Adding extra rear leaf questions

Hey guys I'm a new owner of a 2002 4x4 SR5 Taco, and have a few noobie questions. I work as a stone mason and regularly load 1,000lbs of stone into the bed of my truck. I used to own a 87 toyota pick-up (pre-tacoma) and it handled it fine. It seems like the newer tacoma leafs and shocks are not as beefy as they used to make them. I notice significant sagging all the way to the overloads at around 750lbs.

I am wondering about a cheap way to beef up the suspension. I have heard of some people adding leafs. Can I add one or 2? If I add 2 leafs do I need to add shocks to match? I want to beef up the rear suspension without messing anything up with the stock angles. Thanks everybody!

-Cedar

 

Not sure on how cheap, but it sounds like you need some of these.
http://www.northwestoffroad.com/parts/2stage.php

 

That does seem like a route I could take. I was hoping not to have to replace the whole unit, and just add a single leaf. Would that change the wear/tear on the front shocks? Or would it make the rear end lighter/ more likely to fishtail when empty?

Thanks for the tip.

 

I ran that NWOR setup for a few years and they were STOUT! I'd say too stout. I would have 1000 lbs in the back and they would barely squat at all. Offroad, I had a hard time getting them to flex as well. I hear that, once they are broken in, they get more compliant and develop a more comfortable ride, but they were just too "HD" for my rig.

I ended up changing to an Alcan 8 leaf pack with a custom spring rate set for a stock rig +200 lbs at all times. I like it a lot better because it handles all the weight I can throw at it, but it will still flex off road. Also, the ride quality is much better.

To give you a picture of how the Alcan's are...

Here's no weight in the bed:


Here's 500 lbs in the bed:


Here's a pic with 950 lbs in the bed... it doesn't squat much at all:


For $550, I think a custom pack is a pretty good deal.

 

http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-237hd.htm

They told me to expect a little more than a inch after they settle. A add a leaf is not going to help a already sagging leaf pack. It may for awhile but not very long. Bolt on helper springs are available also but for what you do id swap the hole pack.

 

My truck has a towing AAL in the rear and it rides SUPER stiff. Probably going to end up taking it out.

 

Hey guys I know its been a while, but its been a busy month. Anyway this is what ended up happening. While I was still mulling over what to do, I was driving with a full load >800lbs and I snapped one of the leafs in the right leaf kit! (pic above)

So I ended up ordering 2 new leaf kits (figured do both sides) and having a local shop custom fabricate an added leaf (thicker steel than toyota's) and replacing the shocks with heavy duty shocks (2" further travel, and 1" further compression). Future mod, I think id like to have all the leafs be thicker steel (maybe one of those NWOR kits).

Truck sits great now and handles the load fine! I've got it all loaded up now with gear and ready for my road trip to Alaska! Thanks for the ideas guys!

 

Yikes. Well I guess that answers if for you.

When I got my truck my leaf springs were kinda droopy so I got an AAL. A year and half later I wish I'd just replaced the leaf packs.

It does still help when I load it up with 1,300 pounds of scuba gear and passengers but not as much as it used to.

I think next year I'll replace them altogether.