Installed a flatbed on my taco

True working truck

 

Thanks

 

Just out of curiosity do your tires rub on the underside when going over large bumps or when it's weighted down? Before I put the AAL in mine it used to rub the underside of the bed at mild articulation. Seems to be the main issue with a true FLAT bed with no wheel arches.

 

The hellwig 981 spring helper lifted the rear about 1.5" and the tires dont rub on big bumps. before it rubbed a little on big bumps. It all depends on how you mount the flat bed height. since it was my first time I winged it but so far it works fine. As far as heavy loads I would probably put about 500 lbs of feed but nothing more than that.

 

Mind I still have stock springs....however if I upgrade to heavy duty 7 pack leafs then I can put a bigger load.

 

Sounds about the same as mine. Almost put spacers to lift the bed up an inch or so, but the AAL lifted it enough. Heaviest I put in mine is an old honda fourtrax atv. Even at that it sags the rear end big time. Pretty sad leaf springs on these Tacos lol.

 

I think it might look better in a long bed and some new wheels. But it's still pretty f'in cool.

 

The do have a recall on them but havent received the 2nd remedy notification on when to take the truck for replacement springs.

 

^ +1 on some new wheels as well, would look really nice.

 

You know I always wanted a long bed but at the time it was hard to find one at a good price. I got mine a 09 with 100,000 miles for 15k in austin tx, and only one previous owner and they took care of it so I jumped on the deal.

 

Looks really nice!

 

I actually had the recall for the springs done when I got a new frame. Honestly the new springs seem weaker if anything. They ride a lot better, but sag with anything significant in the bed.

 

You got a good deal on the truck too, that truck around here is a 18-20k truck easily. And that's not even dealer pricing. Clean first gens are still 5 digits here.

 

I dont like these springs because they cant handle weight well. the truck drives like a car now that I put the spring helper. The stock springs create alot of axle wrap and wear out your carrier bearing. The helper springs it will stop the axle wrap or minimize it greatly. Mines about worn already. Rockauto sells it for $41.

 

Yeah good point, my carrier is smoked, squeaks terribly at anything under 15 mph. But it's original with 172k on it so I can't give it too much crap. Next real upgrade will probably be a decent leaf pack. But that helper spring doesn't sound like a bad idea

 

Put a four wheel camper on that sucker! Looks awesome

 

Thanks trowbocop

The hellwig spring helper cost $95 free shipping off ebay. worth the money even for stock non work trucks the truck handles alot better on curves and just over all control.

 

I was going to put a bolt on hunting tripod for photography and varmit hunting.

 

Yeah that's not bad at all price wise for helpers. I was all excited at first when I got my lift done because the rear gained over 4 inches of travel, then the springs settled :/ This is how it sits now, It started off about 2 inches higher in the rear. I'm just happy I'm not alone in the flatbed game around here haha. Even though yours is a hell of a lot fancier. I like the tripod idea too. Sadly not much for varmint hunting here unless you count squirrels.