New Truck, Flat Rear Springs

I have two 2015 Tacoma TRD OR DCSB trucks. Took a look at the rear leaf springs to find them both completely flat across with an unloaded truck. Talking zero arch. Is this right? What gives? Any load will put these springs into negative arch?!

 

Are you sure they're flat? I find it hard to believe that a year old truck has completely flat packs. Pics? Also how many miles on the trucks?

 

Totally serious and totally weird. Neither truck has more than 6k on em. And I haven't hauled or towed anything other than a dirtbike in the bed once! I'll take some pics and post em.

You would think the OR trucks especially would have some arch in the springs. I mean, the SR Tacos sit a little lower than TRD models right? Are their springs already in negative arch from the factory?

 

It seems like they all are.

 

Maybe they will end up having a TSB for the Springs like the older ones.

 

Yeah pictures would definitely help. I know the TRD and SR5 models are the same height.

 

is this your first Toyota truck? The Toyota packs are far flatter than any other manufactures, but they also provide better ground clearance by not having low hanging mounting points common with the large arch packs.

 

There all like this that I've seen, here is my 15 with 9000 miles, looks the same as the day I got her, except for 3" lift. Looks like its straight I know I've always driven Jeeps I'm used to the big arch, not that way on Tacoma's.

 

It does look flat doesn't it....but with the small space between the overload and the third spring wouldn't that show they still have some curve (if not small) to them? Makes me wanna go check my 14.

 

Samsies on my 15.

Time for a Dakar pack?

 

The overload spring is actually negatively arched! That would indicate to me that the leaf pack is supposed to be flat (or near it) with the weight of an unloaded truck on it. Still baffling to me. I guess Toyota figures there's no problem with the springs going into negative arch on a regular basis? Maybe the arch of a leaf spring doesn't even matter?

 

Ohh wow I can't even tell that but I believe you. I have noticed that my well everything just feels kinda jumpy you move or bounce and the Tacoma feels like it's jostling. I had around 300lbs in the bed yesterday. I was surprised by how much lower the Truck was. I've been looking at doing a leak pack just not sure which one would be best for us. I'm seriously going to have to go look at my pack now make sure it's not as flattened out as yours is.

 

time for airbags.

 

mine on my 11 were shaped like a "W".. put air bags on not they look nice and happy again. many ways to fix this from new OEM springs to add-a-leaf to aftermarket to air bags. I took what was the least expensive and most adjustable route.

 

That's how they're designed. A Tacoma is a light duty truck. Sporty, for sure, but light duty.

 

Flat spring packs are increasingly common on trucks because they provide a better ride than spring packs with a high arch. Since the majority of people use their 'trucks' as 'cars' manufacturers are more concerned with ride quality than with load capacity. Toyota's leaves are designed as a 'flat pack' intentionally.

 

The leaf packs are well known to be lackluster, even by Toyota. If you're going to be hauling, towing, or getting a cap, you'll need air bags or helper springs or get a new leaf pack. Determine your needs and budget. Sucks I know, but everyone who owns this truck is in the same situation. Toyotas remedy for this was bs. Add another shitty leaf. Should have been a class action lawsuit considering the magnitude of it.

 

This.

Toyota has said lots of times, actually, every time - they designed the Tacoma leaf springs to be FLAT. Not arched like "traditional" leaf springs.

 

I added Hellwigs to mine. I had the TSB done on my 11 to help the arch but then added the Hellwigs for added support when hauling. They were well priced on Amazon and super easy to install.

I'd call the stealership and ask about a TSB. May have to do what we did, load it up, hit a speed bump and let it bounce on the bump stops once or twice and claim a 'harsh ride'