Leaf Springs Question

First time Tacoma owner, glad to be here. I assume I need to replace the leaf springs on my '99 4x4 being they are essentially flat and the front angles downward. They look different than springs I've seen in the past BUT look exactly like the few other Tacos I've seen in person. I'm a bit confused. Is this that common on these trucks? Or is it a design choice.

The replacement I found online(using links found here) definitely look like the leaf springs I am familiar with. I'm likely overthinking, let me know

 

Those look like stock Tacoma leaf springs to me. Not sure what your question is?

Are you asking if it's common that those wear out, or appear flat like that? Yours are ready for replacement and have been. You have pretty much 4 options:

1) General/Dorman (cheapest, close to OEM height).
2) OME (affordable and usually 1.5-3" of lift).
3) Deaver (custom, nice, and pricey)
4) Alcan (custom, nice, and more pricey)

Good luck!

 

Sadly after 20 years springs do wear out.

Good luck Changing them Your going to need all new hardware.

Just where does the truck live?

 

Basically, looking for confirmation that they need changed. Seems like everyone around me needs to as well

Arkansas truck

 

I've looked at the general and OME. Not super interested in lifting it, general/Dorman is likely the route I'll choose.

 

Yea they need changing. Sure you could drive in them like that for quite a while longer, but your truck will ride a lot better and be able to hold weight in the rear better with non-blown out leafs

 

Appreciate the information. I assumed they were shot... guess I am more surprised that the 5 or so I've looked at were in the same condition.

 

In stock form the Tacoma leaf springs will appear flat. They might look curved in photos when they aren't installed, but on the truck they will look flat. Only heavier duty/lift springs have that arch to them that you're thinking of.

When they start to frown and sag, that's when they need replacing

 

That is exactly what I was referring to, all other leaf springs I've encounter had a very pronounced "U curve" so to speak.

Thank you

 

My 2016's sitting fairly flat. No way they're bad after 7 yrs and only 40k miles. I don't haul anything.
As mentioned, if they start to sag or frown at you then they're no good.

 

Noted. This is my first 'Yota and my other trucks were considerably older and/or larger domestics. Threw me for a loop so to speak...

 

I've had my 2004 Tacoma since 2008 and my leaf springs always "looked" flat. It's just a Tacoma thing. Do you get any axle wrap?

 

No axle wrap issues to my knowledge.

 

Can you post a picture of the leafs just to be sure?

 

I posted some originally but not sure where they went. I think someone quoted it above and you can still see the photos there... if not it'll be later this evening before I am able to take any

 

I see it.
Seems pretty standard to me.

 

Leafs look toasted, I'd just put some General Springs in and call it a day, You'll probably need new Shackles too (not a huge expense) - I know mine were all sorts of seized and you look to be in a rustier area than I was.

Here's the list of what I purchased and swapped for this project, not hard, but a good day's worth of work depending on rust
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...running-tally-of-regret.763120/#post-27301869

 

Yessir, regardless I'm going to replace shackles after seeing the cost isn't too abusive and no doubt these will be seized.

Rust looks worse in photo than it actually is, its only surface and no delamination of the frame anywhere although I know it could be better(and much, much worse)

 

It was certainly the most impactful change to ride quality I've done fwiw