Suspension TSB... what does it mean to me?

I just bought an 08 Doublecab Tacoma Prerunner/SR5 last week. Do all Tacomas have this problem or is it hit or miss? Since I've been out of a truck for awhile, how will I know if my Tacoma needs the work?

 

Hi. If you have a 3 leaf spring pack you are elligible for the TSB. They will change out the 3 leaf setup to a 4 leaf setup and install 4 new bilstein shocks. If you haul or are planning to haul anything heavy, or you do any towing I would have it done. There is couple of threads on here dealing with how to go about having it approved. I just had it done and the truck feels great, not much different from stock, just a little firmer. Hope this helps you.

 

About the only thing heavy that I'll haul is my new Snuglid tonneau cover when it arrives. I do not even have a tow hitch. Would the 4 leaf setup and bilstein shocks be overkill?

I have the 3 leaf setup. The letters "CHI" are stenciled on the spring in white letters. I do NOT have the TRD package.

 

Overkill, no. Do you need it, probably not, should you get it, probably. I don't have the TRD either, so they will give you the 4 leafs and replace all 4 of your shocks with Bilstein shocks giving you the same setup as TRD except I heard the coils are different, but I don't know for sure (I'm sure someone can elaborate). Definately better shocks all the way around, which is the main reason I am getting it. I haul a quad a few times a year, mine isn't too bad yet but has bottomed out on rough roads with a load.

 

Will the weight of my Snuglid tonneau cover "balance" the TSB suspension upgrade?

The truck rides nice now as is from the factory but I am concerned that the constant weight of the tonneau cover/lid will have a bad influence on the ride if I do NOT get the TSB suspension work done.

Should I have the work done BEFORE the lid is installed? If I brought it to Toyota with the lid installed in the 3-leaf configuration, could Toyota use this as ammunition against me and say that I've made and aftermarket upgrade/change/whatever?

I realize that the lid is fairly light as it is made fiberglas.

 

Toyota can't use your lid as ammo, dealers add shells & lids all the time so that isn't an issue. The ride will be more "truck like" and they'll tell you that. Mine wasn't a TRD either, just a plain SR5 4WD, but it did bottom out when I towed or had a cabin full of passengers so I opted to do it. The leafs settle after awhile. If you were getting a full shell, it probably would help with rear sag, but you said the lid is fairly light.

I'm glad I did it fwiw, only you can decide though for the ride will change.

 

Its FREE why wouldn't you get it done? Anytime someone let alone a stealership gives you something free of charge (My invoice said $1500 worth of repairs) Do it, you will be happy you did. I know i am.

 

With the suspension upgrade, will the rear-end feel "light" and bounce alot?

That was a problem I had with my 03 Double Cab Prerunner. I'd hit a bump and the back end would bounce so bad that it felt as if the whole rear end was off the ground. This was WITH a tonneau cover/lid and problem 50 - 60 lbs of stuff in the bed at all times. The 03 was NOT a TRD.

I like the "cush" ride my 08 has now with the 3-leaf arrangement but am concerned that the tonneau cover/lid and stuff in the rear will make the rear end lower and impact the ride and handling.

I've also noticed that my 08's brakes seem somewhat "soft". Is that related to the suspension TSB as well?

 

Anyone know if the dealer will honor the TSB on a second owner truck. Thinking of buying an 08 SR5 4wd, and would like stiffer shocks, springs.

The only thing I think I really need is the LSD/ockers, which I can buy aftermarket, when I later upgrade the rest of the suspension, bumpers, winch etc.

Suggestions on that would be appreciated- many good builds here, thanks for the info.

 

The factory warrantees should be transferred from owner to owner when it's under the original 3/36. They should honer it.

If you are past the original 3/36 warrantee - they'll order up the parts and do the work for you but you'll have to pay for all of it.

 

X2

They should've put these leaf springs on the trucks to begin with. Truck handles much better with the TSB Springs.

 

Yeah no kidding. That's $1500 please.....That sucks, I have 44,000 miles on mine. I would do it myself but Toyota wants $485 for each spring. Sheeeesh... No TSB for me. No spending $1500 either. I guess I'll live without.

 

imo it was worth all the agrivation,my truck rides so much better even with nothing in the bedthe difference is night and day .JT

 

Was the problem corrected for the '09 models?

 

From the threads I have read they are still shipping all the US trucks with the old 3 leaf packs, most likely they are hoping that the guy that bought a truck really wanted a soft car ride but bought a Truck that he will never haul anything in and notice that the springs are crap

 

Go with an AAL instead. MUCH cheaper and similar result.

 

Wish I was under warranty still