06 Tacoma with ATC camper mod.
- Thread starter slooowr6
- Start date
Here is why I think the leaf spring is being form to a "S". It's a known issue that 05+ Taco come with soft leaf spring which gives it a great ride but not so great load capacity.
Front of the leaf spring the distance from primary leaf to over load:
Rear of the leaf spring the distance from primary leaf to over load:
The location of the air spring, it's in front of the axle:
Talked to a dealer this morning, they agree to do the TSB with my air spring and Bilstein on truck but they will take the shocks off and replace them with the shocks indicated in TSB. I'll need to put them back later. If this TSB goes through, I'll order Firestone air bags to replace the AirLift.
Front of the leaf spring the distance from primary leaf to over load:
Rear of the leaf spring the distance from primary leaf to over load:
The location of the air spring, it's in front of the axle:
Talked to a dealer this morning, they agree to do the TSB with my air spring and Bilstein on truck but they will take the shocks off and replace them with the shocks indicated in TSB. I'll need to put them back later. If this TSB goes through, I'll order Firestone air bags to replace the AirLift.
buldyourown
Observer
I have been very happy with my firestone airbags. I paid $250 for them. The mounts are very heavy duty. I've only ever put 20 psi in them when fully loaded and with heavy bikes on a trailer hitch rack. I use a bike pump for inflation since I already have one with me.
If anything, they are a bit stiff when empty. Firestone recommends a min of 5psi. Even with my canopy on there full time, the ride is stiffer than stock. It's not horrible, just an empty truck kinda bumpy.
If anything, they are a bit stiff when empty. Firestone recommends a min of 5psi. Even with my canopy on there full time, the ride is stiffer than stock. It's not horrible, just an empty truck kinda bumpy.
An update on the TSB for rear leaf spring. Looks like the demand for the leaf spring took Toyota by surprise. Dealer told me the parts are on back order and the system said it won't be available until mid Nov. 
Oh, boy I guess I need to be patient. My plan is to get the suspension beef up before adding more weigh to the truck. ...... Just need to be patient now...... :littlefriend:
Oh, boy I guess I need to be patient. My plan is to get the suspension beef up before adding more weigh to the truck. ...... Just need to be patient now...... :littlefriend:
Jacket
2008 Expedition Trophy Champion
Yea - that TSB is all over the tacoma forums, along with the long-awaited TSB for the weak tailgate. Toyota finally seems to be acknowledging the known weaknesses of the new trucks.
Regarding AT temps - I had my warning light come on Labor Day weekend while I was climbing one of the passes out here. Not sure what the temp is that triggers the light, but the Toyota tech I called guessed 225. I wasn't pleased......
There's another guy on the TTORA board that has hooked up a temp gauge, and has seen temperatures spike into the lower 200* area when towing at high speeds, and when running up hills on dirt roads.
I think there's reason to be concerned there. I'm going to research auxillary coolers this winter.
Regarding AT temps - I had my warning light come on Labor Day weekend while I was climbing one of the passes out here. Not sure what the temp is that triggers the light, but the Toyota tech I called guessed 225. I wasn't pleased......
There's another guy on the TTORA board that has hooked up a temp gauge, and has seen temperatures spike into the lower 200* area when towing at high speeds, and when running up hills on dirt roads.
I think there's reason to be concerned there. I'm going to research auxillary coolers this winter.
Matt,
I'm following that thread as well. Tacoma is working hard on any mountain pass with 900 lbs camper, 2 people and gears on board. I've the truck down shift to 3rd and rev at 4000 rpm on some highway. I'm going to wait and update my ScanGauge with AT temp reading to see what temp mine is running at before doing anything.
Alex
I'm following that thread as well. Tacoma is working hard on any mountain pass with 900 lbs camper, 2 people and gears on board. I've the truck down shift to 3rd and rev at 4000 rpm on some highway. I'm going to wait and update my ScanGauge with AT temp reading to see what temp mine is running at before doing anything.
Alex
A little update.
I gave up the idea of doing the leaf spring TSB. The new leaf from the TSB is like the current leaf with one more leaf above the over load. After giving more thought it's not worth the trouble. The Air-Lift air bag is replaced with Firstone air bag. The ride is more stable now. I believe the air bag location of Air-Life setup is causing the leaf spring to fold like a S when under load. It gives a unstable/squish feel when hit a dip on freeway. Firestone place the air bag directly above the rear axle so it does not have this issue. The ride now is firmer and more stable.
Next on the to-do list is tire. Still can't decide 255/85/16 or 265/75/16
I gave up the idea of doing the leaf spring TSB. The new leaf from the TSB is like the current leaf with one more leaf above the over load. After giving more thought it's not worth the trouble. The Air-Lift air bag is replaced with Firstone air bag. The ride is more stable now. I believe the air bag location of Air-Life setup is causing the leaf spring to fold like a S when under load. It gives a unstable/squish feel when hit a dip on freeway. Firestone place the air bag directly above the rear axle so it does not have this issue. The ride now is firmer and more stable.
Next on the to-do list is tire. Still can't decide 255/85/16 or 265/75/16