Need help with sagging rear end...on my truck

I've never posted on this forum before but have used it extensively when researching ideas on upgrades for my Tacoma. So thank you to everyone who posts on this forum. You've saved me hours and headaches on a lot of my upgrade projects.

This is my first post so I'd appreciate any and all feedback on this issue.

I have a 2007 2nd Gen Tacoma Double Cab Long Bed 2WD. It has a camper shell on the rear with a hard top tent on top. The tent is first gen and very heavy. I also usually have a bike rack on the rear with an e-MTB on it. This is my daily driver but also my weekend warrior and a few trips to the beach during the week.



The springs are completely flat and I've been researching suspension upgrades of new leaf springs vs helper springs vs air bags vs....

I do a lot of camping and mostly head out to the Anza Borrego Desert (Blair Valley area) when I can. Nothing too extreme for offroading hence the 2WD. Mostly fire road with sand, some ruts, and washboard.

I'm fairly handy and have done all the repairs and maintenance on my Tacoma myself, including simple wiring. I feel fairly confident I can replace the leaf springs myself with the help of a friend.

I ended up here: replacing the leaf springs with the ARB Old Man Emu Leaf Spring - Heavy Load - EL112R but wanted to get your input on what you would do or any suggestions. Eventually, I plan on getting a 4x4 (after all my kids graduate from college), so for now it is my 2X4 and I, and I just want to make sure it is safe.

Thanks for taking a look and giving me some advice/input.

Cheers.

 

A full spring pack beats an add a leaf all day.
As you have found out, the OE springs are “less than adequate” to start with.
Throw weight on them and you’re looking up at the sky.

My vote is, Full replacement Spring Pack.

 

Thanks for the comment. Any specific full Spring Pack you would recommend over the ARB Old Man Emu Leaf Spring - Heavy Load - EL112R?

 

I would definitely recommend getting a full leaf pack replacement instead of an AAL. I have the Icon 1.5” AAL and it’s a great product but it really doesn’t help much at all with keeping the truck level. Especially if all your other springs are already shot.

Unfortunately I’ve never had a full replacement leaf pack so I can’t help out with recommendations in that area. I will have to upgrade to a full new pack at some point as well; I wish I had just done that in the first place.

 

Nothing useful to add, other than that is a nice looking rig

 

What about Deaver? Would a stage 1 pack turn into a W?
Stage 2 is 400 lbs constant weight, he's halfway there with a canopy and rack

 

At a minimum go with full leaf replacement. I went with the Heavy Duty OME Dakar packs and even those started sagging after about a year with my load out:



Recently added Firestone airbags with Daystar cradles:



No more sag and now I can make adjustments depending on the load:

 

Thanks for the advice Gallowbraid. Also, nice looking rig.

The common theme from everyone is definitely a new leaf pack. So that is what I’m going with for now.

I’ve finally decided on the Icon RXT Leaf set with Icon shocks. They were on sale and budget is key right now.

I’ll post some after pics once I’m done.

Cheers.

 

Dobinsons is another manufacturer of leafs springs for our trucks. https://www.dobinsonsdirect.com/pro...pair-for-toyota-tacoma-2005-to-2019-l59-112-r

I was checking them out when shopping for some new leaf springs on my 07 Prerunner. That was until the recall leaf packs were put on and I added an AAL along a set of the blue Sumo Springs. I went with the Sumo Sprngs for their simplicity and zero maintenance once installed. https://www.superspringsinternational.com/sumosprings/

I don't run with a RTT, but carry a few containers of full of gear (100lbs) along with my cap (200lbs) daily. Then when I'm taking off somewhere there will be at least one dirt bike on a hitch carrier or two dirt bikes loaded on a trailer along more camping gear in the bed. There may be a little rake when not fully loaded, but definitely no sag when heading out for another adventure.

If you don't already have, you might want to consider a set of bed stiffeners. Plenty of them out there. I went with CaliRaised, now in TX. https://caliraisedled.com/products/...lIO8HKzD0aAnPLEALw_wcB&variant=11689196552234

Daily load


One bike with a lot of gear in the bed.

 

BlkDakDave
Thanks for the tips on the Summo Springs and especially the bed stiffeners. I'll definitely get a set of the stiffeners now. I do carry a ton of crap in the back along with the shell and RTT. Most likely will need the Summo Springs down the road too. Thanks.

 

Another vote for the Icon RXT leaf pack. I've got a cap and around 80 lbs of stuff as constant weight so I set mine to stage 2.

 

Damn nice looking truck!

 

Thanks man! I appreciate that. It's come a long way since buying it bone stock a year ago

 

@Gallowbraid What Ubolt flip kit you using and what kind spacer you use between that and the cradle?

 

That's Trail Gear's flip kit with a peice of 1.5"x2" .120 wall rectangular tube acting as a spacer. It's bolted to the plate where the bump stop normally would. That's temporary as I'm putting together a solution that will integrate a bump stop as well and more fully support the cradles.

 

general spring makes a heavy duty leaf pack

had mine for a decade, hauled waaaaaay more weight than i should have and they are just now flattening out.

they're cheap too

only downfall is, without a load, they aren't progressive, so really really stiff ride.
your shell and tent will take care of that though

 

Why would you need a bump stop with the air bags there? Air are suppose to always have at least 5 psi in them. I always assumed it was because of the bump stop removal.

 

Had the same issue. I am in sd. I searched and in a few weeks found a used Deaver stage 3 for $850. Put them in and never looked back. I have a shell, half inc ply cabinet system, water tank plus gear. Not a worry now.

 

I would stay away from arb leafs. Unless you want alot of noise. Pick dobinsons, icon rtx or deavers what ever works with your budget

 

It's still possible for the daystar cradles to bottom out. Without the cradle it's probably not necessary.