Suspension Repairs / Upgrades

Hello all - new to the site, but not new to Toyota. I’m on my second Tacoma. My 2017 SR5 4x2 has been great for driving back and forth from the office with occasional tree branches or rocks hauled in the bed from time to time. My work now is starting to include more travel across oil field lease roads, and as such, the suspension has taken a beating.

In an ideal world I would sell this truck and make a lateral move to a similar year sr5 4x4 or trd Offroad but I’m just no able to do that right now financially.

I have 65,000 miles on the truck and the leaf pack is making squeaking noises and there’s a front right “knock” noise when I turn right over bumps or parking garage ramps.

I power wash it when the roads are wet and the lease roads turn to mud roads. I’ve tried to spray white lithium inbetween the leafs and bearings. That helped some but hasn’t eliminated the squeaks.

I’ll need new tires soon and plan to go with bfgoodrich A/Ts. I’d like to keep the truck stock lift-wise but am open to a more Offroad-ish suspension. Any recommendations?

what could be producing the knocking noise, control arms? I am handy with tools on most things but suspension is new for me.
Thanks I’m advance!

 

Welcome!

your cheapest stock-size route would be to get some takeoffs from a Tacoma Off-road. They are quite abundant, many times for free or cheap (including leaf springs). I would check your state forum here and post to see if anyone has anything.

if you have ~$1k to spend and would take a 1.5” lift get some Bilstein 5100s and an Icon RXT leaf pack on Stage 1.

swapping suspension is an easy DIY if you’re handy with a wrench, and there are plenty of tutorials here and on YouTube (you will need an alignment after). The knocking is tricky without more trouble shooting, could be control arms, could be clapped-out coilovers, sway bar etc, if you can get a buddy to help identify exactly where it knocks that would be helpful information.

 

I had the front right knock over speed bumps while turning and such. I just ungraded my suspension and opted for new lower strut mount hardware up front. Consists of 2 bolts, 2 nuts, and 2 washers. All in all about 20 bucks from the dealership. I’m glad I did because the passenger lower strut bolt was slightly bent and in bad shape when I removed it. No more clunking up front after the new hardware.

I’d recommend going with some 5100s all around and maybe an add a leaf if you don’t want to shell out the cash for all new leaf packs. Doing an add a leaf gives you the chance to take your leaf packs apart and clean and lube between them to get rid of any squeaks.

 

I appreciate it. Can you send a photo of what a lower strut mount and hardware looks like or where it goes relative to the wheel well?

 

New front and rear shocks, new Deaver Stage 1 leaf spring pack for the rear, and these lower coil over lower mounts: https://www.303shockservices.com/product-page/toyota-lower-shock-bolt-set

 

Well I’ll be damned I should’ve done more research and went with those instead of new OEM hardware. It didn’t even cross my mind to look for aftermarket hardware that’s beefier in the right places. Thanks for the link, I’m going pick up a set.

 

As for the knock, could also be your sway bar bushings, radiator bushings, or loose hardware as stated above. You state an SR5 so loose skid plates shouldn't be an issue.

 

Another dumb question, do I need to get the truck off its weight in front with a jack to replace the bolts?

 

Absolutely. Otherwise it could be extremely dangerous if you just pull that bolt while compressed.

 

^ this. jack it up to obtain full droop!

 

Thanks guys!