Broken drivers side leaf spring

Hi Guys, I have a 2005 tacoma, access cab 4 cylinder engine, and after having my truck inspected for the rust issue on the frame, they noticed that the rear leaf drivers side leaf spring is broken. They quoted me new leaf springs at $658. a piece and recommended doing both at the same time, for a total of $1900. including labor! My mechanic was unsuccessful in finding used ones at the local junk yards, being told that Toyota was buying all their parts. That being said, there are aftermarket springs that are much cheaper online, but what ones will be the best? I looked up two, Skyjacker and Emu, and both advertise a lift with their product. Though I'm not opposed to a lift, I don't want to touch the front suspension. Would I be able to use either of these products with out modifying the front suspension? Any thoughts/help would be great!

 

With a 4cyl you probably won't be hauling often, so I would stay away from leafs like the Dakars and All-Pro Expeditions (they're for people that have weight in the bed a lot) Maybe All-Pro Standard leaf pack or (OME) Deavers.

You notice how your back end is higher than the front end? We call that the Tacoma "rake". Lifting the rear and not the front would make that even more pronounced.

If you just want a cheap set, check out the For Sale section and see if anyone is selling. Look for someone with at least the TSB (Toyota Service Bulletin) AAL (Add A Leaf) version. Should be 4 leafs in that one.

 

Sorry to hear about your broken spring!

Not to hijack, but what is Toyota doing with all those parts they are buying up from the junkyards?

 

i would not recommend the dakars unless you are rocking 500+lbs in the bed at all times.

 

You can bring the truck to a local spring shop. They will fix it with a new leaf unless is it the main leaf. I have broke 4 leafs so far and each time it has been around $110 each time. Over half of that is labour. They said that they could do a full leaf set for around 500-600.

 

Send me $1500 and I'll send you mine! Just kidding haha but seriously a spring shop or the forsale section on this forum would be your best bet if the junkyards don't have anything.

 

grab a set of wheelers HD springs, or general spring HD springs for a slightly stiffer than stock ride and call it good. 500 bucks and not have to worry about it for a long while.

 

You can always pull a leaf out of a new spring pack to get to your desired ride height.

 

He has a 4 banger prerunner with no plans to lift and no mention of hauling anything. Why would he need or want a heavy duty leaf set?

 

and if he doesnt want those.... no WAY the dakars should even be considered as they are SIGNIFICANTLY stiffer than the wheelers hd or general spring hd.

Could always go with the general spring standards.

 

I have stock leaf packs with a 1.5" AAL sitting around. Swapping packs is a breeze, if you come by NY grab mine. If you're interested PM me.

 

There are lots of aftermarket spring sets available. Most are better than stock. Go to toytec.com and check them out.

 

I could send you the leaf you broke too if you wanted that insteaf

 

Too bad shipping would be outrageous. I have a set of almost brand new leafs for sale.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacoma-marketplace/334431-items-my-2012-dclb-sale.html

 

You could also go to a local spring shop, they can replace the leaf for a couple hundred at most. The leaf springs on these trucks are horrible.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions and help. I ended up going to a spring shop and just getting the middle leaf that was broken. My friends mechanic put it in in an hour. total job including leaf and new hardware: $270. Can't believe how bad the dealership tried to F me. This forum is way more helpful!

 

The local junk yards said Toyota was buying back any tacomas on the lots, probably to prevent people from getting to the parts. Here in the northeast with the rust recall on the frames, they stand to make, (or lose) lots of money. It forces more people to find aftermarket parts, or just suck it up and let the dealership charge what they want to replace them.

 

Maybe the dealership is reselling the used parts?