2018 Tacoma TRD PRO suspension question.

Hey y’all quick question. I am adding an ARE Topper and a GFC superlite (approximately 375 extra LBS with gear) to my truck with stock TRD PRO suspension. Any advice as far as changing spring rates to maintain stock ride height or to stay within the stock stroke height. ?

 

I would argue that's not enough weight to be concerned.

 

How much weight would you start to consider?

 

check out the instructions for Icon's leaf pack to help guide your decision...

Based on their option 1 setting, and your 350lbs then you can probably expect a 1" lift or something in the rear.

https://images.iconfigurators.app/pdf/Icon_Dynamics/I158505_REVB.pdf

 

Armor (more than just skids and sliders), big winches, tons of overlanding shit.

 

Why are concerned about maintaining unloaded ride height? In any case, it doesn’t sound like very much weight. Although the Taco is a bit of a lightweight, it’s still a pickup truck. I say throw on the load and drive it a while. If you can’t live with the <1” of decreased ride height, go on a diet or install a add-a-leaf or air bags.

I’ve found any information pertaining to spring rates for Tacoma leaf springs, but manufacturers usually specify some load guidelines.

 

Go buy 10 bags of water softener salt (you'll need it anyways for your water softener). That would be around 400 lbs (40lb bags) and you will get a idea of how the truck will look. From there you can decide if you need or want to put add a leafs to the rear.

 

Thanks for the response. just gearing up for a cross country with the family. Will have four MTB, the topper with prinsu and a rtt. Plus building a drawer and bed system for the truck bed. Plus two adults and 2 kiddos and all our other stuff I’m sure the weight will add up quick. Just wanted thoughts on maintaining the ride height.

 

This is what I did for my tundra with habitat. I went with option 2 though at icons recommendation.

put me right back at factory height or slightly above. Still running the rest of the factory pro suspension

 

Good stuff I think I’ll take some pre and post measurements with all the weight and the. Check out the Icon options. Thanks

 

If you hit "quote" in the bottom right, the people you're responding to will get a notification.

Also, if you haven't, be sure to add bed stiffeners before adding that topper.

 

Awesome thanks for the advice. I’ll look into the bed stiffeners

 

Not a problem! Lots of options. The ones by Total Chaos are the ones I have and they're the only ones actually patented.

Long story short, basically the composite beds in these trucks aren't as strong laterally. So when you put weight on the rails (topper, rails, rooftop tent, etc), you can knock the bed out of whack; especially off road or going over bumps and uneven terrain.

 

What is your reason for wanting to maintain ride height? Ground clearance? Looks? If neither of those are concerns of yours, I you think might be worrying about nothing.

A possibly bigger concern is ride quality. Adding weight will affect ride quality, but adding load to a pickup often increases it up to a point. Pickups come from the factory with suspensions tuned to carry a load and when unloaded they tend to have harsh ride quality. Adding weight mellows them out.

 

You know, I think this situation would be better fixed with airbags. You can air up when your loaded, then air down when unloaded to maintain ride height.