Rear Leaf Spring / Suspension Suggestions

Hey all, I'm hoping to get some answers to my squeaky suspension from the experts here.

First off I bought a used 2007 DBLCAB Tacoma (2WD, PreRunner 6lug) with 135k miles on it. I have driven it for about 2k miles. I am constantly annoyed with the squeak from the rear leaf springs (they are the no TSB version), and the whole truck in general just seems "loose".

I've not had the money to do much to the truck so far (especially not anything with the suspension) except:
Replace all 4 tires
Replace wheel bearing in passenger front (that thing was BAD)
General upkeep (replace spark plugs, oil change etc...)

I am still not happy with the ride though, it seems like going over any bumps will make the thing fall apart. What I want to do and what I need suggestions on is this:

I want to buy new leaf springs, the whole set, my current ones are SHOT. I can post some pics if desired.
I want to buy Bilsteins 5100's all around to stabilize my ride.

I'm not looking for a major lift of any kind, 2 - 2.5 inches is okay. I do need to level out the lean on the back. Just nothing that requires additional components or setup.

Can you tell me what all is involved and recommend a pair of leaf springs that will work with the billys? I don't go off-roading at all, it is strictly a street vehicle. My research has told me OME's plus 5100's would work, but then in other threads they seem to say it won't. I just need some help because I'm about at my wits end with the bad suspension.

 

Dakars and remove the third leaf.

Also what do you use your truck for? Haul and tow? Offroading? Mall crawling?

 

I use it for just straight street riding. Nothing off road. Very rarely do I haul things (but i have in the past).

So you say the Dakars that I linked and remove the third leaf on both of them? That would tone down the rear lift they'd give right?

 

Yes and yes.

 

Awesome thanks man. Think I'd still need the extended U-Bolts with the 3rd leaf removed? Also, could I install the leaf springs in one go, then a few months later install the bilsteins. Or would that be too much on the old shocks? Sorry if that's a stupid question.

 

The only stupid questions are those not asked.

 

Haha, I agree. Thanks for your help with this. Looks like after I order those springs and let my bank account recover I'll be buying the shocks and installing them in one go around.


What ARE the stock Tacoma shocks btw? I thought they were yellow / blue, I have some black KGR(?) shocks on mine. Dunno if they're any good or not though..

 

I think the preRunner models are black shocks; not too sure

 

Lol alright man, I'll do some digging on it. Either way even if they are after market they're pretty much gone as well. The previous owner did one hell of a job on this suspension.

 

By all means take a couple good pics from the side (DR. & Pass. sides) close enough to see the front hanger end & the rear (shackle) end, from what you describe as you're truck usage you'd probably be fine with an AAL (Add-A-Leaf) I'm betting your springs would come back nicely , but need a couple decent pics to evaluate..

 

Here's some crappy pics of my springs. Sorry they're so low quality, I took them early this morning while it was still dark before work.

Looking at them this way they don't look too terrible, but sitting in the truck and having a passenger they squat bad.

I measured from my center cap to the bottom of the fender well and got 20" on the driver side and 23.5" on the passenger. My "Taco Lean" is pretty bad as you can imagine.

Either way, thanks for looking. Since I'm pretty picky about my truck I've already ordered Dakars and longer U-Bolts and plan to take out the 3rd leaf to lessen the lift they'd give. I know it's probably overkill but the OEM springs were pretty expensive on their own and I'd rather pay a few extra for quality.

Also the damn squeaking HAS TO STOP these springs sound like they're possessed by a parrot.

 

Dakars are known to squeak too. But since you will have them off the truck, follow this before you go installing them

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/156353-squeaky-dakars-any-advice-others-dakars.html

 

Haha already had it bookmarked. I definitely plan on doing that.

 

I guess I'll update this thread with my progress. I got my OME springs in today, super stoked about it. I have 4 Bilstein 5100's coming in tomorrow and getting it all installed at the end of the week (hopefully).

Just a question, the spring with the - painted on goes on the passenger side and the + goes on the driver side right? That's to deal with the added weight that the driver's side has.

I'm removing the third spring tonight when I get home tonight.

*Edit: Not pictured are my extended U-Bolts and bushings for the back of these. Only one side on each had their bushings pressed in, I had to buy some stock Toyota ones.

 

Well I finally got my truck back from the shop, figured I'd share the pics of the final product.

I went with Bilstein 5100's all around with the front set a 1.75" due to all I've heard about the stiffness when having them all the way at 2".

I removed the the third leaf in the Dakars and got pretty much the lift I wanted. It does sit a little ass-high but I'm sure it'll settle in. (on a side note, I learned after some more research here that the Dakars only come with one side's bearing pressed in, I thought it was some kind of mistake with mine so I feel a little silly for thinking that.)

I also had to replace the tie rod ends both inner and outer for both sides, the shop told me that those were the main cause of my bad ride. They seriously didn't know how I made it there with the ones on my passenger side.

This thing finally rides like the truck I wanted when I bought it, this new suspension sucks up bumps like they're nothing.

I've learned a lot from this forum and this experience and really do thank you guys for the help.

--By the way, if any of you live in the South Mississippi area, do not take your vehicle into the Toyota dealership in Hattiesburg MS. I had went in on three separate occasions to get my truck back in shape and paid all sorts of diagnostic fees (since they had to take it in and take off the tires). I don't really know how incompetent they must be at their job to see that my tires had about an inch of play in them and for them to tell me my truck drove fine. I honestly feel like I could press the issue with them since it was a safety concern but I really don't feel like going through the trouble. I did not know before how to test for bad tie rods, that's why I took it in. Just steer away from them.