Increasing Tacoma's GVWR

[Plannerman]

So, as a long time lurker (this site rocks), I've finally decided to participate and post.

After many short desert trips, I finally ran the Mojave Road a few months ago. As the only pick up in the group, I somehow managed to end up carrying lots of extra gear for the others in the group with smaller cargo capacities. I didn't mind, but it occurred to me that cargo capacity can get eaten up very quickly. So assuming:

Cargo capacity: 1500 lbs

Additional equipment:
Skids: 200 lbs
Front Bumber and winch: 175 lbs
Sliders: 80 lbs

Two people (driver and passenger): 350 lbs

Half my capacity is gone, before adding recovery gear, food, water, fuel, fire wood, etc.

This has led me to the question: is it possible to increase the Tacoma's gross vehicle weight rating? If so, what is the weak link on our trucks? The springs? The breaks? The axles? etc., etc., etc.

 

[J-man]

just beef up your rear springs, lift the front a little - soo many options to choose from. I ended up making an 8 leaf pack out of a long add a leaf, and an extra set of tacoma leaves and that made it stout. IT all depends on what your goals are.

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

In the right direction

Well, at least you have the right idea. GVWR is a combo of several items, not just heavier springs. To help with the load of my pop up camper and camping stuff, I have added Deaver 10 pack leaf springs and Firestone air bags in the rear and Icon coil overs in the front. If you do hard core four wheeling, stay away from air bags. They limit wheel travel.
Rear brakes are drums so they are not modifiable. Front brakes I have Hawk HPS pads with slotted and drilled rotors. Big difference.
Too much weight and we may want to add structure to the frame.
Hope his helps.
Jeff

 

[bat]

no

 

[jh504]

Axles definitely are not an issue. I used to haul a lot of weight with my Tacoma for work. I was doing construction in New Orleans after Katrina and I had to haul EVERYTHING to the job site in the morning and load it all back up in the evening. People would rob you blind if you didnt, that includes lumber and any other building materials. I would load the truck with all of my tools including a generator and anything else you can think of needing on a job site. Then I hooked up to my 4x8 trailer and loaded it down with as much lumber as would fit on it. I have no idea how much this weighed but it was probably more than I should have been hauling. The truck would almost be sitting on the bump stops.

I added a pair of stiff add-a-leafs to help out with loads and it added an extra 500 lbs to my spring capacity. I would suggest starting out with some add-a-leafs and see how your truck handles loaded off-road. If you are satisfied with it then you got off cheap. You can trouble shoot from there. My guess is the add-a-leafs and maybe some heavier shocks will be just what you're looking for.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[Mr. Leary]

I would not worry too much about the increased weight on the rear axle. It can take the extra weight. Beefing up the suspension is the first priority to restore your angles, geometry, and ride quality while loaded. Another thing that needs to be done is to increase braking ability, which is already been mentioned... Getting the power back would be best remedied with gears.

What year Taco do you have?

 

[thecriscokid]

I have been wondering the same. What are all the factors involved in a manufacturer creating the GVW? The obvious are suspension, brakes, axles. Are factory tires involved ( I woud guess) Are there other things that shoulld be upgraded?
I have updraded front and rear suspension, brakes, tires, and I often travel right around the GVW that my truck is rated for and I still have many things to add to my rig (bumpers,winch,sliders) If you add +500lbs rear springs, does this justify a +500lb GVW?

Good first question, Welcome!

 

[18seeds]

i need to do this also.

I have the Toytec Ultimate Lift kit which uses a small AAL. Should I just have a custom AAL made? Replace the whole leaf pak?

What option are out there for overload type springs?

 

[02tacotoy]

Dont forget about the brakes! A lot of the rated towing capacity depends on the ability to safely stop the rig.

You can increase the Rotors and calipers with after market stuff or just Try searching the Tundra brake mod.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Dont forget about the brakes! A lot of the rated towing capacity depends on the ability to safely stop the rig.

You can increase the Rotors and calipers with after market stuff or just Try searching the Tundra brake mod.

You are assuming he has a '96-'04 Taco. We need to find out first, otherwise I am in complete agreement about the Tundra brakes.

 

[Willman]

X2 Tundra brake mod!

Its on the list

 

[jh504]

GVWR is based on a lot of principles in how the vehicle is manufactured.

Brakes
Suspension
Axles
Transmission/ T case
Frame
And also vehicle weight and manufacturing components.

If you find yourself needing to upgrade all of these things it may be time to upgrade your vehicle to a 1/2 or 3/4 ton.

Toyotas are overbuilt though. You can upgrade your brakes, suspension, and gears and get a long way. I think with a simple rear suspension upgrade you will see a big difference. It will be much stiffer when unloaded though.
The thing that will get you on a Tacoma is the frame strength. When I was hauling that much weight regularly I was definitely starting to open up a large crack in between my cab and my bed from causing the frame to sag in the rear. It is a light truck, you cant get past that.

 

[Mr. Leary]

GVWR is based on a lot of principles in how the vehicle is manufactured.

Brakes
Suspension
Axles
Transmission/ T case
Frame
And also vehicle weight and manufacturing components.

If you find yourself needing to upgrade all of these things it may be time to upgrade your vehicle to a 1/2 or 3/4 ton.

Toyotas are overbuilt though. You can upgrade your brakes, suspension, and gears and get a long way. I think with a simple rear suspension upgrade you will see a big difference. It will be much stiffer when unloaded though.
The thing that will get you on a Tacoma is the frame strength. When I was hauling that much weight regularly I was definitely starting to open up a large crack in between my cab and my bed from causing the frame to sag in the rear. It is a light truck, you cant get past that.

To elaborate briefly on Taco frame issues... it is common to weld on brackets to strengthen the frame near the rear axle... I have seen many bent frames in that area.

 

[jh504]

To elaborate briefly on Taco frame issues... it is common to weld on brackets to strengthen the frame near the rear axle... I have seen many bent frames in that area.

With the amount of weight I was hauling that would have been a good idea.

 

[bat]

Overweight GVW and the insurance companys :Wow1: