Air Shocks for 2005+ Tacoma 2wd TRD

AZRickD · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 10:17 PM

I carry dirt bikes in the back and sometimes tow a small trailer. The extra weight makes the rear end sag, of course.

I've been wanting to get air shocks (Monroe, Gabriel, Rancho), but was told that none were made. I don't want to go helper springs or airbags.

Of our local parts stores (PepBoys, Checker, AutoZone), only PepBoys says a set is made for the '05 Taco -- Rancho 9000s. Well, to be exact, one PepBoys shop says they do, one says they don't.

Can anyone verify that someone makes air shocks for the newer Tacoma?

Thanks,

Rick

L R H · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 01:13 AM

AFAIK, there are no air shock, and no inexpensive booster type spring over shocks for hardly any of the mid/smaller sized trucks due to the shock tubes being so close to either the leaf spring pack, the brake backing plate, or the U-bolts/U-bolt lower plate, or any combination of the above. The lower end of the shocks on most older US full size pickups are inside the spring pack; some just inches from the diff pumpkin, where they are just as effective on two rear wheels hitting a bump, but less effective on one wheel bumps and have less effect when needed to slow roll angles on evasive maneuvers such as swerving around an obstacle.
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When Ford re-designed the F-150's a few years ago, the used a considerable amount of ink printing in ads how moving the shocks outboard of the leaf springs was something NEW and wonderful, whereas many others have been doing it for years.

AZRickD · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 12:11 PM

So, I'm stuck with helper springs?

lelandstanford · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:40 PM

Air bags are adjustable. You can deflate the bags (5 psi) when unladden to preserve the comfy ride.

mcdanieltw · #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2008, 01:29 PM

I've had the Firestone air bags (#2407) on my 06 Taco TRD 4X2 for a year and they work great towing/carrying a load. However, the ride is extremely stiff/uncomfortable w/out a load, even with psi <5. They only way I can get a decent ride w/out a load is to remove the valve cores from the stems. Any thoughts on how to improve the ride and keep the valve cores in?

lelandstanford · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 08:51 AM

Do you have the rear spring TSB done?

mcdanieltw · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 12:16 PM

Didn't have it done since I was out of warranty when I found out about the TSB.

lelandstanford · #8 (**permalink**) 05-23-2008, 04:37 PM

Can't imagine what your setup looks like since my truck doesn't have airbags and it's a 5-lug rearend.

Can you take a pic?

Was the ride stiff before airbags installed?