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Posted By: ironbender Need Cheap And Easy - 02/16/21
1995 2WD Taco. I need to replace rear shocks this summer, but would like to get a little help for the soft leaf springs. It rides like a boat when loaded (it don’t take much).

Especially in the winter when I have 250 - 300 pounds of sand bags over rear axle, and get a couple hundred pounds of feed by the tailgate.

What cheap and easy options do I have?
Posted By: saddlesore Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/16/21
The donut overloads.Sorry I forget what the name brand is. Check Etrailer .com
Posted By: ironbender Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/16/21
Timbrins?

I’m thinking coil over shocks since I need to replace them anyway.
Posted By: tikkanut Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/16/21

ain't never seen a 2wd Taco------------- cry

grin
Posted By: SockPuppet Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/17/21
Originally Posted by ironbender
Timbrins?

I’m thinking coil over shocks since I need to replace them anyway.


Timbrens work great and are easy to install. Can't help ya on the shocks.
Posted By: ironbender Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/17/21
Originally Posted by tikkanut

ain't never seen a 2wd Taco------------- cry

grin

Come on up, bob. I’ll show ya.
Posted By: ironbender Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/17/21
Put timbrens on my f250. Not too impressed. Gonna go with bags there.

It’s 26 years old. Cheap is the operative word here. Timbrens would double the value. 😏
Posted By: 10gaugemag Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/17/21
Time for new leafs if you really want any help otherwise whatever cheap "fix" you put on is taking 95% of the load.




Posted By: cwh2 Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
Junkyard leafs and double up the long ones? Cheap, but a little work.

Buddy in college had air shocks that would kind of help. Adding coils (and air shocks) is discouraged, as shock mounts are not really intended to be weight bearing.
Posted By: ironbender Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
Had a broken leaf on one side a few years back. ‘Fire guy got me a pair of leafs. They are the same as factory. These gen 1 are noted for soft springs. Again, it’s a 26 year old truck with 210K miles.

Guess I’ll look at some overload shocks. The loaded weight isn’t on all the time, but when it is, at night, I get flashed. That much sag is annoying.
Posted By: Kodiakisland Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
I don't think there is a softer steel than a Tacoma leaf spring.

Not sure just how cheap and easy you want it. Seems like nothing is easy on a vehicle that old. Time and rust aren't very friendly.
If you want to do as little as possible, a single leaf add-a-leaf might be the best option, but if you plan to drive the truck several more years, a new leaf pack not made by Toyota might be better.

I bought my last set of Tacoma springs from Wheelers as they seem to specialize in Toyotas. Something like this will probably not add a lot of lift since your springs are shot, but would certainly help when you have a little weight back there.
https://wheelersoffroad.com/shopbyv...eaf-set-for-1998-2004-toyota-tacoma.html


I added a set like this to help my factory springs out: https://wheelersoffroad.com/shopbyv...ve-for-1995-tacoma-1999-2006-tundra.html
Posted By: horse1 Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
Just weld some angle-iron in where the shocks go, it'll never sag again. Until it does.
Posted By: Rock Chuck Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
Some of the older pickups have weak shock mounts, just a bolt that the eye of the shock slides over. The bolt isn't supported on the outside. Those aren't strong enough to help support the pickup and adding spring shocks will sometimes break them. They're designed to absorb shock, not carry weight.

[Linked Image from cdn.shopify.com]

This type has the bolt supported on both sides and can carry a lot more weight.

[Linked Image from pegasusautoracing.com]
Posted By: ironbender Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
Do t really want lift, per se, just prevent sag.

Maybe I’ll just continue to use it as is and accept it for what it is.
Did I mention that it’s 26 years old? wink
Posted By: Rock Chuck Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/18/21
Have you looked at booster leaf springs? They're extra leaves that bolt on in various ways depending on the model. They're better if the spring is above the axle but they make some for underneath, too.

[Linked Image from 4wheelparts.com]
Posted By: cwh2 Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/19/21
Originally Posted by Kodiakisland
I don't think there is a softer steel than a Tacoma leaf spring.


You best watch what you say. That's Hattori Hanzo steel.
Posted By: leftycarbon Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/19/21
There is a re call on Taco springs.

Son got his done and it made a big difference.
Worth a phone call.


Lefty
Posted By: Rock Chuck Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/19/21
The recall doesn't go back that far, only to '05.
Posted By: ironbender Re: Need Cheap And Easy - 02/19/21
Originally Posted by Rock Chuck
Have you looked at booster leaf springs? They're extra leaves that bolt on in various ways depending on the model. They're better if the spring is above the axle but they make some for underneath, too.

[Linked Image from 4wheelparts.com]

Something to look into. Thanks.
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