[SleepyG]

Okay I know there are a million and a half post on multiple forums about the rear leaf pack replacement TSB (changing 3 leaf pack to the new beefeir one). But I cant find a single reliable post about my particular question.

I have a 2005 Dbl Cab Tacoma, I bought it used in August of 2008 and now the mileage is 35,782. I just purchased the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks for the front and also purchased the 5100's for the rear. But now I have a few questions?

1. If I my truck does not qualify for the TSB in question, how much would a TSB leaf spring setup cost and where can I get it from?

2. If I have to buy an aftermarket leaf pack, because I cant stand the squeaking from my current pack during loads or offroad driving or hell just getting in and out of the truck. Which aftermarket leaf pack should I buy that will ride just fine with the rear 5100 shocks? (Ive been looking at the OME DAKAR SPRINGS PART #'s CS047 at www.wheelersoffroad.com)

3. Also what kind of issues if any will i get if i do replace my OEM leaf pack with the Dakar leaf pack since its a larger pack. Ive read somewhere that it causes issues possible damage to the drivesaft????

I really dont want to have to buy new rear shocks since i just purchased those rear 5100's and I like how it all matches. I just cant stand that squeaking and I really dont think the dealer will honor the TSB since its 2009 and my truck is a 2005. Im still going tommorow with a copy of the TSB in hand hoping for the best though!! Sorry for the long post and all the questions, and thanks in advance for the help!!

 

[dtacow]

1. If you can't get the TSB for free, don't bother. Toyota leafs are overpriced underperformers. I just looked at TRD parts 4u, and even there, they are $432 PER SIDE (they didn't designate whether it is the 3 or 4 leaf pack, but this gives you an idea of the price) If you can still get it free-might squeek by under 36K, get it done and see how you like it.

2. If I were you, I would probably call Alcan and have them make you a custom leaf pack. I don't know where in Utah you are, but Alcan is in Grand Junction CO, you could drive there and pick them up. 5100s are supposed to be good for 0-2" of lift, the dakars supposedly give at least 2.75" of lift.

3. You may end up with drive shaft vibrations, you may not. Lifting changes driveline angles which can throw rotating driveshafts out of balance and lead to vibrations. There are things you can add (shims, carrier bearing drop kits, etc) to try to correct this. Bring it to a 4x4 shop and have them do it. There are no guarantees, some people are more sensitive to driveline vibes than others. If you really want to lift, go for it. If you don't care about lift get a custom after market leaf pack, it will likely be cheaper than Toyota's 4 leaf pack.

Edit: Oh, your truck is an '05, past 3 year warranty. Still worth a try. Good luck.

 

[Joe B]

1. If you can't get the TSB for free, don't bother. Toyota leafs are overpriced .

True.
I had the TSB just done and the cost would have been $1580 with labor and I don't think that included sales tax.

 

[cbprov]

i had mine done 2 wks ago no diff still bottoms out just as easy

 

[tetsuo166]

i had mine done 2 wks ago no diff still bottoms out just as easy

You sure you got 4 leafs? If so, how much weight are you putting back there?

 

[papabear050]

i had mine done 2 wks ago no diff still bottoms out just as easy

Hell ya,

I went over a median doing a legal u turn with the driver side back end and BOOM, bottomed out. After the TSB, I would say get it done only if it's free.

 

[LowVolt]

Hell ya,

I went over a median doing a legal u turn with the driver side back end and BOOM, bottomed out. After the TSB, I would say get it done only if it's free.

I know I am throwing myself in a fire but I really do not think people are bottoming out. Over-extending is what I think is going on. It is a load thud and it sounds like the ass end of your truck is going to fall off. I know you were the one driving your own truck, but I think people are generalizing the term "bottoming out." So you went over a median doing a legal maneuver with no payload in the bed and you were the only on e driving and you bottomed out? So the frame that the bed rests on hit the bumpstop on your axles. Just my opinion I find this impossible to do unless the median had a ramp and you were doing 55mph. I have had my 08 for almost a year with stock suspension, then TSB and now more modified and I never had it bottom out with no payload or with just people in the cab.

 

[cbprov]

i ahve no more than 100lbs in mine and go over a depression in road and it bottoms out after tsb no change at all

 

[LowVolt]

how big is this depression and how fast are you going?

 

[lotust]

maybe the mud flap are what some people hear.

 

[papabear050]

Mud Flaps don't sound like Thunder up your rear end

 

[ratatat62]

I weigh 145 lbs and the stock Dumbo front flaps on my '09 AC haven't bottomed out yet.
Maybe only the double cabs are having problems.
Just a thought.

 

[SleepyG]

Hey I was looking at these springs, mainly the 1.5" ones anyone have any experience? Does anyone think they will be good with the 5100 bilistiens in the rear or will i need longer shocks. Or should i go with the 3" ones and set my front 5100 billies to the highest setting. I believe if I do go to about 3" ill have to do the carrier bearing drop. Also is it really recommended to do the front diff spacer drop even if i do just a 1.75" lift.

http://www.allprooffroad.com/05tacomarearsuspension/05tacomaleafsprings

Oh and Dtacow im not really at the moment looking to do anything crazy on a lift mainly right now I really just want to level out my truck to clear my Toyo A/T 265 75r16 tires, in the process give my truck a bit of a meaner look. And without killing my wallet get the rear leaf springs to fix the noise and get some lift out of them too. Eventually doing a cargo basket on the roof and hopefully installing a ARB whinch bumper. And of course not getting killed by the wife for doing all of this in the process !

 

[dtacow]

I think ColvilleTacoma, a member here has the 3" allpro springs. I'd say go for the 1.5" springs, let us know how you like them. 5100s should be good up to 2" of lift. I have coilovers at stock height on stock TRD offroad alloy wheels and clear 265-75s no problemo.

 

[SleepyG]

What kind of tires do you have? Cause when I'm in the process of a turn and I hit a pot hole or anything that extends my shocks a bit my tire rubs the fender. Hell I had to take off my front mud flaps just so they wouldn't rub every time I turned the wheel.

 

[dtacow]

I have 265-75-16 BFG T/A KO (All terrains).

 

[sarnjsaechao]

got mine done like 4 weeks ago, feel way better but mine had the non trd shocks now i have the bilsteins and the 4 leaf pack

 

[SleepyG]

Sweet yeah i cant wait to get my billies this coming monday. Ill post before and after pics. Anyone know of a good post that has pretty decent install instructions. I'm pretty confident in my mechanic abilities, heck I'm a 10 year F-16 engine mechanic !!

 

[SleepyG]

Well my 5100 billies came in today. I just replaced my rears and plan on doing my fronts this weekend. They have a nice shop you can use on base that has two wall mounted industrial coil compressors. So it should make life much easier. The rears didn't take me long to do except I did run into a bit of a problem when the top stud on the old OEM shock broke off since there was a bit of rust. I had to take a hack saw to the stud sawing just above the top rubber bushing, that was not fun. At least I got it replaced, next time I use wd40 first then take a whack at it ! Ill post some pics after I install my fronts, I plan on setting them at 1.75 the second from the top.

BTW does anyone know of any good post that show a decent step by step on how to replace the fronts preferably with pics. I read on another post that you have to disconnect the UCA but not remove it in order to make room to remove the shock and coil assembly! Or do I have that worded wrong?

 

[Joe B]

BTW does anyone know of any good post that show a decent step by step on how to replace the fronts preferably with pics. I read on another post that you have to disconnect the UCA but not remove it in order to make room to remove the shock and coil assembly! Or do I have that worded wrong?

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/31862-how-front-shock-spring-removal.html