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I might need new suspension for my Tacoma

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by goufcustom, Jan 2, 2012.

  1. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:01 PM
    #1
    goufcustom

    goufcustom [OP] 7.62x63mm

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    I bought a 2006 TRD Off Road 4x4 DCSB Tacoma with 97k and I have 103k on it now, I was looking at it this afternoon and it looks like the drivers side is sitting lower than the passenger side. So I grabbed a tape measure and sure enough it is, the drivers side is sitting 1.5" lower than the passenger side... :confused: :mad: :(

    So, it has stock TRD OR Suspension, no lift, and no TSB, it has the 3 leaf pack. The ride is decent, for 100k miles I wouldn't complain. From some reading it sounds like the shocks and leafs are on their way to gone. Right?

    What are my options, I don't want to spend a ton of money here, my wife wants me to spend no money here. I have seen stock TRD Blisten OR shocks go for about $150 to $200 here used with less than 10k miles, so that is one option. I have seen leaf packs for ~$200. I know a lot of people here are all about the 5100s, not sure what a complete set up is going to cost there. Are there other parts that I need to replace since I will be taking the suspension apart?

    I am not opposed to a 1-2" overall lift if it doesn't cost a ton extra either.

    I know that good parts and cheap prices don't go together, but that is what I am looking for. I have other things that I am saving for, house, baby, etc that are taking priority over my truck at the moment, and for the extended future.

    I am more than capable to install the parts, I have the tools, but I am suspension illiterate. I can follow a how to but just don't really get what parts I need and what parts are good.

    If I do in fact need to replace the suspension, let me know, and can you provide some guidance on what the best and cheapest option would be? Also let me know what other parts I will need to get before I start taking things apart, I don't want to start this and not be able to finish in a day or two, because it is my primary (only) vehicle...

    Oh, as a reference 95% of my driving is on the road, I keep trying to go off-loading, but my wife gives me a speech about getting stuck, and then I just stay home...

    THANKS
     
  2. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:03 PM
    #2
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    that's normal on our trucks, called the "taco lean" (100% serious)

    gas tank and heavy stuff is (for some reason) more on the drivers side, giving a slightly lower drivers side height.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:04 PM
    #3
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    My 2005 does the same thing. Its the very common "taco lean" you can just get one 3/4" spacer from Toytec and that should cure your problem...
     
  4. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:05 PM
    #4
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    Kealakekua, Hawaii
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    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    unless your leaf packs / coils are sagging, you should be fine
     
  5. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:05 PM
    #5
    goufcustom

    goufcustom [OP] 7.62x63mm

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    How do I tell, are there pictures of this for me to compare mine to?
     
  6. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:08 PM
    #6
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    are your leaf packs happy or sad?


    quickest way is to take a peek at the leafs, if theyre holding a positive arch ( smiley ) you're good to go. If they're holding a neutral or negative arch, (frowning) then you may have to replace them
     
  7. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:10 PM
    #7
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    X2. It sounds like the infamous Taco Lean to me and all the 2nd gen trucks have it unless they added a spacer to level it back out. I put on a 3" suspension lift and mine still has the Lean.:eek:
     
  8. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:11 PM
    #8
    goufcustom

    goufcustom [OP] 7.62x63mm

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    Mine is neutral...
     
  9. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:13 PM
    #9
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

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    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    if you're on a tight budget, you could just swap it out with a newer pack, or a TSB pack.

    there's a ton of members that make due with neutral arch packs, but if you haul you're in the zone where it's not a huge necessity, but it couldnt hurt
     
  10. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:15 PM
    #10
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    AAL will help, its inexpensive too... I picked up Toytec AAL off craigslist for $20...
     
  11. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:21 PM
    #11
    04LTtacoma

    04LTtacoma Well-Known Member

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    I thought taco lean was only on the 1st gens.
     
  12. Jan 2, 2012 at 3:36 PM
    #12
    goufcustom

    goufcustom [OP] 7.62x63mm

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    Will AALs be a good thing with neutral leafs? Although I am on a tight budget, I want to do it once, by doing it right. I am firmly against doing it half assed and having to do it again, grew up with that and hated having to duck tape everything back together...
     
  13. Jan 2, 2012 at 5:42 PM
    #13
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    If you want to do it right, replace the leaf pack with OME Dakar or All Pro leaf pack. Unfortunately I can't spend $500 on new leafs so I had to go the half assed way :rolleyes:
     
  14. Jan 2, 2012 at 5:46 PM
    #14
    samsung

    samsung Well-Known Member

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    undercover lid/Ipod integration kit/Pop n lock/bed rug, fumoto drain valve, full piping Wet Okole covers, Blacked out badges, Lamin-X fog light cover yellow, window tint, ARB deluxe bumper with fog light kit,DSM UCA'S,3 support shrockworks sliders,complete OME lift with 886X coil and dakar leaf spring with 3 degree axle shims and center pin lenghtener,warn VR10000 winch,amsteele blue synthetic rope, daystar winch isolator, daystar delrin rollers, IPF 900xs Extreme Driving H9 Kit 900XSD (900XSD),Horn on fire with shot Penning,
    if you need some stock trd or shock suspension i have a set with about 1k miles on them. let me know.
     
  15. Jan 2, 2012 at 6:05 PM
    #15
    goufcustom

    goufcustom [OP] 7.62x63mm

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    PM'd YES :D
     
  16. Jan 2, 2012 at 6:06 PM
    #16
    goufcustom

    goufcustom [OP] 7.62x63mm

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    Didn't realize new leaf packs were that much... :eek:
     
  17. Jan 2, 2012 at 6:19 PM
    #17
    samsung

    samsung Well-Known Member

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    pm'ed back
     
  18. Jan 2, 2012 at 8:53 PM
    #18
    06tacomakev

    06tacomakev Well-Known Member

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    I was going to ask the same question about the happy sad leaf pack.
    I used to run a spoa conversion on my samurai for crawling and the negative arch helped but I think I am going to go with new rear leafs for the Tacoma. I have a very sad looking three leaf pack over my rear.
    I see toytech has the option with their ultimate kit which pushes my total kit ,UCA and leafs up to $1900.
    And this is just the beginning!
     

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