Stock ride height rear suspension help

Looking for some advice on how to solve this riddle the most efficient way:
I have a “mostly” stock 2018 OR 4x4 longbed with around 2-300 lbs in the bed most of the time. I’m still stock, except Sport shocks instead of OR (I prefer the firmer on road performance).

I purchased a used set of BLUE SumoSprings intending them to “help” and maybe restore some height (from the added weight). However, when under the truck for my 50K, I noticed the bump stops have been doing their job and the space for the sumos are about 1/2 height and the leafs are essentially a W.

I’m thinking the compressed sumos will help, but it needs more… perhaps Helwig EZ-990 (#980) add-a-leaf. Or is this a replace situation (Dakar?). I don’t want lift (just restore), and plan mostly road, farmland/logging roads off-road. Thoughts?

 

I'd probably try the add a leaf or a 3leaf AAL from Icon or Deaver. With 2-300lbs you're probably only about 1-2 inches sag from OE height. So an AAL that gives 1-2inches of lift should put you approximately back to OE height.

 

Personally, if the leaf springs are flat or W, I'd get new leaf springs. Using an add a leaf or load support (sumo springs) are a bandaid to the issue. Unfortunately, I haven't replaced leaf springs, so I couldn't tell you which set to go with. 1" lift leaf spring will probably put you about OE ride height with the constant additional weight.

 

I'm wondering what model of the Billstein shocks are on a TRD Offroad, Can anyone tell me ?

 

I can’t recall (edit: I seem to remember someone saying a one off 4600) but they’re the Lincoln Continental of shocks. I don’t have much of hills, much less rocks… so stability is worth more, thus the move to the sport. I had an SR5 and it was a good compromise.

Another option I considered is having Alcan make a solution/spring pack.

 

The factory Bilstein shock does not match up with aftermarket Bilstein shocks. They are not 4600's.

 

So you have weight in the bed and you do not want a lift. Factory Tacoma leaf springs under normal load are flat. This is to provide the smoothest softest ride possible for the light back end of the truck. Unfortunately this means the weight capacity isn't the best. If you don’t want a lift and you want to have more capacity, then an AAL is not what you want. Look in your area for a spring manufacturer. Go in there and have a discussion with them and maybe they can make something that will fit your needs. It might be a little more money, but in the long run it should give you what you want vs. something like an AAL that will sag out over time.

 

Wha????????????????? On road performance from a rear shock????? You went from a beefy shock to a little girlie shock, and your curious as to why??????

 

For best performance, leaf springs should be flat at normal load/ ride height. Due to many factors that can’t always be achieved, but the Tacoma is very good in that respect. (From the factory and before sag sets in). So flat does not mean worn out on a Tacoma like it would on some other vehicles.

 

I have the Roadmaster Active Suspension and love it. Increases rear height and give a better ride even unloaded. And zero maintenance.

 

I was wondering this when looking at mine the other day. I'm more of a bike guy so not a bunch of leaf spring experience. They looked almost flat or W'ed from what I've read here that's no good. Seemed odd to me because the truck only has 25k on it and I hardly ever have any weight in the back.

Thanks for posting this. Good info

 

From a full set. Yep, went from OR LB to SP LB. Sure, I could have blown 1K and gone all aftermarket, but why? Shocks have very little to do with load capacity. They are about ride control.

 

This is the Alcan route. It’s probably where I’ll end up, but I’m open to those that may have more insight /experience/knowledge. I’m not planning to Backyard Baja, so I don’t need TCs, Kings, with 40s. Simply a properly functional semi-stock. I’ll try and get some measurements and photos for better consideration.

 

Deaver Stage I leaf pack

 

You are well within the GVWR. What problem are you trying to solve?

In any case, this might be useful to you.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3-leaf-aal-and-weight-sag-data-from-scales.577329/

 

It’s a commonly believed myth.

 

I think a custom leaf pack is overkill for your intended use.

 

That’s not true. The more weight you add, the more damping you need. That’s one reason why pickups seem stiff when unloaded.

If you want a deep dive:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator

 

Here is a easier to read article. Although it is for coil springs, most the concepts are applicable to leaf springs.

http://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/coilover-spring-rates-for-toyota-tacoma-4runner/

 

When a coil spring lengthens and compresses, the wheel hub moves in the same plane as the coil, Ie up and down, When a leaf spring moves up or down, it actually moves the axle backwards (or forwards depending on the shackles) as well as up and down. Having the leaf spring flat under normal load minimizes the amount of forward and back axle movement. There is far more, but that’s the basic reason as to why flat leaf springs are optimal. Some vehicles (like say old F150) come with very arched springs that flatten over time, so on that specific vehicle flat springs is a sign of being worn out, and I think that’s where the flat-spring = worn out myth comes from. But on the Tacoma (or Tundra, 4 runner, Probably even new F150 and many others) it’s not accurate.