2008 Taco DC weak leaf springs

Shortly after I bought my truck, my son took it to FL and I didn't get it back until after the 36k warranty had expired. I now know I have the weak leaf springs issue covered by the TSB, but Toyota won't work a TSB on a out of warranty vehicle. I have thought about coil-over shocks for the rear. What would my (cheap) options be to be able to have 2 normal people in the rear seat and NOT have the bed bottom out every time I go over a small dip in the road? What exactly did the TSB do - add another leaf? If so, can I purchase the leaf kit and install it myself?

 

When toyota fixes a problem like leaf springs. They won't just add a leaf to your existing leaf pack. They change the whole thing. So instead of the 3 leaf pack you have, they will change it to a 4 leaf pack. The cheapest fix would be
buying a add a leaf
finding a leaf pack from the salvage yard and taking a leaf from that pack and installing on yours
or buying a leaf spring helpers, can find them at any parts store and install is pretty easy. Not like add a leaf

 

Are all the leaves the same? I thought they were different lengths to provide progressive resistance.

 

They are different lengths. I'll suggest Firestone Ride-rite airbags as a solution, I sure like mine.

 

When you said your son had the truck for 36k miles and weak leaf springs I thought of this:

 

So, you don't recommend coil over absorbers?

 

I didn't need to see that!

 

Is that limit straps or stock suspension? I dont see enough droop. I would say Photoshop but that shadow looks too good to me for a fake

 

I just put Ride Rites on last weekend, $309 from Amazon, installed in a grueling 4-5 hours.

There is no more bottoming out, but the ride is pretty bouncy... like sleeping on an air mattress.

I'm wondering if I need to pair them with new rear shocks.

 

no they ride rough, but do work.

 

Here is what you want.

 

Yes your shocks have probably had it.

 

Ok thanks for the reply... I guess 90k miles on weak springs will do that to a shock.

Are there any special considerations since the height will vary with how much the Ride Rites are inflated? Bilstein 5100 ok?

 

Yeah 5100's would be fine. You can get them in different lengths but the ones you want will fit a truck from stock up to 2.5 in of lift. You really just want to inflate your bags to level the truck according to your load. Using to lift without load will give you a pretty harsh ride.

 

source to this video!

 

Bilstein 5100's??

 

I'm no expert but after days of research this is the setup I decided on. Air Bags, 1.5 aal in rear billys front and back with OME coils in front.

 

Yes.

 

What about the KYB Excel-G - Shock?