Hauling firewood: Rear suspension issue.

2010 Taco PreRunner, ext cab, I4 with MT-5. Bone stock except for 17" steelies and P265/70 R17 tires.

I picked up what was supposed to be half a cord of firewood today, but by the time we got 2/3 of it loaded the rear end was sitting on the bump stops. So I need to beef up the rear springs (or something).

Have you done this job, and what worked best?

This truck's performance is anemic at best, but it had no issue hauling the firewood, and it didn't feel weird except for the rear suspension sitting on the stops.

Charlie

 

How many leafs are on the leaf springs? 2+1 overload or 3+1 overload? If 2+1 they're the old style, and you can get get a new set for free from the dealer.

If you already have the 3+1, you can look into sumo springs or firestone airbags. Both are great for the occasional heavy load. New leaf packs aren't the best option for that.

 

This is the right one, so I'm guessing that's a 3+1. Dang! I was hoping for a free dealer upgrade.



Charlie

 

Do you plan to haul that much firewood routinely? If so beef em up. If not don’t worry about it.

 

Or, do what I do, and use a trailer...

 

I heat with rice coal and haul it myself, I make 2 or 3 trips per year. This is a picture of one of this years load, it's 2100 pounds, you can see the coal very near the top of the bed. The truck sits level because I installed Air Lift Ride Control air bags Kit #59561 in the rear (@50 psi). I don't advise loading that much weight,it's not legal, but can be done. I only have to drive about 25 miles loaded.

 

I’d say a small trailer as well. You can get a used one for well under $1,000.

 

You might still qualify.

 

Airbags for the win...

 

This^^^ this picture the bags were only at 10psi

 

If you hauled a half cord of wood (4'x4'x4'), that is not much weight even with oak, hickory or walnut. I would definitely say you need some beefing up of the rear suspension. I have over loaded my truck with bamboo hardwood on a two trip haul and a few more times hauling 25 - 30 bags of 80lb Quickrete with no issues.

 

Even with seasoned dry firewood a half cord is over the payload rating of the truck. Oak, hickory or walnut weighs close a ton for a half cord.

 

Lift:
Pro Kit Rev Tek Lift
3" front - 1.5" add a leaf Rear
Firestone Ride-Rite Air bags

 

It's not so much that, but on occasion I will need that capability, whether it's hauling sacks of cement or other construction materials (for personal projects). So it's not something I do routinely, but I will sometimes need about that much capacity.

Charlie

 

4 wheel parts price matched Amazon for my airbags. I wanted them before we moved to Colorado. Bought and installed the next day.

 

Look into hellwig helper springs.

 

His rear spring picture showed clearly that he's got 6-clip version. No free springs for him.

 

No airbags here, I only do this once or twice a year.

I do have 5100 billies all around and OME MD Dakar spring pack (EL095R) in the rear.

This load of oak was about 1/2 inch above the Timbren bumpstops (ABSTRFK) which are taller than the stock stops slightly.

 

Wild thing. Oh man, I got one of those same chainsaws for free with only about 20 minutes of running time on it. Does yours overheat continually, and pour out chain lube when just sitting? I ended up buying a Stihl MS291 w/20" because fuck it. I need my chainsaw to actually saw.