Payload of Tacoma

[darammer]

I am loading a load in my bed of probably about 700-800 lbs... and the load compresses my shocks to the point that they are useless.

When the load is empty, they work fine and are in good enough shape that they dont need to be replaced... The local tire shop says that it is normal for this truck.

Is that right? Are the shocks adjustable? I have an 05 DC TRD Off Road 4x2 w/ ~30,000 miles.

[L R H]

The shocks do not control the suspension height, they just damp motion. There is a TSB on all except reg cab 6 lug Tacomas that are still within the warranty period, and add-a-leafs and other add ons for trucks out of the warranty period. Toyota chose springs a little on the "too soft" side, and with max load they are on the bump stops. If you regularly carry loads nesr max it would be a good idea to improve the rear suspension spring rates, especially the DC's as they weigh the most unloaded. This can be achieved without creating a rough ride if done correctly.

[Gregory_K]

Normal for the taco, but as posted you can have it fixed.

I had to go the superspring route.

[ducatista]

Originally Posted by Gregory_K

Normal for the taco, but as posted you can have it fixed.

I had to go the superspring route.

" ^ " +1 for me too !
Great deal best ride yet ! !

OWAF,

Andy

[Marazzito]

Originally Posted by Gregory_K

Normal for the taco, but as posted you can have it fixed.

I had to go the superspring route.

+2... I went Supersprings as well... Great investment.

When the bed is loaded with about 700 lbs, truck sits a little above level. That is where the Supersprings really engage, you can then add another approx 600 lbs before it actually sits level and even with all that weight it takes quite a bump to actually hit the bump stops!

[enlightened]

Ditto on the SuperSprings, they work great, having hauled up to 2200 lbs. without any bottoming to the bumpstops. Had to have them adjusted once or twice, to the lower notch setting in the rear of the SuperSpring setup to avoid rubbing away the edge of the frame rail, and it looks like the front setup on driver's side bolt is very close to the plastic gas tank when fully loaded, so reversing the bolt/nut around (it actually came thay way but I switched it incorrectly) so it doesn't do damage may be needed. Generally, you may have to play around with the settings to avoid any rubbing on frame rail or the gas tank. Quality of SuperSprings components is very good. Before SuperSprings, Tacoma bottomed anything over 1000 lbs. (regular cab).

[jpsmith]

+1more for SuperSprings. I had them before the rear-spring TSB was issued and loved them. Took them off to have the TSB performed. With the new four-leaf packs, post-TSB, the truck was better than with the stock three-leaf packs, but not as good as it was with the SuperSprings. So I installed the SuperSprings on top of the post-TSB four-leaf packs and am really happy with it now. You can install the SuperSprings with different amounts of pre-load. More pre-load lifts the rear-end more. Since the TSB four-leaf packs lift the back about 1-1.5" over stock, I set the SuperSprings to the lowest amount of pre-load and have my back end now lifted about 2.5" over stock.

It has a ton of rake now, but I have a pair of Bilstein 5100's awaiting installation to lift the front 2.5" to correct it.

[shawnd2]

I am thinking of getting super springs. Anyone have any pictures of them installed? How hard were they to install? And lastly how much did they cost you?

Thanks

Shawn

[jpsmith]

I don't have a picture of them handy, but I can answer your other questions...

I got them for roughly $300 including tax & (free) shipping from loadandtow.com.

They're really easy to install if you have any sort of mechanical inclination. You don't even need to remove the wheels. Do one side at a time. Jack the frame up on that side near the rear wheel as high as it will go to take all the load off the leaf springs and put a jack stand under the frame rail. Crawl under the truck, loosen up the u-bolts that hold the axle to the leaf springs, remove the bump stop, tighten the u-bolts back up. Remove the poly rollers from one SuperSpring. Set the SuperSpring on top of the leaf pack. Reinstall the rollers on the under-side of the leaf pack. Lower your truck off the jack stand. Repeat on other side. Total time is about an hour, less if you're fast.

[tuckermtn]

new to the tacoma side here, but considering replacing my tundra with a tacoma... but have a payload question...

In the spring of each year we maple sugar...I have used a 210 gal water/stock tank to haul sap with - 210 gal x 8 lb per gallon, and your looking at 1700lbs when you include the tank...

could a tacoma with supersprings or some other suspension upgrade handle this type of load? It would be only occasionally- and if it cannot handle it, I can always fill it 3/4 of the way and pump out before going for more sap...

Tundra could handle it fine...looking at a 2000 or newer tacoma v6 4x4

thanks in advance..

[Marazzito]

Could the Tacoma Handle it... Yes! Would you be exceeding the payload cap... Yes! However, a few times a year and you shouldn't have any problem. To be on the safe side and keep the members of the WPD (weight police department) happy, you could always buy or rent a trailer.

[TUNDRA786]

You can get a nice trailer for 800-900bucks. or if you want something really small you can get a 4x8 trailer for around 300ish with no brakes.

Or you can get some air bags. Id go with the airbags. since they wont effect your ride.
I dont know jack about super springs.

[tuckermtn]

I have considered a trailer, but the main issue is as we cruise the neighborhood, we stop and gather sap from close to 10 different properties- often pulling into driveways, turning around, etc...a trailer would take the weight, but would be harder to manuver.

what is a good source for airbags? do they have a compressor with them or do they have to be inflated prior to when you might need them? either way is fine...

-tuckermtn

[TUNDRA786]

Inflate by a hand pump. Shouldnt take too long.
Or you can pay like 600 bucks more and get a compressor built in and change it whenever you want. Run a search for Air bags on this site you will get a lot of hits.

[TJOPILOT]

I figured I would post my craziest load. 30 sheets of drywall!

(A guy on another site figured this load to be 1800lbs! 60lbs apiece X 30 sheets)

Gotta love the Toytec AAL lift!!!