NOOB Question about Shocks & Leaf Springs...

Hello, all,

I just bought my first Tacoma, a 2006 Base Model 4 cyl. access cab. I am very happy with the truck, however it seems to me the shocks and struts could use replacing (it seems to bounce when going over bumps and seems to wallow a bit from what I can tell).

I am not really interested in lifting my truck and am looking to replace the shocks and struts with Bilstein 5100s base on what I have read on Tacomaworld.

But in addition, I am fretting about the leaf spring recall and the so-so reputation of the stock leaf springs. So I am wondering if I ought to add a leaf to the leaf spring pack, or even pick up some modest replacement leaf springs.

So I am wondering:
1) does adding a leaf or replacing the stock leaf springs seem like a good idea?
2) if I add a leaf or change out the leaf springs, how much (minimal) lift would that add and n what then should I set the front strut at (since the 5100s have multiple settings to choose from).

For what its worth, I haul things like bags of mulch, wheelbarrows, and landscaping tools in the back of my truck and might be buying a smallish (300-350 gallon water tank trailer) to haul. I would be hauling this trailer in town, not at highway speeds or for long distances (I was thinking the add a leaf might help with this).

Finally, I am assuming the stock front coil would be ok for this application - is that correct?

Thanks a bunch in advance, and I apologize if the answer is already somewhere on this forum and I didn't find it...

VA Hiker

 

My shocks were gone at 50 k miles, I'm sure you need to replace yours - the symptoms are there. 5100s will be great for your needs and the stock coil will be fine. An AAL won't save your rear leafs. You could go to Toyota for the recall, but I'd suggest replacing with a better leaf pack. Welcome to the slippery slope!!!

 

For the rear....When my truck was brand new, I added helwig helper springs to the rear leafs. They allow your oem leafs to accommodate more load. At the very least on a 9 year old truck, I'd add an aal to the rear,new shocks, then add the helper springs. That should set you up for a number of years, depending on what you throw back there. I've had a fiberglass shell on mine pretty much from day one, and the helper springs has kept my leaf pack from sagging.

 

Toyota has acknowledged that the springs are prone to breaking. I'd replace them on a truck that old.

 

Thanks, guys - so it sounds like I'm on the right track.

But now I have to figure out (a) what to do for leaf springs... I'm thinking I want all new leaf springs, but no or not much lift, and

(b) what I set the front 5100s at to match whatever leaf springs I decide to go with.

So I'd definitely like to hear a bit more about what to do for the rear leaf springs.

I also think I want to do this myself... I think everything is easy except for the front strut assembly, which I'm thinking about removing as a unit and taking to a shop for them to put the coil on the shock/strut.

Is the front assembly as easy to take off and put on as the rear shock supposedly is?

Thanks again..

 

Hey OP,

I was in your boat not too long ago. The rear suspension in my 05 DCLB were done. There was no cracking, just a lot of sag, and we'd bottom out on road trips if there was any sort of weight in the back. I didn't want to wait Toyota out to find out if they're replacing these things or not, so I bit the bullet. Like you I wasn't looking for lift (saving for my next truck) so I wanted solid springs that'll last the truck's life and not sag if/when I load her down with the family goods.

I decided on the Heavy Duty (4x) from General Spring KC here. I also wasn't sure on the status of my rear shocks, so I dropped in some Bilsteins to call it done and done.

After all was installed, it lifted the rear about an inch, however I've got a topper on the bed, so I'm sure an empty bed will lift more. They have other options for the leaf packs, so if the heavy duties sound too stout, give the others a look.

Install was easy (careful you don't strip the bolts on the stock leaf packs) and I'm very happy with the overall look and performance. The bed was full on our family road trip...no bottoming, no bounce. Best of luck.

~Red