar leaf pack. I have only had it on for about a week and have been really happy with the strength so far. No more bottoming out even with a heavy load and towing. The Dakar leaf pack does give you some rear lift so you would have to lift the front unless you want to sit ass high. I have 5100's in the front set at 1.85 inches of lift. The Dakar leaf pack says it will give you about 2.75 inches inthe back. I currently sit with a little forward rake but when I tow she sits level.

 

Thanks for the update, though I think I'm out of luck. Bought mine in 07 new and it now has about 70K miles on it.

So I have to cough up money for new shocks?

 

You will most likely need new shocks and an AAL/leaf pack/air bags. I replaced my shocks last week when I replaced the leaf pack and they were both blown. I have about 78k on the truck.

 

Buy an add-a-leaf.

 

If you don't mind telling (or you can PM me), what am I looking at price wise?

 

Just an example of what you can get

 

The Dakar leaf pack was about $560 for the leaf pack, drive shaft spacer, and new U-Bolts. I know the 5100's are really hard to get b/c most places have them on backorder. But as listed above they run about $350 for the front and rear. If you have the money and can do it get the leaf pack, dont get the AAL. It sounds like your leaf pack is shot already and the AAL will just temporarily fix the problem.

 

Just to add to the conversation a bit, my company truck is an 09 5 lug regular cab and is loaded down all the time. It bottoms out every time I go over a speed bump, sometimes just a dip in the road will do it too. Annoying, but after 50K miles of this, no damage to the truck. It just rides like a loaded truck I think.

My 06 4x4 rides fine with a camper shell and a couple hundred pounds in the bed. I have had 800-1000 pounds in the bed and it will behave the same as my work truck with that load. I could see it being an issue if I had a boat to tow or something like that, but for occasional hauling I really don't see the need to spend 600 bucks to "fix" it.

Guess I just wanted to say that you're not damaging anything if you leave it the way it is.

 

I wonder if new shocks would do the job?

 

The rear shocks do not support any weight, they will not help your situation. Another option would be air bags or something like Timbren bump stops. Keep your eye out on here for someone selling a TSB pack also, you might be able to pick one up at a reasonable price. The TSB leaf pack is a Toyota leaf pack and is standard on Canadian trucks or would have been installed on a US truck if the owner complained to the dealership about bottoming out. It's got an extra leaf so it supports weight better. As mentioned above, an AAL is a cheap option and will get you by for a while, but it's only a temporary fix.

 

Solved my '05 truck's bottoming out with Ride Rite Air Springs (Bags)... They worked fantastic... and you can adjust the firmness/ height with a quick change of air pressure... I also changed the stock Bilstein shocks in back with 5100's...

My 2010 truck stock suspension does not bottom out, so they solved the soft spring issue (at least on the truck I got)!

 

When my old Taco's rear springs broke, I went to a spring shop. They cut me 4 springs for each side. Granted it was in early 08, but he charged me something like $29 for the shortest spring and close to $39 for the longest spring. Its been years ago.

I cant remember the exact price total, but it was less than $200 for each side. 4 springs, new U bolts and bump stops. Im sure its more now, but that was my experience.

 

Called the dealer earlier today and talked to the service department. The good news is that he immediately volunteered the info about the service bulletins issued. I told him the milage and asked if that would be a factor, he said it might not be, but they have to look at it.

I'm taking it in the morning and we'll see what happens. Hope they cover it.