OMG not another lift thread.

Well all the suspension threads are on lifting the Taco. I am looking to accomplish something different...

I want to level the truck and increase payload. The stock 2 leaf pack sucks donkey balls! I had 25 60lbs bags of concrete in the bed and the truck was sitting on bump stops. Good thing was that I was going only 5minutes from Home Depot to the job site... I would NEVER do this on a long trip!

Front is pretty straight forward;

- Billstein 5100's

Now my question is. If I want to just level the truck, can I re-use the stock springs, or do I need to get aftermarket springs?

Rear;

I do NOT want to raise the rear at all! To increase payload I could do either new leaf pack or air bags. All the new leaf packs I have seen online lift the rear, which I don't want to do...

Does anyone make bolt on airbag kit for the Taco? Will airbags effect flex off road? Another issue with airbags is that they need to be aired up and down which can be a pain... What size/strength compressor I would need?

 

from what i have read, air bags will affect flex off road. but thats the only answer that i know to your questions....

 

I don't know much about air bags but you can use your stock springs with the 5100's.

 

Just get Timbrens and be done with it...

 

Another question;

The 5100's have 4 settings;

- stock ride height

- 0.85" average lift

- 1.75" average lift

- 2.5" average lift

Which setting will level my truck? 0.85" or 1.75"?

 

Do you have the TSB leafs in the back?

 

Nope stock leafs.

 

Ah, we don't have those in Canada, well I should say the TSB leafs are stock here, better let an American answer that one for you.

 

Found this;

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/21531-timbren-spring-helpers-review-pics.html

Seems like they are GREAT with weight in the bed, BUT suck ass unloaded

 

25 bags x 60lbs = 1,500 lbs = 3/4 ton

I don't disagree that the leaf packs suck, but they stood absolutely no chance with this amount of weight in the bed. It would appear that you need a bigger truck.

 

Yes I know it was too much weight...LOL If you count me and all the tools in the truck it was about 1800lbs, however the 4.0L did awesome and I hardly noticed the truck was loaded that heavy!

I am happy with the Taco, I don't haul loads like this often, but I use the truck to its full capability when I need to.

 

Air bags do affect off road flex (droop) and can tear if they're flexed too far. You're not lifted so you might be fine with air bags. They should work fine through your stock travel but I'd ask the manufacturer to be sure. Firestone makes a set of air bags for our trucks. They are bolt on. You can get a kit that has on board air but it's pricey or you can get a cheap 12v compressor that runs off your cigarette lighter.

Timbrens can be used as mentioned above, they'll prevent the hard bottoming out. They're basically a tall bump stop made specifically to support weight.

Last option for no lift is new leaf springs. Alcan can make a custom set to whatever specification you'd like (lift, load capacity, etc). It's pricey though, like around the $500+ mark.

You can re-use your stock coils with 5100's up front.

Measure from fender to the center of the hub both front and back. The difference is the setting you should set the fronts at. Without a TSB rear, you'll most likely be at .85 and have a little bit of rake left (not much but 1.75 will put you nose high). I'd figure out what you're doing for the rear first and then worry about the front setting.

 

Thanks! The Firestone air bags look very good! I think thats the route I will go. I bet I can add on board compressor for $100-$200 as well...