2009 infamous "sticker", you got one?

just evened out the poll 70/70, my 09 has it as well.
Got the TSB done but only items upgraded were my leaf springs, everything else was already up to date.

 

Amen to that. Its the freakin principle behind it. Instead of properly fixing the problem, they hide it in a little yellow sticker. Its kinda like if they had a motor problem and decided to put a sticker under the hood saying the horsepower has been reduced.

 

nope, 07 2 wheel drive access cab

 

It's a reason to be annoyed but definitely not a reason to regret the purchase.

It's still an awesome truck!
If you haul, upgrade it.
If not,...

 

I'm not sticking up for Toyota in any way, because I too think it's bs that they continue to build the Tacoma with only the 3 leaf pack. However, I think a few posters here may be a little confused.

After reading all of these posts, I still stand by my reasoning that these stickers represent the weight of installed options (though why some trucks don't seem to have them, I do not know). For example, in my case, the sales brochure advertises that for a double cab short bed 4x4 (which is what I have), I should have a payload of 1295 lbs. It doesn't matter whether I have the 3 pack or 4 pack of springs (my truck came with the 3 pack), my payload is 1295 lbs. HOWEVER, THIS NUMBER IS FOR A TRUCK WITH NO OPTIONS. Most people have options installed, which as you can imagine, adds to the curb weight of the truck. It doesn't matter whether the factory installs the options, or you add them in the way of aftermarket parts. The fact is they still add to the weight that the truck must support, thus reducing your payload. Based on these threads, the most common list of options seems to add up to 290 lbs. This 290 lbs isn't free weight that the truck doesn't know is there. How do we calculate payload? We subtract the curb weight from the GVWR. Therefore, by adding options to the truck, we are reducing the payload, as there is only so much weight your truck can carry.

Put another way, the only way you're going to get the full rated payload as stated in the manual is to not have any options installed.

 

With all that being said, I too was surprised to see the sticker on my door saying that the payload had been reduced by 290 lbs. I guess I didn't think about options when I saw the payload ratings in the sales brochure beforehand...

 

I understand what you are saying, and I'm thinking about getting the actual weight of my truck when empty at my local Waste Management transfer station (I have one 7 miles from my house)... Then I'll compare that number to the GVWR, and we'll have our answer...

I'm having a hard time coming up w/ 290lbs of options on my truck...

 

My advise would be to hit up your dealer and ask WTF since the Toyota web site says nothing about the potential for payload reduction for certain configurations.

 

I am not sure I understand this. I have a basic '09 Access 2.7 automatic with only standard equipment and no options and I have the 290lb. sticker.

 

Do you notice any difference in the ride with the new springs?

 

Brand new 09 TRD Offroad SR5 dbl cab - Nope

 

My 09 reg cab has the sticker. I asked the dealer and they had never heard of it, so they called toyota and could not get an answer.

 

And I have a DoubleCab V6 TRD Offroad w/ every available option, and I have the 290lb sticker, so the theory about installed options just went down the drain...

Also, those of you w/o the sticker... 3 leaf or 4 leaf packs on your trucks? Just because there is no sticker might not mean that your load capacity is any better than those of us w/ the sticker...

 

Last Sunday I emailed Toyota and asked that they explain the exact meaning and use of this 'sticker'. No reply yet... let you know if I get one.

 

I have a 2009 Double Cab TRD Sport. I've got the sticker and I've got the 3 spring leafs.

I've also got the subwoofer/rear speaker distortion issue with my JBL audio system, and I am going down to the dealership so the service adviser can verify the problem and order the replacement amp. While I'm at the dealership, I guess I'll ask them about the TSB.

I don't haul much in my truck, but when I do, I need to be sure that it rides safely. Am I going to have a noticeably bumpier ride with no payload in the back if I can convince them to to the 4 spring update?

 

I wouldn't say bumpier, I would say stiffer, I like my TSB, it rides tighter and stiffer than previously and the rear end is more planted in turns. Not to mention being able to handle a higher amount of load in the bed.

I know this reads like a porno but it's not...

Rob

 

I have one as well. Until I saw this thread I assumed it was because of the Access Cab. You know, more weight less payload.

 

I got the sticker.

My friends a mechanic at the toyota dealership down the road, not where i got my truck from. fwiw, i'll ask him about it.

also ill ask the dealer when i go in for free oil change #2

 

My 2009 Tacoma Access cab was built in Fremont, California in September, 2008............and it HAS the sticker! I spent over 4 hours with the salesman AFTER the purchase (pointing out just about everything he could think of) but there was never any mention of the sticker nor the diminished load capacity. Does Toyota purposely keep their salesforce in the dark on this subject??

 

Well, I'm not sure what the answer is. There's only 2 ways for the "load carrying capacity" (aka payload) to be reduced: either the curb weight of the vehicle increased, or the GVWR was reduced. GVWR - curb weight = payload.

I'm beginning to agree with those that have suggested that this is Toyota's way of getting out of doing any more tsb's on the 2009's. For whatever reason, Toyota has decided to save some money and continue to put weak 3-pack springs on the Tacoma (except for the Canadian ones, which get the 4-packs for some reason). Instead of putting 4-packs on like they should, they simply devised this sticker, whereby compliance means that the springs are not as stressed as they once were. Less stress on the springs means no need to do any more tsb's. Voila, the solution.

I guess we'll know if this is correct if and when they ever add the 09's to the tsb list.

I too would love to hear the exact answer from Toyota!