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    Quick Links: 5100 lift help!!??? please... Leaf Springs that will give me 3" lift on a double cab? Shockwarehouse.com - anybody else having problem contacting them? Bushing press for XAXIS replacement on SPC UCAs? Lift options on my budget? Sanity check on lift kit choices

Suggestions Appreciated...Leafs Possibly Flattened

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011.

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  1. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:17 PM
    #1
    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello Everyone,

    I recently purchased a '98 Tacoma Pre-Runner with 105,000 miles after selling my beloved '07 FJ Cruiser trying to "consolidate debt."

    I have been searching the forum for days now and cannot find an answer or solution to what I am looking for. I have gone through the Tacoma and replaced all fluids and performed the 90K, 100k, and 105K maintenances per the Toyota service manual. I thought all was well until I loaded the truck up with a 1/2 cord of wood and realized that over the slightest dip I was hitting the bump stops. I am not planning on any offroading with the vehicle, but my wife and I love to camp. After the wood was unloaded it was replaced with our camping gear. Cruising down the freeway, the Tacoma was swaying and hitting the bump stops on dips. Once we hit the trail leading to the campground it was the same story. After we got home, I unloaded the Tacoma and took a look at the leaf springs, I never paid much attention to them before, but they are looking a little flat.

    I am not necessairly looking to lift the vehicle, but I would like it to be level and able to carry our caming gear without issue (it also has a SnugTop Canopy). I had planned on replacing the shocks, but it seems I will need to do something else as well.

    I would appreciate any input you may have. Please keep in mind that I would also like to keep it "budget friendly" hence the original debt consolidation. Also I have been experiencing some axle wrap if that helps with the reccomendations.

    I included a picture of the leaf springs for assisstance.

    IMAG0096.jpg
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
    #1
  2. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:20 PM
    #2
    YellowDog01

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    YellowDog01 Well-Known Member

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    The 4 leaf pack from Wheeler's does not give any lift but it does give you a lot better leafs. Look into these. Good luck!
     
    YellowDog01, Jul 4, 2011
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  3. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:27 PM
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    stunt man hans

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    stunt man hans DISPLACED VIKING LIVING IN WYOMING

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    at the very least an add a leaf is in order though that may not be the only problem and i'm not sure if that would even do the trick seeing as they are flat as a pancake lol.

    a new leaf pack may be in order but, that would def be the costlier option. hopefully someone else can chime in for you. hope this helps a little not sure what i know you can get a complete lift for around 3 to 4 hundred dollars. good luck
     
    stunt man hans, Jul 4, 2011
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  4. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:29 PM
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    YellowDog01

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    YellowDog01 Well-Known Member

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    An Add a leaf will just be a waste of $70 in the long run IMO. Those leafs are shot like a lot of 1st gen. leafs.
     
    YellowDog01, Jul 4, 2011
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  5. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:30 PM
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    stunt man hans

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    stunt man hans DISPLACED VIKING LIVING IN WYOMING

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    welcome to tw its a great site filled with info about our trucks. i have a set of factory shocks off of my 2010 reg cab not sure if they would work for you or not? i would be willing to give you both the fronts and the rears if it would help your situation out.
     
    stunt man hans, Jul 4, 2011
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  6. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:31 PM
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    stunt man hans

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    stunt man hans DISPLACED VIKING LIVING IN WYOMING

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    i figured as much. just going for the cheapest option for the guy thats all.
     
    stunt man hans, Jul 4, 2011
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  7. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:33 PM
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    YellowDog01

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    YellowDog01 Well-Known Member

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    I wish it could be a cheap fix. I had to pull the trigger on new leafs just 2 weeks ago. It's not cheap, but it's worth it for these trucks!
     
    YellowDog01, Jul 4, 2011
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  8. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:37 PM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have been looking at the Wheeler's leaf packs, but it was on the costlier side.

    I have also been looing at the AAL systems out there, many options, but like YellowDog01 said, I don't want to waste $70.
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
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  9. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:40 PM
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    Norton

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    Norton Senior Member

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    x2! Don't waste your money delaying the inevitable.
    x2.
    I went with their 5-leaf pack, and am very pleased with it. While I have no first-hand experience with the 4-leaf pack, I'm sure it's similar in quality. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
     
    Norton, Jul 4, 2011
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  10. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:41 PM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the welcome, the forum is an invaluable tool. Also thanks for your consideration regarding the shocks.
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
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  11. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:45 PM
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    MTgirl

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    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    1st gens are notorious for having weak suspensions.

    an AAL will help short term, as will having a shop re-arch your existing springs. but the more that you carry weight in the bed the faster those quick fixes will wear out. you may be on a budget but would you rather spend $$ money now knowing that you will have to spend $$$$ later?

    also check the condition of your shocks - if they are worn out that could explain the swaying and swerving.

    and check the steering rack bushings, they can wear out and cause sloppy steering. replacing them will make the steering much more responsive.
     
    MTgirl, Jul 4, 2011
    #11
  12. Jul 4, 2011 at 7:55 PM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am not looking for a short term fix, so it is sounding like a replacement leaf pack is the way to go. Aslo, I do plan on replacing the shocks as well...any suggestions for my type of application?

    I found these on sale today...any thoughts:
    $281 Skyjacker Softride 2.5" Rear Leaf Spring - TCR25S
    http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...=1&t_s=399&t_pt=4113&t_pl=3825&t_pn=SKYTCR25S
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
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  13. Jul 4, 2011 at 8:01 PM
    #13
    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Also, by replacing the rear leaf springs, will I have to replace the front coil springs as well?
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
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  14. Jul 4, 2011 at 8:07 PM
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    MTgirl

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    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    You do realize that that price is for a single leaf pack? So double for the pair=same price as the wheeler's leafs?

    No experience with the skyjacker leafs but I like my set from wheelers...

    not necessarily. you can do new leafs and new shocks but reuse the coil springs...you just won't see as much of a lift in the front.

    a few threads that might be helpful to you...

    my personal journey into the world of suspension upgrades

    and our first wheelers group buy

    and the 2nd group buy

    a lot of BS in there but some useful info too :rolleyes:
     
    MTgirl, Jul 4, 2011
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  15. Jul 4, 2011 at 8:08 PM
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    2008taco

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    2008taco Well-Known Member

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    If your truck was unloaded during that pic you definitely need new leafs. I wouldn't bother with any used ones off a 1st gen because they're going to be nearly as old as yours and are going to go out soon too. The good news is the new leafs will last you a good 10+ years.
     
    2008taco, Jul 4, 2011
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  16. Jul 4, 2011 at 8:20 PM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately, the truck was unloaded.
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
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  17. Jul 4, 2011 at 9:44 PM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Any recommendations on a good package? Everything I am putting together is about $1000.00, I would like to stay well below that price range.

    Also, what about the Firestone or AirLift packages?
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 4, 2011
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  18. Jul 5, 2011 at 6:24 AM
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    YellowDog01

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    YellowDog01 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I'm getting my 5 leaf pack installed today :D

    If you are not satisfied with the load capacity of the 4 leaf pack, there is an Add a leaf designed for that leaf pack. Same with the 5 leaf pack.

    OP, give Wheeler's a call...Dan is really helpful and I'm sure you can find what you need. They were really kind to me- I didn't want the Dakar leaf pack with my OME 881s-I wanted the Wheeler's 5 leaf pack and they gladly switched it out and it ended up to be less money for the whole setup!
     
    YellowDog01, Jul 5, 2011
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  19. Jul 5, 2011 at 1:44 PM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    cobb.bd, Jul 5, 2011
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  20. Jul 6, 2011 at 10:04 AM
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    cobb.bd

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    cobb.bd [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm thinking...Dakar Leafs with Bilstien 5100 all the way around...thoughts or objections?
     
    cobb.bd, Jul 6, 2011
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Skyjacker Softride 2.5" Rear Leaf Spring - TCR25S
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