Leaf Spring Advise Needed

I've got a 2006 TRD with 80K miles on it.

I'm about to buy a pop-up trailer so I'll be hauling some weight. Some folks have suggested that I get the TSB spring completed, but mine is past the warranty period.

I'm not interested in chasing Toyota for the TSB nor am I interested in lifting my truck. I just want to address the weak rear springs.

Need some advise of which aftermarket leafs I should consider to replace the stock leafs ... or if add-a-leaf is the practical option.

Thanks.

 

I see these often recommended on here:

 

I put an add-a-leaf on for pulling my trailer with some quads. It made a pretty big difference...felt much more planted and strong enough to handle the load

Btw I had 115k on mine when I put mine in.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/194386-tacoma-spring-refurbishing.html

 

I had airbags on my last truck which was not lifted. Just used an air compressor to pump them up when I was carrying something. Let all the air out when I didn't have anything in the back.

Not sure exactly what the options are for airbags on the 2nd gens

http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/77A4899A3579352.aspx

Not leaf springs but another option to consider

 

Might try the Hellwig 550s. I have them on mine. Seemed to handle boat better but only towed a short distance once. I meant to measure the hitch height but forgot when I got to the street. I got the at Streetside Auto for about $65.

 

I just ordered the HD 5-pack springs, I'm in pretty much the same scenario. Except I'm hauling a 22ft travel trailer down to Colorado.

I'm planning on removing the 3rd leaf like it says in the description, because I don't want the back end of the truck lifted.

I'll post up when I get it installed, but I won't be able to report on the camper/tow until late July when I make the trip.

 

If aal removes the sag in the rear when the pop-up is hitched (or when I have load in general), what happens to the rear when there's no load? Does it then look lifted and awkwardly higher than the front end?

And what happens to my ride? I assume it will help the ride and level of the truck when it's loaded. But again, what's it like when it's not loaded - will the ride be a lot stiffer (as in a negative way) or will aal enhance the ride in general overall (with or without load)?

Thanks.

 

I guess the options I'm seeing are:
1. Airbags/compressor setup
2. New leaf pack
3. Add a leaf

If price wasn't an option, what's the pros and cons to these three.

To me seems like the airbag setup would give me the most versatility depending on what I'm hauling. I have a 700 lb ATV I like to haul on the truck, but some times in a trailer... and like I said, I'm also looking at buying a pop-up with an estimated tongue weight of 350-400 lbs.

This is my communicator truck too... and I fear with aal or a new, stiffer leaf pack... my ride would be harsher with no load.

Between these 3 options, aal would probably be the least costly. 1 and 2 may be even depending on the exact brand I go with, but correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Air bag is the best option. It gives you adjustable ride height when loaded and comfortable ride. All the rest will always have aome kind of change to your ride loaded or unloaded.

 

Add a leaf and you will get the best bang for the buck.

 

My opinions on the systems suggested. I'm not an expert or a mechanic, just my $0.02 from when I weighed out my options a couple years ago

1. Airbags/compressor setup
Pros: This gives you adjustability and lets you set the air bags to the load you are carrying. Installation is fairly simple and you do not have to replace any of your stock suspension parts.
Cons: You need to carry a compressor with you and, if you off road, they can limit downtravel. At stock height, that shouldn't be an issue for you.

2. New leaf pack
Pros: Gets rid of your worn out leaf pack, can be custom spec'd to perform how you wish.
Cons: This is probably your most expensive option and has the most difficult installation. Most aftermarket leaf packs will give you some lift also and, if you go with an HD leaf pack, can ride rough when unloaded because they were designed to carry weight.
3. Add a leaf
Pros: Cheap and fairly easy to install.
Cons: Throwing an AAL into a worn out leaf pack is a band aid. In a year or so, the AAL will sag and you'll be looking for another solution. If you want to stay at stock height, an AAL will lift the rear so you'd probably want to do something to the front so you're not overly ass-high when unloaded.

4. Old Man Doug's Spring Refurbishing
Pros: Cheap and effective. Essentially gives you a rebuilt leaf pack for a fraction of the cost of actually replacing your leaf pack.
Cons: Takes a little bit of guessing to get the ride height and load carrying capacity down because you'll be dealing with used parts. That said, Doug knows what he's doing and could give you some good insight.

 

Get the Firestone Ride rite air bags. They bolt on easy, you can leave your existing suspension on. If you dont install an air compressor you can fill the bags anywhere that has a compressor.

 

^^^^THIS

 

This. I did this on my last truck and I bought the kit that came with gauges, switches and a small compressor.

 

I have them on my truck currently. They gave me 2" of lift, which is way more then I wanted, so I ended up putting new springs in the front to level it out a little. My truck is a DCSB. Depending on the configuration of your truck you might be the same or less.
With the 2" of lift came bad vibrations. I have spent months trying all sorts of different configurations of axle shims and CB drop heights with no luck. I can get them better but not gone. So I am going to be taking out a leaf tomorrow to see if I can get them to go away.
If you do haul a lot of weight though this is the pack for you. I did haul 500lbs of 4 wheeler and gear in the bed and it barely sagged 3/4". If I didn't have the vibrations I would leave the pack like it is. I hope this helps.
Andrew

 

Thanks guys. This is awesome. I'm learning a bunch here.

I'm leaning towards the airbags... just makes sense for my application. Without load... I can't complain about the current ride of my '06 TRD (that's never had the TSB done). Can it be better? I don't know - I guess I just don't know any better until I ride in someone else's rig that has had the TSB completed. Until then, I really can't complain.

So I worry I could screw things up if I do an AAL or Leaf pack. Could it make my ride [unloaded] go from "ok" to bad (harsh, stiff, etc)? I know it will "change". I've read some say for the better... but I can't quite determine if these people were talking in the context of "better when it's loaded". But I do get the impression that it will be stiffer. And 90% of the time... my truck is unloaded. So I'm afraid it'll too stiff unloaded.

So for my few hauling needs during the warm months... with varying loads between a 700 lb ATV on my truck bed ... to a 400 lb tongue weight from a pop-up... the airbags seems to provide the most versatility... to get just the desired height regardless of what I'm hauling... AND get my truck back to "normal" when I'm back to community to the ole M-F grind.

I'd probably flip the extra coin, now (or may be later cuz it not cheap), to get the complete setup - small compressor, gauges, controllers, etc, for the airbags. And then, I'd be really curious what the subtle differences in ride comfort I can make by making just minor changes in pressure on the go.

My truck is stock height, so I'm glad to hear airbags won't really get in the way of down travel at this point.

I know some say airbags can leak over the years, yet still others say theirs don't after 9 years of ownership. But I suppose minor leaks won't be a factor with a compressor/controller setup - I think those maintain the pressure you set it to.

Anyway... from the looks of thing, these Firestone Ride-Rites are pretty popular. I'll have to check them out.

Thanks guys for all the feedback. By all means continue to stir me in the right direction...

 

I have had airbags (on my old rig), AAL, and Dakars on my trucks. The AALs and Dakars lifted the rear end. It rode great with the AALs. Felt like I had a lot of control but not at all harsh. The Dakars are a little harsh (but this isnt really an option for you since you are keeping it stock height) I got them in preparation for hauling some toys i plan to get (and for my mid travel lift i am getting...)

I had my T100 with firestone airbags for 3 years. I am not sure exactly when the previous owner installed them but I would guess he had them on there for a while. I never had any problems with them and the ride was good. I never drove it without the airbags so I can't say much as to how much it changed after they were installed. The suspension on it was all stock height.

Good luck with your decision!

 

Finally measured hitch height with Hellwigs. 1/2" drop with 3200 lb boat hooked up. Tongue weight 250 lbs.

 

Are pop-up trailers really that heavy?