Suspension is struggling with roofnest and rsi cap

The truck has more weight on it than it was designed for. Modifying the suspension doesn't change that, it only hides the problem and encourages you to overload even more. You need a bigger truck or fewer toys. Tacoma's weakest link is a low payload. Most of these trucks are in the 1000-1200 lb range, some as low as 900. Our Honda had 800 lbs payload, a Ford Explorer or Ranger will have 1500-1600.

When you overload the bed of a truck that puts less weight on the front axle. Under ideal conditions you want a 50/50 split on weight between the front and rear axle. Unloaded trucks are heavier in the front. That allows you to carry more weight in the bed and still keep the ratio close to 50/50 once loaded. But you can reach a point where there is so much weight on the bed that there is no longer enough weight on the front axle to ensure the trucks front brakes and steering work safely. The front axle does about 80% of your braking and 100% of the steering. Modifying the suspension so that the truck sits level doesn't change the fact that you don't have enough weight on the front axle.

 

Great band aids nonetheless

 

I’m running RTT, shell, rear bumper, camping gear, cooler, water etc... went with the Dakar heavy leaf pack by OME. Never looked back.

 

Payload of a vehicle is determined at factory configuration. Once a person starts altering suspension, braking, leafsprings, coils, suspension geometry and many other things it alters the payload capacity. Is it safe, yes it can be. Is it legal in terms of dot, probably not due to them reference the vehicle info. Are you going to get in trouble, probably 99% no. If you cause a 10 car pile up and kill 5 people maybe.
There are plenty of upgrades to handle the added weight.

 

Are those both Prinsu racks?

 

Yes.

 

I didn’t realize so many people actually gave a crap about payload... It’s a truck, use it and enjoy it!

 

Not really. Truck is still overloaded. Gives a false sense of it being ok

 

Love my Deaver U402 Expedition Stage 3 springs. Made for 3 inches lift (less on 3rd gen) with 700-1000lbs constant bed load. Sitting pretty much level in the below pic. We won't talk about the total weight loaded in that pic...

 

Uh, isn't knowing payload part of using it?

 

It is. But a 1000 pound payload is nothing. These trucks can handle a lot more then 1000 pounds and still be safe on the road. Load your truck up, use common sense. If it feels like it’s to much weight for your truck then go lighter next time. I had a yard of dirt in the back of my truck last weekend and you couldn’t even tell it was back there after the air bags had some air in them. A yard of dirt weighs anywhere between 1000-1500 pounds. To each their own.

 

Don’t worry about it she can take it.

 

Using common sense would say not to overload your truck.

 

Just a heads up - removing the rear seats adds a chunk of road noise. The foam acts as noise insulation. If you lower the upright sections you'll get an idea of it. I removed the passenger side entirely (left the driver side rear seat in still), and right after removing it the road noise got instantly, significantly worse. Not to say it's unbearable, I drove it that way out to LA and back and still have it set up like that, but it's definitely noticeable.

 

I just pulled out the lower part of the passenger seat and you are absolutely right. You can definitely tell the difference.

 

Sounds good. The truck is very capable don't listen to the pants pissing by full size truck owners.

For the majority of Tacoma owners the stock leaf/springs work fine. Since you're using your Tacoma like a truck (instead of just making Ikea runs) you'll want to fix your squat with either:

1. Add-a-leaf (I'm happy with Headstrong 3 leaf AAL but there are plenty of other brands.) ~$100 plus install
2. A new medium or heavy duty leaf pack, ~$550 plus install

You asked about air-bags. They would help raise the rear of the truck but aren't the best fix for your usage (for ride comfort and handling.) If you want to tow a trailer with your RSI cap and rooftop tent I'd probably add air-bags in addition to option 1 or 2 above.

 

Sounds like a floaty/bouncy ride if you're using the airbags to perpetually correct squat. What psi are you running?

 

I read this elsewhere also. I will have to add that noise-dampening material after I remove the seats.

 

Use the airbags to correct squat while towing fully loaded.

Min is 5 PSI. I usually run between 10-15 PSI, and it's not floaty or bouncy at all. It is a little bouncy at 5 PSI. Run 35-40 PSI loaded and towing.