Tacoma Helper Springs?

I have a 2005 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 long bed. The rear springs are notoriously weak. The truck will hit the bump stops often. Toyota issued a TSB on them, but my truck is out of warranty and the general consensus is that the replacement springs from Toyota aren't worth the high asking price.

My wife drives the truck to work daily. I use it to tow the Miata to the track on an aluminum trailer (tandem axle). The truck will never be used offroad.

Should I use:

• Helper Springs? (Add-A-Link, Hellwig or other style?)
• Timbrens?
• Something else?

Bags. /thread

I think Deaver makes a nice 3 leaf AAL you might want to try

Deaver, National Spring, old man emu. All should have good options for you.

Where do you get airbags for the rear of a Truck? I don't need a pump with a control in the cab, just a valve stem somewhere would be fine.

My 07 had the same problem. Very frustrating to get such a softly sprung truck from a company known for building great compact/mid-size trucks, I was also very disappointed when the rear spring TSB came out months after I crossed the 36k mile mark, still infuriates me that they refuse a free fix to someone who uses their truck every day.

That being said, I put a set of bags on the rear prior to hauling a camper on a cross-country trip, don't remember the brand, "ride-tech" or something like that. They worked great for the duration of the trip and assorted heavy hauls afterwards, until I blew both of them apart on the Summit Point rallyx course!

I've been meaning to order an add-a-leaf kit ever since but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I routed the lines up behind the bumper and drilled 2 holes so the valve stems would come through the bottom holes on my license plate, was a super-clean install and easy access.

Dr. Hess wrote: Where do you get airbags for the rear of a Truck? I don't need a pump with a control in the cab, just a valve stem somewhere would be fine.

Not for a Tacoma, but the air bags for our Sienna were $70 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CFS028

I used to have an S10 and installed some el cheapo Gabriel air shocks in the back. It came with plastic lines and I routed it to the rear. I air it up when I carry heavy loads. I don't know if theres an app for the Taco nor do I know if Gabriel still exist.

My Tundra has bags in the back for when I'm towing. Love 'em. Hook up the trailer, then attach the air hose to the valve in front of the rear wheel and lift the truck right back up where it belongs. One was damaged when I got it, and I just sourced a replacement Firestone on the interwebs.Don't remember the number of the bag, though.

Hess, the googles are your friends. It's pretty quick and easy to find air bag helper springs for a Toyota Pickup. Expect to pay between $200-$300.

No AAL go with a new leaf set there are many options for you Old Man Emu is a leading manufacturer in tacoma world and as far as American Goes Deaver or Alcan make a good stock replacement for our trucks do not do air bags with the tacoma!!! I had Alcan make a set for me at 260 or280 per side and have been very happy with them! I had them add 2.5"s of lift and also 200lbs of weight carrying ability! so now when I have my trailer attached I actually sit level! and with out the rear is not much taller than the front just the way I like my stance!!!

TTORA or Customtacos is where you need to look for the things you need to know about your Toyota Trucks! there we have a Tech/Faq section that many mods and specs can be found with the FSM factory service manual!!

eddieleephd wrote: No AAL go with a new leaf set there are many options for you Old Man Emu is a leading manufacturer in tacoma world and as far as American Goes Deaver or Alcan make a good stock replacement for our trucks do not do air bags with the tacoma!!! I had Alcan make a set for me at 260 or280 per side and have been very happy with them! I had them add 2.5"s of lift and also 200lbs of weight carrying ability! so now when I have my trailer attached I actually sit level! and with out the rear is not much taller than the front just the way I like my stance!!! TTORA or Customtacos is where you need to look for the things you need to know about your Toyota Trucks! there we have a Tech/Faq section that many mods and specs can be found with the FSM factory service manual!!

Not sure about the newer years but the early model tacomas had an issue with the frame in the rear and the last thing you want is to use air bags on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie, What do you mean by "older model tacomas"? What year range? Some of us have "pre Tacoma" Trucks. Is that an "older model" you're talking about?
With an extra leaf or whatever thrown in instead, does the truck ride rougher when unladen? My 86 needs a bit more in the back when I'm pulling the trailer, but I don't want it to "ride like a truck" the rest of the time (other 99.5% of driving). That's why I was thinking about the air bags.

On my Nissan Hardbody, I Lifted it using shackles, then added an add a leaf from JC Whitney. For more weight ability, I then added an airlift bag system because the shackles negated the add a leaf some. It worked great and routinely loaded it down. The bags helped it from becoming a tripod up front around corners.

On my Titan, I installed Firestone Airbags in back.

Both work great and Just require an airhose to fill it up. I did not get the pump or controller in the car as I felt it was unnecessary.

The only thing to watch out for is loading the truck down more than the frame or tires can handle.

Dr. Hess wrote: Where do you get airbags for the rear of a Truck? I don't need a pump with a control in the cab, just a valve stem somewhere would be fine.

I bought a set of Air Lifts for my Liberty from Jegs. No pump.

Dr. Hess wrote: Where do you get airbags for the rear of a Truck? I don't need a pump with a control in the cab, just a valve stem somewhere would be fine.

http://www.airliftcompany.com/online_catalog.html

look there.

2 valve stems get run back to where the lisc plate is and stay there for airing up or down.

Air Lift 59502. $195 at Jegs, $200 at Summit, $190 at Amazon with free shipping. Looks like I'll be getting one of those before my next scheduled tow event. 'Course right now, I'm not planning on towing anything anywhere and my "fun money" is being sucked into bike maintenance and Sturgis planning, but this one is on the list. I also need a real class "big" receiver hitch instead of my bumper.

Hard to believe it's been a year since my last tow event:

Air Bags from Suspension Connection on my E150. Work great.

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/

I think that I'm going to go with the Timbrens.

Dr. Hess wrote: Eddie, What do you mean by "older model tacomas"? What year range? Some of us have "pre Tacoma" Trucks. Is that an "older model" you're talking about? With an extra leaf or whatever thrown in instead, does the truck ride rougher when unladen? My 86 needs a bit more in the back when I'm pulling the trailer, but I don't want it to "ride like a truck" the rest of the time (other 99.5% of driving). That's why I was thinking about the air bags.

Not exactly but I do believe that they would fall under the same catagory! You would have to research these specifically at the previously mentioned sites!

customtacos, ttora, even yotatech!

yotatech is a more visited site with more on the older trucks!

When I say older model tacomas I mean 1st 2nd 3rd GEN 95.5-04

not as possitive on 01-04 being weak in the frame!

This issue has to do with the frame above the leafs specifically! and to the bumper! can be solved by boxing the frame if not rusted to much!