Spongy rear suspension

If the shocks are shot at 12k, that's just pathetic. However, even good shocks can't properly dampen lousy springs.

Couple of simple tests before you proceed. Put a zip tie (as tight as you can) around each shock shaft at the top of the shock body and go for a drive where you know the ride is poor. Then look at the zips and see where they were moved to. If they are off the end or at the very end you know that the shock does not have enough travel for the springs. Pretty much meaning the springs are shot.

Assuming the shocks have nothing to do with axle locating (I don't think they do, but check it out) you can unhook the shocks and secure them out of the way (or remove if you prefer) and go for a ride. How much worse is the ride? If it's worse, you at least know they were working 'some'. If there is no real difference, except maybe a faster bounce, you'll know they weren't doing much at all.

 

Ok, question. Is there a certain way that the 5100's should be installed in the rear? Boot up or boot down?

 

boot up because you want the liquid in the shock to stay away from the orifice of the shock body. no real reason why, just a general rule of thumb.

 

Guess I installed them wrong then. Could that have lessened their life span?

 

Only if they have blown seals and lost their innards. But I sure would be flipping them over to see if that helps the ride.

 

Ok, looks like I have something to do after work tomorrow

 

Go for that test ride while they are off.

 

Will do. Thanks for the help!

 

yep, you should be good so long as you didn't lose any liquid.

 

Results?

 

Weather didn't want to cooperate. Going to check today since it's going to be nice

 

I have a complete Dakar leaf set I'm posting up this weekend to sell. You should buy it. That'll fix your prob

 

How much

 

Better yet, why are you selling the set? Just bought a set and now you have me suspicious. Something better come along?

 

Bought the truck used and it already had the lift. I'm removing the lift and installing the stock lift back on the truck with some bilstein 5100's set at 1.75.

 

Says you have a 2014. Dont think they're compatible

 

Ahh I wasn't paying attention to what year you had. Youre right they are not compatible.

 

Your issues sound very similar to the ride/handling problems I was having when my truck had the stock suspension. Only 50,000 miles on it at the time, but the suspension was AWFUL. Dangerously so. Small bumps would bottom it out in the front and send the rear of the truck sideways. Rear springs were negatively arched and only offered an inch or so of up travel before hitting the bumpstops.

Best thing I ever did was replace the suspension. In the rear I went with greasable shackles, OME Dakars and OME Nitrocharger Sport shocks. Difference is night and day; more control, better ride, more travel, more load capacity. Couldn't be happier. By the sound of it your rear leafs are toast, so just replacing shocks isn't going to solve your problem.

 

I installed General HD leaf springs last weekend and my rear raised about 3.5 inches. I had same issues on my tacoma which you stated in your original post. Settled about half an inch or so, but haven't really checked. Ride quality I find is much better and I can load stuff at the box store without worrying about bottoming out on the crappy new orleans roads.

 

Mine likes to try to change lanes when going over train tracks lol. Not really looking for that much lift as the front will be replaced with 881 OME coils. Got to keep the lift under 2.5" due to me having Camburg UCA's