1st gen Tacoma suspension upgrade options for hauling truck camper

[mmiller001]

I have a 1999 Tacoma with 230,000 miles and a truck camper. The camper pretty much bottoms out the suspension and the ride is poor. I have done a lot of research into suspension upgrades but am stuck and looking for help form the community. The most common upgrade I see are firestone airbags (d). However my concern is the truck suspension is old and worn and will underperform with any option, including airbags (See photos for how low its sits with camper installed). My gut says to install a new set of Old Man Dakar leafs (f), or better yet a full suspension overhaul (g). However I don’t know how well these leafs will handle the camper weight - and my fear is I’ll install new leafs only to have them still bottom out. Then, will airbags be out the question because of the increased lift.

Truck
- 1999 Toyota Tacoma sr5, 4x4, 230,000 miles
- tires have aggressive offroad tread, but are otherwise stock size.
- Northstar mc600 slide in camper

Suspension Upgrade Requirements
- Eliminate sag and “level load” at max payload (~1500lbs)
- Improve handling performance, reduce sway, roll, etc.
- Lift is OK but not required
- One solution is ideal, but a combo would be OK

Suspension Upgrade Options
a. Timberans
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/tortac4a-tacoma-load-support.html

b. Torklift Stableloads
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/TorkLift/TLA7311.html

c. Add-a-leafs
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/85250ta.html

d. Firestone Ride Right Airbags
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/2304.html

e. Hellwig Supersprings
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/ssa18-tacoma-4wd.html

f. Old Man Dakar Leafs
https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...mu-cs046r-dakar-leaf-spring-set-98-04-tacoma/

g. Old Man Dakar Leafs + coils and shocks
http://store.arbusa.com/2-Inch-Nitrocharger-Sport-98-04-Tacoma-Heavy-Kit-OMETAC04HKS-P21324.aspx

h. All pro leafs (expedition) + coils and shocks
https://www.allprooffroad.com/9504frontsuspension/299

i. If there are other leaf options better suited for heavy payloads I’m open to more options!

Thanks!
Matt

FYI've also posted over at Tacoma World: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-for-hauling-max-payload-truck-camper.413377/

 

[zoblo]

if you get the ome's dakars from wheelrs, look at getting the extra leaf option which is under the add-a-leaf menu on wheeler's webpage. I've been looking at doing that. I have a 1000lb popup and wheeler's recommended that option for me. Haven't done it yet though.

 

[cchoc]

I did an OME with extra leaf with my FWC Eagle and it rides nice. I started out with just air bags and it was OK on road until I added and Aluminess rear with cargo box and spare carrier. I still use the bags to tweak the rear ride height.

 

[icediver]

At 230k miles I'd imagine your suspension is a little tired, so an overall might not be a terrible idea.

On my 2004 Tacoma that carries a FWC Eagle I have a full OME suspension and Timbrens in the rear. I'm happy with it. I bought the OME add a leaf intending to install it when I bought the camper, but I haven't installed it. I don't carry my camper full time, and the OME rides firm when running empty. That's why I went the Timbren route for when the camper is on. OME leaf pack alone probably wouldn't be enough.

 

[Hardcastle]

I carry a FWC Finch on my 2002 4 door Tacoma part time. I chose to go with the full OME setup without the extra add-a-leaf in the rear then also use firestone airbags. I got the bottom cradles so the bag isn't connected to the frame and leaf pack and can "float" freely. This setup has worked great with me not carrying the camper full time. If i were to carry it full time i'd go with a leaf pack suited for the load and ditch the bags. So my advice:

Carrying full time - Leaf pack heavy enough for the load. less chance of failure while out traveling.
carrying Part time - heavier leaf pack to replace your worn de-arched springs and bags.

 

[mmiller001]

if you get the ome's dakars from wheelrs, look at getting the extra leaf option which is under the add-a-leaf menu on wheeler's webpage. I've been looking at doing that. I have a 1000lb popup and wheeler's recommended that option for me. Haven't done it yet though.

Yes that is a great suggestion - I had contacted ARB support and the suggested the same. They also suggested getting the "heavy load" version.

 

[mmiller001]

I did an OME with extra leaf with my FWC Eagle and it rides nice. I started out with just air bags and it was OK on road until I added and Aluminess rear with cargo box and spare carrier. I still use the bags to tweak the rear ride height.

This is my current plan - I figure that airbags will be a good start and at least make the truck ridable on road. Then I can upgrade the full suspension later. The question I have in this case is how well the airbags will work after the upgrade. My understanding is the OME dakars will lift the truck ~3" in the rear with the extra leaf. Then I will need to get creative for the airbags to work (this thread goes into detail). Maybe its better to just get Timbrens now? Or do it all now in one shot???

 

[mmiller001]

I carry a FWC Finch on my 2002 4 door Tacoma part time. I chose to go with the full OME setup without the extra add-a-leaf in the rear then also use firestone airbags. I got the bottom cradles so the bag isn't connected to the frame and leaf pack and can "float" freely. This setup has worked great with me not carrying the camper full time. If i were to carry it full time i'd go with a leaf pack suited for the load and ditch the bags. So my advice:

Carrying full time - Leaf pack heavy enough for the load. less chance of failure while out traveling.
carrying Part time - heavier leaf pack to replace your worn de-arched springs and bags.

View attachment 328447

Thanks Hardcastle - Just talked to Alcan and they suggested the same, with the exception of Timbrens instead of airbags for the Part time option. Right now this seems like the best bet - custom leafs built to hold an additional 600lbs and Timbrens to support when the camper is loaded. In reality there will many times I want to use just the truck for simple errands and a leaf pack built for 1300lbs would like riding a bucking bull in these cases! Or when camping we will likely take the camper off the truck to play! Additionally I plan to get coils and all new shocks at the same time.

 

[Hardcastle]

Thanks Hardcastle - Just talked to Alcan and they suggested the same, with the exception of Timbrens instead of airbags for the Part time option. Right now this seems like the best bet - custom leafs built to hold an additional 600lbs and Timbrens to support when the camper is loaded. In reality there will many times I want to use just the truck for simple errands and a leaf pack built for 1300lbs would like riding a bucking bull in these cases! Or when camping we will likely take the camper off the truck to play! Additionally I plan to get coils and all new shocks at the same time.

No problem. Did they say why Timbrens over bags? I understand bags and airlines eventually fail but mine seem to be holding up just fine even on our snow, ice, salt covered winter roads in Utah. It's also nice because I can adjust how firm I want them. My driver side has the fridge, water, propane, etc so it ends up getting a few extra PSI to level out the truck. With Timbrens you won't have that option. It was my understanding timbrens only help when the spring gets overloaded and flattens out and at that point you're just riding on a fancy bump stop. What am I not understanding about timbrens?

 

[mmiller001]

Hardcastle, "Fancy bumpstop" doesn't really describe Timbrens - they are really firm and hold up to 6000 lbs which is much more heavy duty than bumpstops. Timbrens only activate with heavy payloads so the unloaded ride is not affected at all - even an airbag at 5psi I have read makes the ride more stiff. Where as a bump-stop mainly softens the bottoming-out blow, the Timbrens provide active support more like airbags. They are almost the size as an airbag (about 6 inches tall and a little narrower).

The rep at Alcan mentioned that with air bags, you can still experience side to side bounce or roll, since the airbags by nature have bounce to them. The Timbrens in comparison are very rigid and firm. My mechanic thought this made sense too (although he has tried neither). Yes, I won't have the ability to level out the camper - but I'm OK with that for now. So far it sits pretty level and weight is well distributed.

I ended up buying both (have not installed them yet but plan to do the Timbren install this weekend) because honestly there are so many opinions either way. For me I think it came down to less fuss and (possibly) better ride handling. I was not concerned with salt, mud, etc. (as you mentioned airbags hold up really well).

I guess only time will tell if Timbres are the right solution!

 

[Clutch]

OME heavies, less to fuss with. Air bags and the components that go along with it...are fussy...


Can always toss in some ballast (ie sand bags) when the camper is off the truck to make it ride better.