1st gen Tacoma suspension upgrade options for hauling truck camper

[mmiller001]

I have a 1999 Tacoma with 230,000 miles and a truck camper. The camper pretty much bottoms out the suspension and the ride is poor. I have done a lot of research into suspension upgrades but am stuck and looking for help form the community. The most common upgrade I see are firestone airbags (d). However my concern is the truck suspension is old and worn and will underperform with any option, including airbags (See photos for how low its sits with camper installed). My gut says to install a new set of Old Man Dakar leafs (f), or better yet a full suspension overhaul (g). However I don’t know how well these leafs will handle the camper weight - and my fear is I’ll install new leafs only to have them still bottom out. Then, will airbags be out the question because of the increased lift.

Truck
- 1999 Toyota Tacoma sr5, 4x4, 230,000 miles
- tires have aggressive offroad tread, but are otherwise stock size.
- Northstar mc600 slide in camper

Suspension Upgrade Requirements
- Eliminate sag and “level load” at max payload (~1500lbs)
- Improve handling performance, reduce sway, roll, etc.
- Lift is OK but not required
- One solution is ideal, but a combo would be OK

Suspension Upgrade Options
a. Timberans
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/tortac4a-tacoma-load-support.html

b. Torklift Stableloads
https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/TorkLift/TLA7311.html

c. Add-a-leafs
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/85250ta.html

d. Firestone Ride Right Airbags
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/2304.html

e. Hellwig Supersprings
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/ssa18-tacoma-4wd.html

f. Old Man Dakar Leafs
https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...mu-cs046r-dakar-leaf-spring-set-98-04-tacoma/

g. Old Man Dakar Leafs + coils and shocks
http://store.arbusa.com/2-Inch-Nitrocharger-Sport-98-04-Tacoma-Heavy-Kit-OMETAC04HKS-P21324.aspx

h. All pro leafs (expedition) + coils and shocks
https://www.allprooffroad.com/9504frontsuspension/299

i. If there are other leaf options better suited for heavy payloads I’m open to more options!

Thanks!
Matt

FYI've also posted over at Tacoma World: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-for-hauling-max-payload-truck-camper.413377/

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[gtbensley]

New springs because yours are older and timbrens would be my suggestion.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

How much weight ARE you carrying ?

 

[IdaSHO]

weight for the camper listed is about 1200lbs DRY.

Id say hes probably hauling about 2k in the bed once wet and loaded.



At that mileage, Id go through the entire suspension, front and rear.
If the camper is seasonal and not on the truck all that much, go for a set of bags or Timbrens

If the camper stays on the truck a lot, Id go for a thicker/stronger leaf pack in the rear.
Could be as simple as taking a brand new set of leafs and adding a leaf from your old spring pack to the new.

You need new leafs, so you may as well use some of the old as "helpers" if you can.

 

[IdaSHO]

Never mind about using the old.

I just checked photos from the other forum.

You've destroyed them.

EGAD :Wow1:

 

[mmiller001]

IdaSHO your weight estimate is accurate - it's beyond the capacity of the truck so yea, I'm weighing my options (literally)!!

As for suspension, yes leafs are shot! I've ordered a custom set of heavy duty leafs from Alcan - No saving the old. I am also installing timbrens in rear. Do you think I'll need new shocks and coils too??

 

[IdaSHO]

At that mileage Id do it all.

Shocks, coils leafs, and take a real close look at sway bar bushings, ball joints, tie rods, etc. if they have not been addressed already

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

BEST advice ^^^^

 

[potterjon]

The cheap $40 helper springs worked for me for that last year or so and I also got new shocks. My camper weighs 900 lbs wet and I have it on a 98 Tacoma with about 200k miles. I also added some tires that were not "e" rated but they are supposedly the equivalent. The tire ratings table can cross over a little apparently. To my surprise the tires really helped a lot. I use them at max pressure when the camper is on. I am now looking at making some leaf upgrades also. So yeah, go ahead and do it right unless you are just trying to buy some time for a few trips with it like I was.

 

[adamdrummer]

Hey Matt ~
I have a 2012 Tacoma TRD access cab and have an All Terrain Bobcat camper mounted on the truck pretty much full time. My camper is rated at 800#'s unloaded. I imagine by the time I've added my h20, propane and gear I'm over 1200. I've had this setup for a little over a year. The 1st suspension upgrade I did was to add the OME Dakar springs. This was an excellent addition. Really level the truck with the weight. It's a beefy spring pack!

I drive thousands of miles on dirt roads for work in the Mojave desert. So after a year with just the OME leaf springs and everything else stock, I just upgraded my shocks and bumpstops. I added Superbumps from Wheelers. They're about 1/2 the price as Timbrens, but I'm not sure if they make them for your gen Tacoma. Same concept though and were easy to install. I also upgraded to ICON 2.0 shocks in the rear. I've only had this setup on for a week but I can really tell the difference just driving around town. I've been purposely trying to hit the potholes and bumps in the road. I'm getting and lot less "slop" in the rear and it feels much more solid back there. I was on the fence for awhile with airbags but didn't want to have to deal with them popping when I was so remote most of the time. Good luck!

 

[mmiller001]

adamdrummer - thanks for the details on your setup!

An update - I've decided to go with a trifecta of rear suspension upgrades: Custom Alcan leafs + Bilstein 5100 shocks + Timbrens.

The install will be wrapped up this weekend - but so far so good! The leafs are amazing and hold the dry camper weight while still maintaining about a ~2" lift! I suspect fully loaded they will come down a bit, but not much. Really though, the leafs are still smiling even when loaded - I'm very pleased. Originally I figured they'd be sitting on the Timbrens, but not even close. There is about a 2" gap before the Timbrens engage!

I plan to replace the front coil overs in a few months, after the leafs settle and I have a better idea of how the rear sits fully loaded.

Will post more pics this weekend after everything is adjusted.

 

[IdaSHO]

Some of some serious leaf packs!

Id love to see photos of this setup, with camper loaded once done! :ylsmoke:

 

[_coyote_]

hey mmiller001, wondering if you've got an update on how your suspension upgrade has held up? i'm happy to find your thread as i'm going through the same process that you went through. i've got a 1200b camper loaded on a 2002 double cab tacoma w/ 170,000 miles on it. i've already installed timbens but the rear springs are shot and truck sways too much when loaded for me to feel comfortable taking it on the highway. have you stuck with your original upgrades or adding any additional suspension features? thanks!

 

[Motafinga]

I'd be looking a serious brake upgrade as well, my 1st gen Tundra was sketchy AF with a 1200 lb camper in the brake dept.
If it's an auto trans a big cooler and fan would probably also be wise

 

[deadbird]

Tires?

Get some load range E tires if you have not already too.
Happy camping!