Tacoma rear sag... what ta do

[lx450landcruiser]

I recently notice the rear of my tacoma sagging. Its not noticeable when I park in my driveway because its on an incline but when I park in a flat spot it's very clear to me.
The rear sits lower then the front.

Few specs of my rig.

The "lift" was on the truck when I bought it so I'm not totally sure what it is but I believe its a spacer up front and an add a leaf in the rear.

I always planed to swap out to a OME later down the road when funds proved that opportunity.

I do have a flatbed on the rear of my rig but its all aluminum and weighs quite a bit less then the stock bed.

I did recently haul 1200lbs of concrete but it wasn't very far and after inspection I don't see any cracked springs.

I am planning on moving soon and would be hauling a fully loaded truck with a trailer. Should I just switch to the OME Dakar CS047R Rear Leaf Springs with the heavy packs
or should I think about airbags?

Suggestions?

 

[Clutch]

Depends

If you're load varies often, go with bags so you can fine tune it. Or if is more constant, go with springs.

Bags can be problematic, I like a spring upgrade only since it is a simple solution over bags, and run ballast when I am running empty.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

My load does tend to vary quite a bit. everything from completly empty (lighter then stock) to fully loaded (2 big dogs 200lbs) Camping gear, construction materials. Im attempting to have a (do it all truck" Everything from daily driver to hauling 4 people, gear and dogs to go caping for a week or so.

 

[Stone_Blue]

My load does tend to vary quite a bit. everything from completly empty (lighter then stock) to fully loaded (2 big dogs 200lbs) Camping gear, construction materials. Im attempting to have a (do it all truck" Everything from daily driver to hauling 4 people, gear and dogs to go caping for a week or so.

Then springs and either bags or helper springs are your best bet. Or maybe you could get away with finding a set of progressive leaf packs.

www.WheelersOffroad.com sells a 3 leaf progressive AAL pack for not too much.
or Alcan or Dakars....Possibly OMEs?...but those will all be pricier than Wheeler's.
IIRC, helper springs can be had for around $75...Lots of chains sell them, like Pep Boys, Advance Auto, Autozone, etc...

 

[Clutch]

My load does tend to vary quite a bit. everything from completly empty (lighter then stock) to fully loaded (2 big dogs 200lbs) Camping gear, construction materials. Im attempting to have a (do it all truck" Everything from daily driver to hauling 4 people, gear and dogs to go caping for a week or so.

It is tough to have it do-it-all. I honestly do not like my OME Dakar Heavies for daily use, too stiff, and too much lift, why I have some ballast back there for daily driving. However when I am loaded down I love them. I can pull one of my overload springs out and the add-a-leaf, probably to get it to ride better for daily use, but think I will be kicking myself for when I haul a heavy load. I have broken 3 sets of springs in the past mainly from hauling too much weight, not for driving like a nut, so I went for overkill with OME HD's. Haven't broken them yet, think they are 5-6 years old(?)

Bags you can fine tune it much better, they can be fussy, some reports of them tearing if they see heavy off-road use.

I would almost recommend both new springs and airbags. For one, the stock Tacoma springs will break, not a matter of if, but when, and second, the airbags you can adjust on the fly. Go with maybe stock OME's (or 8 leaf Deavers or Alcans) for daily duties and airbags for when you are loaded.

It is one of those things you need to play with to see what suits your needs/wants the best. Which unfortunately cost money. Could do the airbags first, and when the springs break, upgrade to aftermarket ones.

 

[tbar]

Been there
Deaver
leaf springs
Give them a call

 

[Tbird]

I have a set of All-Pro Standard-duty leaf packs on my '05 Tacoma Sport...not happy with them...they sag with ONLY an empty Flippac shell on the truck (~350lbs). So I've been considering upgrading to their "Expedition" Heavy-duty spring pack.

Springs cost $429
THEY CHARGE $224.10 FOR SHIPPING from S. CA to S NM.
Total $653.10

I went to the 2013 EXPO hoping to purchase a set...and they didn't bring any with them to sell.

I know they are VERY heavy...but I can't understand that much for shipping. Am I ignorant of shipping costs?

 

[cs0430]

*copied from my thread on Tacomaworld*

I recently took my OME kit off due to a few factors, (dealer honoring warranty, excessive wear on other parts, vibes etc.) and REALLY miss the weight carrying ability that the Dakar's offered.

I reached out to Alcan and they said they can make me (for a price) a custom set of stock height to 1/2" over stock height leafs that can handle weight much better, and although they would need to be stiffer, not be a bone-jarring ride.

Im thinking:
1. I'll keep stock driveline geometry - no excessive wear, vibes, bushings seizing...
2. A dealer can't say that they caused or contributed to any other issues that would void warranty, because the truck would be at stock height.
3. Be 'better' than air bags - no monitoring or changing psi, no limit on flex, weight well be on leaf springs, not my "bump stops" as the ride-rites replace the bump stops.
4. No more throwing a wet paper towel in the back of my truck and it sagging like a 90 year old womans rack.

 

[jeverich]

At the risk of potentially catching from flak on here; look into the "Old Man Doug" modification from TacomaWorld..

I was entirely skeptical initially, but so far I have had excellent results.

Started with a "new to me" pair of stock Toyota leafs.

Found a suitable set of "donor" leafs.. In my case, a '93 Ford F150; you want something as close to the Tacoma's 2 3/8" leaf width.

In my case, I added 2 springs per side - which, was not quite enough with my swing out tire carrier and loaded down with gear. Ride quality is excellent, and articulation is great.

All said and done, I was into them for $200. Not bad, considering that it's about 1/3rd the cost w/shipping of any other options.

 

[uscg2008]

X2 on this I have th same set up and it's amazing

 

[thinkingman]

I bought a set of OME Dakars and they jacked the ***-end way too high.
I removed the third leaf and got, what I think*, is the perfect rear suspension.
I did not pay shipping, as OME is about 15mi from my house.
23" from center of hub to fender.

 

[CavTrooper]

Bought my entire kit from Wheeler and their customer service is awesome!!! You could also add a Timbren block in conjunction with the leaf pack