Have a camper shell - should I get the rear leaf TSB?

Hey guys,

I know there are a million threads on here about the rear leaf TSB, but I just had a quick question in regards to it.

I purchased a 2010 trd sport double cab about 6 months ago and have recently added a Leer camper shell. I have not experience any bottoming out yet, but I am going in for service next week and wanted your opinion on if I should pursue the rear leaf TSB. Anybody out there with camper shells that do or do not have the TSB be done and what are your opinions?

Also, any fellow Coloradoans know of any dealers in the area that will perform the TSB without much hassle in case I have problems with my local dealer (Pederson Toyota, Fort Collins)?

 

I have a 2007 with a shell and the TSB. I don't think the shell is heavy enough to warrant the TSB itself, for me it took 400 lbs and the truck would bottom out on a bumpy paved road. If you loaded up for a camping trip or something with the shell on, you might have some issues. Depends on what you keep in the bed of the truck on a regular basis. The TSB will stiffen up the rear end quite a bit so if you like the nice soft car-like ride I wouldn't get the TSB unless you need it.

 

The Dealer was great. I did the TSB because I have a snugtop on order and didn't want it to SAG, plus with weight in the bed. Also, I tow a MasterCraft at times.

With the snugtop, and the TSB 4 leafes, it was only a 1/2" difference in height

Without any weight, I gained 2 3/8" with the 4 Leaf TSB

Here's the Pix:

Before: (Sorry of pic angle it's at 34 5/8")




After:



MC: Total weight Loaded, Gas, Stuff 5200lbs.

 

I have a Leer shell on my 2010, and I had the TSB done. Glad I did it. Ride is much better. I used Toyota of Colorado Springs in Motor City. Though a service tech had originally blocked my efforts at getting the TSB, I talked to the service manager, Dan Moran, and he waived the TSB approval right though. Dan of course is smart enough to know that if you treat your customers with respect and dignity, rather than questioning their motives and denying their claims, it'll earn him more business. He's right there.

 

If you think you need it do it. I wouldln't worry one way or the other with the shell, I don't think they weigh enough to tax the rear springs that much.

 

I'd do it if I were you. You shouldn't have problems with hitting the bump stops with only the shell and 3 leaf pack. However, if you load any kind of real weight in the bed (bags of cement, etc.), you'll be more prone to hitting the bump stops with the additional weight of the shell.

Here's mine with the rear TSB and 5100's installed (1.75 @ front). It rides comfortably, even with several hundred lbs. loaded in the rear:

 

I have a shell on mine, no TSB. No problems yet. I've probably had 400 pounds in it under the shell and no bottoming out. I can tell it's loaded, but handles great still.

Before the shell, I had 1000 lbs of bagged mulch in the truck and it would bottom out on bumps on the freeway.

Bought mine with 40K on it, so no warranty for TSBs. If I could get it done I would, but hasn't been an issue so far. I don't tow anything and most of the heavy hauling is for ten miles or less.

 

I recently bought a new 2010 double cab. HOW do I know if I have to have this tsb done?

 

You have to request it, it does not come with since trucks from 2005, yes the problem is OOOOLLLLDDD!

 

I have seen the TSB for the 05 to 08, are our 2010 covered? If so, I can basically go into a dealership and say that when I load my truck with or without the canopy I can notice it bottoming out, and I could get the rear tsb? Providing I talk to the right person. Thanks

Josh

 

Go to the dealership and tell them about the problem you're having. Don't mention the TSB unless they start to give you a hard time. Let them diagnose and fix the problem. At least that's my $0.02, if you go in talking about the TSB they might just think you're trying to get a free leaf pack when you don't have a real problem and may be less likely to help you.

 

Or you could just have some Airbags installed and adjust them as needed. When you want a soft ride you have it. When you need to carry a heavy load you put 50PSI in them and carry what you want. Its an inexpensive and custom solution for those who don't want their suspension to be any stiffer at all than it already is stock.

 

You aren't having the problem the TSB addresses. If you aren't having the problem, the TSB doesn't apply.

 

Even though I do not haul or load the bed up regularly, or tow a large trailer/boat, I had the TSB done just because I felt it was a nice upgrade and it made the truck more capable of performing as designed. I stressed it being more of a "safety issue" with the dealership, which I guess worked because they did the TSB for me without any hassle. They warned me the ride of the truck would would be very stiff after the TSB. I really did not feel it being overly stiff, it just made the truck's ride feel more solid. I feel this truck rides great after the TSB.