Rear Suspension Sagging

Hi folks.

Have a 2023 tacoma double
cab - long bed. Has a topper andsomegear in the back. Rear end sits about 1" lower than front end.
What options are out there to add some height or support to raise ( or be able to adjust / compensate ) rear end for various loadings or drawbar hitch wts ?
I am a newbie to Tacomas.
Air shocks, overload springs?? ?
Suggestions welcome.
Truck has 8 K miles on it.
Thanks

 

Welcome! And not surprising with the topper. You’ll need to do an AAL (add a leaf) or swap to a different leaf pack like the Icon RXT, which I like as it gives you 3 different options for added weight and lift desired. Either one is simple to DIY if you have a wrench and some clamps.

 

I run a topper as well and use Firestone RideRite airbags in the rear to assist with extra payload and to reduce sag.

 

Icon RXT on option 1. Roughly 300-400lbs in the back (not exactly sure how much my shell and bed drawers weigh). Rides like a dream too.

 

My wife has this problem too. Started happening when she turned 40.

 

I just installed an Icon stage 9 lift which includes the leaf spring options for the rear. I went with Option 2, and have a ARE Cap, and Decked drawer system in the bed. The rear sits about a half inch lower than the front, without me sitting in the truck, so I think when you factor front passengers it is the way it should be.

Anyway, yeah, you want to do an add a leaf setup to address the sagging leafs which basically go flat right from the factory for some reason.

 

I think the reason is the added 3-400lbs

 

I would agree if it was just on my truck but countless others witness their leafs going flat without any load. I believe there are several threads on here about it as well

 

Interesting about the rear leaf springs "going flat" as mentined above. When I hit a decent bump the front suspension isn't bad
but from the rear it is like getting a hard kick right in the fanny / low back & quite unpleasant.
Being new to the Tacoma platform I just figured it was a crappy ride & part of the package.............
Unit is a tacoma sport & ARE topper. Amount of wt. is not all that much. Truck actually tended to be either level or "uphill" looking right off the lot.
Bought it new with 1 mile on it from my test drive. Definitely not a used vehicle issue. I had air shocks on a couple different cars as a kid for rear lift & towing hitch wt. leveling.
Those always worked well. Are the current airbags similar ??
Not sure which mod. to go with............. The leaf spring pkg. if heavier duty ??May ride even harder?????
The air bags option????? Being able to adjust the rear ht. for loading or ride might be handy...............
Further thoughts / input welcome.

 

beautiful dog!
I would skip the add on's, and go full leaf pack, especially with a full time fiberglass topper. The Tacoma's OE leaf pack is poop.
I am on Icon RTX Stage 3 with a fiberglass topper, Decked drawer system, and still need load capacity for range and hunting gear.
Like you, I was bottoming out. My buddy that helped me install thought I was exaggerating until he looked at the shiny spots on the bottom OE leaf that had gotten to know the bump stops really well.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/icon-rxt-leaf-pack.505580/page-102#post-29402433

 

Will check out the leaf spring bump stops etc when it dries up out there a bit.

 

Nice picture. Gotta love old pumps. First glance I thought it was a Win model 12.

Ithaca 37 ?

 

Gen 3 rear leafs are some of the softest springs I've ever encountered.
As mentioned, a change in spring packs or an add-a-leaf would be an option.
There are also air bags, but that is more work to install and really doesn't solve the problem of sagging flat OEM springs.

 

Long bed double cabs are probably under sprung from the factory if they are on the same leaf pack as the DCSB. Do they have the same leafs?

 

I believe so yes. As I understand it (someone who is more knowledgeable than I can chime in) all the 3rd gens have the same leaf packs in them, and do tend to flatten out, and even go convex, if the load is great enough over time.

 

I just replaced the OG's with Icon RXT's on my 2017. The OG's were definitely flattened out when they were on the truck. I only carried heavy loads when hauling firewood or running cross country with gear and dogs on vacation. 135K.

The leafs on my old farm licensed S10 were completely blown out from hauling hay and dirt... those things were about 1/4" from the bump stop and bent upwards at the axle with 0 load. Don't ask me about the steering or the ball joints...

 

I got my rear leafs replaced when I had my full lift put on, and they had under 12k on them and were nearly totally flat. We go into National Forests quite regularly for weeks at a time, and that entails carrying a quite a bit of stuff, including the +400 lb tongue weight of our off road trailer. Its been a COMPLETELY different ballgame with spring packs that were designed to carry weight.

 

How is the ride Gilligoon with the heavier Springs ??

 

It's nice and plush in the rear with ~200 lb. load. I raised the 6112's on the front a few notches, so they are firmer for sure. I did some rallying on the dirt road today and it all seems good... but much more firm in front. Which is not bad, because the previous setup at "stock height" was sagged out way too far.

I'll post back after I hit some sweet jumps...

 

OK. Been reading posts here & on the rxt thread. As pictured b4 here is the saggy assed new tacoma.....
Am satisfied with stock ground clearance ( minus the saggy rear) and would just like to beef up the rear & raise it maybe 1 or 2" beyond level unloaded. Not looking to do any front end body lift @ this time.
SOOOoo..... Question is:
Can I just install a leaf pack ( likely the icon rxt in option 2 or maybe option 3.
The factory leaf springs are already past flat and going reverse ( convex). Do I need to replace shocks front or back ? Not planning on any serious offroading other than two tracks in forests or out West.


Thoughts ??