Rear wheel not centered in wheel well, suspension replacement/upgrade

So just got a 96 2.7l 4x4 Tacoma, 222k. Drivers side rear wheel sits farther back in wheel well. Leafs seem compressed on that side, but wheel seems to be centered in them. Frame needs some more work on that side too. Going to try and have frame patched and get the rear suspension sorted at the same time. Don't want to add any height, but would be into an upgrade. Any suggestions, or should I just go oem?

 

Also, does anyone know of a good shop near Lexington ky who does frame work on these?

 

change the ball joints. yeah just get some off the shelf oe ones. fluid film it, you got pics? maybe its too far gone

 

It's not making any noise, or driving poorly, just not centered in the wheel well, have read that's not super uncommon on these, but seems like the leafs are toast anyway, so figured might as well get it taken care of.

 

Looks like my rear shock is overly compressed on the drivers side, maybe that's what's causing the wheel to set back further? Here are pics of the right side, which seems pretty centered.

 

Here is the left, which is noticeably more toward the back of the wheelwell

 

The shocks do not locate the rear axle. The leaf springs do.

Rather than trusting your eye, I suggest measuring the location of rear axle on each side. Maybe someone with more experience could chime in, but I think you could measure the distance from the center of the front hub to the center of the rear hub. That or some point on the frame to the axle on each side.

Why do think your leaf springs are shot? They aren’t a wear item, but they have been known to crack and rust.

 

If you look at rear the leaf attachment point on the passanger, the leaf springs look to be bent down slightly compared to the drivers side.

 

Get out your tape measure.

 

From rear leaf bolt to back of hub is exactly the same length on both sides?

 

Has new control arms already, have heard good things about oem rear setup, will likely go that route. Think frame is too far gone for fluid film atm. Plan is to get it fixed then fluid film everything underneath.

 

Update, frame repair on drivers side added material to bottom and side of frame, front leaf bracket sits lower and maybe further out, so wheel is pushed back.
Question.
How bad is this for my vehicle? Plan is to have old fix cut out and add saf t cap to that area. Rest of frame seems to be solid.

 

Looks strong enough, just hate my wheel being off center

 

Probably just dog walks a little bit. Fixs are: Redo the whole frame fix or ever so slightly move that leaf hanger forward

 

Appreciate the feedback, I'll likely just get the hanger moved for now!