Recently Purchased '09 TRD OR -- Input Needed

Hey all, first time Tacoma (and truck) owner here. Just had a few general questions and will try and make it as quick/straightforward as possible.






The dealer told me this truck had a 1" leveling kit all around, which after searching on TacomaWorld, I'm not sure is correct. It seems to sit very high compared to my friend's stock Tacoma OR (fender to tire space) and seems much larger than a 1" spacer. The truck also has 265/75/16 tires.

Here's the front spacer:



This seal also looks out of place to me?




There also doesn't seem to be a block lift in the rear (that I can see). I've read about adding a leaf to raise the rear end and was wondering how many leaves are stock on an 09 Tacoma.



And finally has anyone heard of these tires? I can't find any reviews on them anywhere. Thought they were alright (low road noise, decent A/T look) but we got about an inch of snow today up in VT and these things didn't want to grip at all.



Overall the truck drives good. Wanders slightly if there's a big slope to the road or hitting a expansion joint on the bridge at 65mph. Not sure if it needs an alignment, if the tires suck, or if its something else. I'm not really going to do any serious off roading. Just trying to keep a comfortable ride with maybe slightly larger/more aggressive tires and a small lift (without needing to upgrade UCAs). I've heard good things about OME kits, 5100s, Dakar leaf packs, etc. Don't really have the money right now though and not sure if it's necessary for what I need.

Anyway, I just bought it this past weekend, thought I'd put it on here to get some experienced opinions. I appreciate the help in advance.

 

Hey I live in S. Burlington Too! Welcome to TW.

A quick google search said the tires are made by Cordovan, a private brand of Cooper Tire.
You know how popular Coopers are... I do not know why they do this. Maybe one of the guys here knows?

The composite bed makes the truck break loose easy especially in today's slick snow.
There was a lot of moisture under it greasy.
I really slipped with my new tacoma's tires today in my flat driveway over by the airport.

Softer compound snow tires would not slip as much. Today made me wish I had the studded snows I sold before I bought the tundra abeit now traded in for another tacoma.

Congrats on the truck, where did you buy it?

 

Thanks Beavis & Judy. I wasn't in 4WD, but I figured 2WD and an inch of snow wouldnt be much of a problem.

I'll definitely throw it on the alignment rack soon. Just wasn't sure if anyone had any opinions on what's currently installed for the leveling kit. I've seen Fat Bob's Leveling kit in 2.25" that looks smaller than these. Maybe its just me though.

Wild Trac looks like they are made by Sigma, Vaderbilt, and Cordovan. Again, haven't really found much about them, but they'll do for now. I'll probably upgrade to Dynapro ATMs sooner than later anyway.

Judy, I bought the truck at Handy's in St. Albans.

 

Nice truck!! I almost got a DC from them. Bump for some leveling kit info!!

 

Nice looking truck. There are quite a few leveling kits out there so I'm not sure which one you have. Looks like the one inch spacers that go on the front shock/spring.

 

Put a couple of sand bags in the bed, over the axle- will help with traction. These trucks are light in the rear end and the sand will help.


Congrats on the truck and welcome

 

If the truck is wondering a little with the crown of the road this can be normal on roads with a high crown. Or the caster could be a little off. I lean to a caster issue due the fact that you say it wonders when you hit bumps such as a bridge joint.

As for the kit I'm not sure of the brand from the pics. If it were me I would get it aligned and rock it for now and save up for 5100's or a kit with Eibach or OME coils and 5100's. I just installed a set of 5100's at all four corners and set the fronts to .85 over stock and the truck rides much better than stock.

Nice truck BTW enjoy!

 

The U-bolts on the rear look like they have been cut shorter w/ a hack saw or something so more than likely some sort of add a leaf maybe in the rear??

 

you have a 2" front coil spacer (could possibly be a 2.5" but not as common) and what looks like an 1.5" aal in the rear. it gets the job done to clear some tires and give a more aggressive stance but there are definately better riding and performing options out there.

btw congrats on the truck it looks very nice.

 

x2

 

I just installed a warn winch trans4mer bumper with a warn 8000 and noticed a little front end dip, so I was thinking about the spacer leveling kit, but when I got to eye balling the coils there was a spacer already there. I bought the truck 2 weeks ago and it is a 2010 TRD Double Cab 4x4. Great truck and glad its got the spacer already. I think!

 

congrats

 

Im looking into Bilstein 5100s with OME 880 or 881's in the front. Anyone know if this will give me approx. the same ride height as I currently have?

 

You want OME 883,884, or 885. I have the same exact truck as you and i got 2.5" from 885s and nitrochargers. You would probably want 884s for about 2-2.25 inches of lift

If you have more questions about OME this is a good place to ask
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/258245-old-man-emu-questions-answers-pictures.html

Welcome to the site! Ill be in VT this weekend

 

Great, thanks for the help. I know I have a 3 leaf pack but is there any specific way to tell if it's an AAL kit, or different from stock?

 

3 leafs and one overload? If you get a better picture somebody here can probably tell you. Definitely ditch those spacers if you plan on doing any offroading