HELP! Need to beef up stock rear suspension on the cheap for trip

I need to beef up rear suspension on the cheap for hitch hauling my dirtbike. I've got a 250 mile trip planned in two months from Nashville, TN to the far side of Georgia. I don't have the money for a new suspension setup on my stock '02 single cab 2.4L 2x4. It's going to be a haul, but I'm broke, don't want to rent a dirtbike there and all I have is my hitch hauler. Pics of my truck and bike/hauler included.

If someone would point me in the direction of a thread of has info on what I could do? Looking for a solution under $150. THANKS!

 

Check out , they sell a few AALs ranging from $60-$80 depending on load/lift requirements.

I think the firestone airbags might be a great option if you want to do this regularly.. if you can stretch your budget to around ~240.

Other option (free) remove the camper shell put it in the bed, but that's if you're not planning on sleeping in the truck. My .02

 

A good discussion of different suspension options for the rear, and loads is here: Rear Suspension Lift: AAL or (Custom) Leaf Pack?

You're cheapest option by far is going to be the installation of some air shocks, which will allow you to increase pressure to haul heavier loads.

On a stock 1st gen Tacoma, the Monroe Max-Air MA-812 can be used to replace your existing rear shocks. You won't be getting anything like a top-of-the-line racing shock, but at the price (generally under $75), it's hard to beat for adjustable weight in the bed.

I ran some Gabriels and then Monroe's on my truck for years. Write-ups here (Gabriel - Pumping up the rear with air shocks) and here (Monroe - The BOSS lift - prepping for armor)

 

This is actually the first I've heard of adjustable air shocks (at least ones that didn't cost $1000 a piece, lol). It's cheaper, technically, but for $10 more you can get an AAL which will be far superior in just about every way. The stock shock mounts aren't really designed to hold the weight of the vehicle, and IMO shouldn't be using them to increase the weight carrying ability. Just let teh shocks be shocks, and have the springs carry the weight like they're supposed to.

IMO you're better off with a AAL, or spend $300 or so and get airbags.

 

I disagree that AALs are better in every way (and that strikes me as a presumptive thing to say when you've never before heard of air shocks). The benefit of air shocks is that you can vary the pressure with load - that way your truck isn't a stinkbug when you're load-less, which can be the case with an AAL and since most people spend more time unloaded, I'd argue that the resulting increased driveline angle is actually worse for your truck. Plus, there's need for things like extended brake lines in a lot of cases when you start changing the ride height of the rear end.

The stock mounts are more than strong enough to support up to at least 2000lbs in the bed of the truck - I've carried more than that on several occasions, not that I recommend it for extended distances. Heck, the frame is (essentially) boxed at the shock mounting locations.

Putting a motorcycle in the back of the truck is totally within the "reasonable" relm of conversation - I've hauled around my CBR600 in the back with no problem at all, and air shocks are a great way to go for that.

2600lbs according to the site I offloaded at


"a lot of weight" way more than a motorcycle


Don't get me wrong - I eventually went to a custom Alcan leaf pack (as outlined in this article) and some custom ADS racing shocks. But that's because my use scenario for the truck changed.



.

 

They make these little clips you can bolt between your overload leaf and regular leaf pack to help preload your leaf pack for added weight. This may be nice for you because you can take 'em right off when your done.

I forget what they're called but ill see if i can find a link

 

Agree. The air shock looks to me the same gettho idea as "stop-leak" additive. Make just more damage to the vehicle giving false feeling of job done.

 

huh, interesting never seen those before.

 

As someone who had to rip blown air shocks off their truck when I first bought it, all the while wondering why the rear end was sagging.. I can't recommend them.
I didn't even know what they were till I got them off and the 2 air lines that ran to a fitting by the rear bumper, I can't believe someone wasted so much time on such a mediocre solution.

I agree with the person who said the shock mounting points are not meant for additional weight, the bottom shock mount is literally on the corner of your shackle plate underneath the axle...
I am sure if put enough weight on it you will start to bend the corner of the plate or the shock pin, really all the weight should fall on top of the axle.

I would try that stable load thing or really the Firestone airbags on top of the spring between the frame will be the best for the long run and you can adjust for lots of different loads, properly supported on top of the axle.
I wouldn't add a leaf in your case the rear end will sit up high 90% of the time. air bags between the spring and the frame, and it'll help protect your springs from sagging also.

If you need an ultra inexpensive temporary solution, the Zuk mod comes to mind although I haven't done it on a tacoma, but it does work on the older trucks and 4runners just fine.

 

Have you personally used these?? Seems like a quick, easy yet temporary solution for the trip.

 

I have not. I just came across them one day and thought they were interesting. But apparently they have really good reviews.

It takes up the space so the leaf pack is allowed to work to its maximum capability immediately. So that first inch of down travel instead of being, say, what 100 lbs or whatever, now is 175 lbs or whatever. It should dramatically improve handling and risk of sway etc.

Looking at the prices they are rather expensive $300 or so :/ Not sure how mechanically inclined you are to make your own but the principal is rather simple!

And I would't worry about shock mounts failing n all if anything will fail it will be the tires - would adjust psi accordingly
edit: or you could buy online and return them when your done.
$0 cost

 

I just looked on Amazon and they sell those StableLoads, but they want $349 for the ones in that image posted here.

 

airbags, I did think about airshocks but decided against it. Would rather get airbags in conjunction with the rear leaf and bilstein shocks. For now I have extended bumpstops.

 

Years ago I beefed up the leaf springs of a 96 Tacoma with a couple junkyard leafs. The mid 90s F150 leafs fit perfect.
Super cheap and the ride was still nice.

 

Just go to your local parts store and get a set of “helper springs” that bolt to your leaf springs. You can get them for around 50 bucks and work well and takes about 15min to put on. Most stores have them in stock on the shelf too.

 

Dont use these. They will change the point of weight loading on the springs and either disform them or cause them to snap.

OP, cheapest way is to do it right:

AAL is a good "cheap" solution but you will have a stink bug stance when unloaded and the rear suspension will by "jumpy" over bumps. I ran a 1.5" AAL for about a year and I hated the ride. But got the job done.

Air bags is the recomended solution but it will be costly.

 

Rent this

 

I don't like the concept of helper spring as solution for preventing sagging. The geometry if the suspension with helper spring puts unusual load to original leafs that can make it break. If you put extra force between the frame and the axle that force must be supported by something. There is no free lunch (except from dumpster). Helper spring changes the geometry of the suspension making that extra force to load spring lengthwise. The spring is not designed for that.

The concept of of StableLoad is also not ideal. What it does it puts the additional force from original "overload spring" to one point of the main spring pack. The overload spring shape is designed to apply equal force (spread across big surface) to the main spring. StableLoad changes it to apply the same force just to one point. That will increase the risk of breaking springs.

I would go with airbag system as it takes the load of the spring and puts it directly to the frame above the axle. I'm sure the frame in this place is strong enough to handle the force applied to it from the bottom by the air bag. The geometry of the suspension remains the factory and the only thing that is changes is additional support point on the frame above the axle.

 

hes just moving a dirt bike 250 miles.
leafs will be just fine.

the "recommended" route would be a new leaf pack with slightly higher spring rate. (same height)