Bump stop question

Yesterday afternoon I spent a good amount of time on the phone speaking with several different companies about the set up on my truck. One of the sales people said that I needed to buy a 3" rear leaf pack 'kit' and the new timbren rear bump stops (which are due out in a couple of weeks) if I wanted to haul a 1500lb load. The reason I 'need' the rear bump stops, according to the sales person, is to keep the rear fenders from hitting my new tires on the 17x9" wheels (with a full load in the bed). My tires DO stick out past the fender flare and I only have the rear leaf TSB right now. I measured just over 3" between the bed of the truck and the OEM bump stop and I also measured just over 5 inches from the fender flare to the top of the back tire but I realize that the rear springs will 'flex' when loaded and there definitely is not room for the tire to tuck up inside of the wheel well due to the width of the tire.

I really don't want to shell out another grand on a leaf pack 'kit' right now and these expensive bump stops IF THEY ARE NOT NEEDED. I also do not want to risk inducing vibrations in the drive train from lifting the back, then lifting the front even more to level out the stance, but I NEED to be able to haul a full bed of mulch or a 1/2 scoop of top soil which I do quite often.

So, with the set up in my signature, is some type of bump stop modification really required if I only run the rear leaf TSB? The only thing I could think of is having 8-10 buddies at work all stand in the bed of my truck at once and me stick my head under the truck to see what hits first, bump stop or the fender on the tire.

If I do need to run an aftermarket bump stop, is there anything cheaper than one attached to the upper portion of the new shock? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

You need to do something- because I'll almost guarantee that 1500lbs in the bed is TOO MUCH FOR THE TRUCK. The truck isn't built to carry that much in any configuration.

 

Hum.... Max payload is advertised at 1505lbs unless I'm reading this wrong... http://www.autobuyguide.com/2006/12-aut/toyota/tacoma/specifications/index.html

After researching a bit more, is the Tacoma a "half ton" truck? If so, does that mean it can only haul 1000lbs. in the bed? Would this cause me to need a new bump stop... I'm getting more confused the more I read.

 

What model do you have?? And you have to account for the weight of you driving and anything else on the truck

 

2006, TRD O/R. Just me and 50lbs of gear max. I only drive 2 miles from the nursery that sells the plants, mulch and top soil and I'm only going ~30mph.

If I need the new bump stops, I'm willing to forgo hauling mulch or dirt until I have the spare change, but I don't want to spend money on something I don't need.

 

Reg/Access/Double Cab?? 2WD,4WD??

Look into the TSB springs- Not sure if you'll still be in warranty or not- but it's worth trying. Take a bit less mulch and you'll probably be fine. Or get a small trailer....

 

get you some of those air bags for it.

 

This may seem plebian but if the trip is that short, why not make 2 trips? Beats jacking up your fenders.

 

I would look into the firestone/ similar brand of helper bags

 

You would probably be fine if you just got an add a leaf to use with the TSB springs.
When I had my TSB springs they hauled 600 lbs with me driving over big bumps fast and took it like butter. I know there is a big difference, but I am sure with 5 or 6 hundred more lbs. it still would have been good.
You are fine with the TSB and if you need a smidge more get an add a leaf.

 

Ok, so I'll haul less and make more trips to solve that problem. Now the 2nd question would be about the tire hitting the rear fender while out on the trails. My ultimate goal is to be able to have a truck for light/medium duty use out on the trails AND still be able to use around town. I can sacrifice "around town" use and make more trips but I DO NOT want to sacrifice functionality on the trails. Any idea if I'll rub w/o a new leaf pack and the expensive bump stops? If so, is there any other bump stop solution that can be used with the factory leaf springs that do not requre a new leaf pack, new rear shocks, the expensive timbren rear bump stop set up, diffy shims, brake lines, etc... (remember, the TSB leaves are already installed).

 

I am running All-Pro 3" Leaf packs and Timbrens for this very reason. I have yet to haul a large load since the install but I am happy to know that I would have no issues.

Last July before modifying anything with my suspension, when my tires were 255/75R17's on my stock wheels, I hauled 1500 lbs of sand bags from Lowe's to my moms house. Trip was just down the street but the stock bumps stops were not even touching yet. There was about 3/4" gap between frame and bump stops. Truck was 6 months old at the time so springs were still fairly new though.