Suspension overhaul for 2004 tacoma

Hey All!

I tried searching the forums but couldn't find exactly what I needed. I currently own the truck pictured below, bought used 1.5 years ago. Its been fantastic so far but have lately noticed a deterioration in ride quality and want to overhaul the suspension.

Have been looking on-line and can't quite nail down what a good overall option would be. We do light off-roading on mostly forest service roads with no real need for a huge lift or overland kit.

The truck does have quite a bit of weight in the back with the topper and homemade drawer set up and along with new shocks/struts I'd like to add a re-inforced leaf package to support the weight.

I've found packages like but not sure if they will fit the bill for what I am looking for.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how to beef up the stability without going crazy on price and/or lift kit I would really appreciate it. Basically looking for a good solid upgrade to get us in the mountains and carry the weight of topper, drawers and possibly a roof box.

Thanks!

 

Bumping.

I'm in the same boat. I've got a 98 Taco with (I think?) the stock leaf springs with an added leaf. They seem to make the truck sit level when my canopy is installed, but anything else thrown in the back such as my camper setup and I start to dip.

From what I read elsewhere on TW, the Dakar leafs seem to be a solid and popular choice. It looks like there's also an you can purchase separately to beef them up a little more.

But to reiterate OP, I'm also open to alternatives!

 

Yea, going to suggest a dakkar pack with the extra leaf. I run it and dont even really carry much in the bed except for some sand around winter time.

 

After driving around on worn out shocks, stock front coils & leaf springs for many years, ( Yikes!) I got tired of the poor handling/sagging when loaded issues with my truck. I bought the OME complete suspension kit with 883 front coils, Nitrocharger Sports shocks, Dakar springs, D43XL add a leaf, OME greasable shackles & other associated hardware for the suspension install, and the Light Racing upper control arms. The suspension install & alignment was well worth it for me! My truck handles great on the highway/street. I'm waiting for my stainless steel brake line upgrade/bleed brake service and I'm looking forward to trying out my truck offroad. The cost of the complete OME suspension kit/installation & labor/alignment wasn't cheap, but it's buy once, cry once type of purchase. Considering that I owned & drove my truck with the worn out shocks & stock front coils & leaf springs, I should have done my suspension upgrades years ago.

You have a nice truck rig! I like your camper shell with high clearance and the drawer system. You can start out with an affordable suspension upgrade with some Bilstein 5100 shocks and add the upgraded struts/leaf springs when you have more money in your budget. It also allows you to mix or match your suspension gear on your truck and it doesn't have to be an arms race to compete with some of the other truck owners on this forum who have high end suspension gear like Fox or Icon installed on their trucks.