Why Don't Tacomas Have Coil Springs in the Rear?

Yup, it's simple just do a 3 link or 4 link rear end if you don't like leafs. There are two ways to do links - desert style links with the coilover going to link itself or crawler style links with the coilover going directly to the axle. I went with the desert style because I had a design in mind to minimize any loss of bed space in my already useless short bed. Links are not just for trophy trucks they have a lot of advantages other than the crazy amount of travel you gain. I went to a linked rear end because over the years I destroyed a couple of $1000 custom leaf packs, always had to order " expo " packs to handle full loaded weight for trips but then the other 300 days per year your truck rides like a pogo stick on those expo leafs, ride height was not adjustable, axle roll issues, dealing with pinion shims, etc etc... With links you can use 12" or longer dual rate coilovers which gives you infinite adjustability between the tender spring and main spring and pressure etc, adjustable ride height IE: I run it pretty soft and squishy like a Caddy for daily driving then when I need to load up for a trip I can just jack up the rear end and add some pre load to accommodate the added weight or swap out springs which is a breeze too. Pinion angle is super easy to adjust with a link set up you simply dial in the 3rd member...all leaf issues = gone.

This was built by JTA MEtalfab AKA @jeffz0rz , super stoked on the results. We laid under the truck for as couple of days measuring and talking about it all with the goal of not having the coilover penetrate the bed and with 55" links and 12" coilovers it still pulls 20" of travel bumped and strapped... just what everyone needs to go surfing / camping

 

Awesome response. I have to ask though, how much was that all in total?

 

I honestly do not know what the full price tag would be for the rear end. Jeff made me a great deal because he was just starting up his business full time and I did a lot of the grunt work for him too IE: prep and grinding, cutting off OE bits and pieces, fed his dogs and chickens, bought him burritos etc... @jeffz0rz what is the going rate for your 3 link w/o coilovers ?

 

Yes. Unless you have adjustable coilovers it's easier to add or remove a leaf or two until your desired ride height is achieved. Bastard backs are exactly this (like the rear on mine).

 

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First born child is an acceptable form of payment. Of course there's always a handy from the misses. Either one will work for me.

 

I wish I could find someone that's done this.

I have a wrecked 4 runner down the road I could probably just take parts off of.

 

Would be more beneficial to start from scratch then to adapt the 4Runner suspension. All you really need is the appropriate coils, and everything else is some moderate to mild fabrication & cycling.

 

I'm to dumb for that. I'd have to find a local dude to help me out, a lot.

 

Wow, it's going to be just as hard if not harder two use all the factory 4runner stuff. You can save a little time by just using the 4Runner axle and just connecting the dots.

 

If you think about it makes sense one Tacoma side leafs you just bolt to the chassis and then bolt axle

i said don't quote me on this lol

 

4 linked rear suspension... a lot of prerunner guys out west do it. very pricey lots of fab work.

 

sorry didn't read whole thread. @Evenflow had a nice response.

 

@Evenflow link to build thread???

 

Toyota says otherwise. They've repeatedly said they use a flatter leaf pack for ride quality reasons.

 

correct me if im wrong but aren't all vehicles equipped with leafs spring over axle?

 

Stand corrected.

 

5 lug tacomas are spring under axle, and 4x4 s10's

 

Uh oh someone's been drinking the Toyota Koolaid how the heck is a flat leaf pack that bounces like a pogo stick and caves in under load going to have a better ride quality than a leaf pack with a nice arch to it ?

let's just stick to math and science and geometry...

Here is a quick sketch on my tablet, draw a line from where the front hangar is to the rear shackle by going over the top of the axle = flat leaf pack period end of story. Take those same two points and draw your leaf line going under the axle = nice arch. That is why anyone trying to get a good performing leaf pack goes to a spring under design.