Taco with busted rear spring!

[4dmalamute]

Hey there, I have an issue with my taco 4x4. I am posting in here due to you all have the knowledge and answers so here it goes.


My rig (actually wifes truck) is a 1998 ext cab 4x4. I noticed the other day it had a real bad lean to one side. Under inspection, I saw that the passanger side rear spring was busted. Not the whole thing, just one leaf. Anyway, the truck is used for hauling our dirt bikes etc around. Not a offroad beast like my 80 (I know, sissy mobile!). I do want to put a mild lift, say 2 inches on it. I called Downy (good product and price) and some other shops. Can anyone tell me what would be the best option? Oh yes, I have a local spring shop who will put a new leaf in and add a leaf to lift it up, but I am not sure I want to go this route!

Here is a picture of the rig.........sorry, I didnt take one of the spring though.
Thanks for any advice.

Chans

 

[Mark W]

Tacoma springs suck!

I just put a set of 54 inch springs from a '75 Chevy 2wd half ton under a Taco. Works GREAT. Same lengths as the Taco springs, but centered a little differently

I put new hangers on, but with some finessing you could probably make the stock ones work (the Chevy spring is just under 1/4 inch wider). Used the OEM rear shackles and hangers.

I redrilled the spring perch on the axle to help keep it centerd in the wheel well.

Using a new frame mount makes this easier to achieve too. When all was said and done, I may have shifted the frame mount forward about half an inch.

Five leaf spring, about 3-3.5 inches of lift. still has a nice soft ride and you won't need to orrk about breaking.

If you don't want lift, loose the lower two leafs of the spring and you will only see about 1 inch of lift. Just enough to counter typical Taco tail sag. Still strong enough to resist axle wrap. (or breaking like the Taco springs).


Mark...

 

[bkg]

Rear springs from a Gen3 pickup:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/projects/blackbean/ome/

 

[Mark W]

Those are almost as puny as the Taco springs though.

Mark...

 

[4dmalamute]

So do you have any other suggestions then? Any vendors you know are decent etc?

Thanks,
Chans

 

[Mark W]

See my first post above. IMHO it is far and away the best approach.


Mark...

 

[bkg]

Those are almost as puny as the Taco springs though.

Mark...

I disagree. Taco springs had problems since day one; 95.5 and 96 were most common years for breakage. I've never seen or experienced an 89-95 spring break. The stock ones give about 2" of lift when put on a taco, which might be perfect for the OP, given the discussion of carrying loads.

Heck, they're cheap and bolt in... why not try it?

 

[4dmalamute]

I disagree. Taco springs had problems since day one; 95.5 and 96 were most common years for breakage. I've never seen or experienced an 89-95 spring break. The stock ones give about 2" of lift when put on a taco, which might be perfect for the OP, given the discussion of carrying loads.

Heck, they're cheap and bolt in... why not try it?

So Toyota springs that were on trucks from 89 to 95 should bolt up to a 1998 without any issues? I have heard totally different thoughts on this though. Anyone out there know if they will fit without an issue?

Thanks, I am just trying to find the best route and keep cost down since I am officially out of work at the moment!

 

[Mark W]

I disagree. Taco springs had problems since day one; 95.5 and 96 were most common years for breakage. I've never seen or experienced an 89-95 spring break. The stock ones give about 2" of lift when put on a taco, which might be perfect for the OP, given the discussion of carrying loads.

Heck, they're cheap and bolt in... why not try it?

I have broken the 89-95 springs. Two different rigs. I have also carried quite a few loads at the rated payload a few times and seen just how badly these springs handle the weight. Again, better than the Taco, but not well.


Mark...

 

[CHWTOY]

Point of clarification here, an 89-95 rear leaf is a direct bolt on for a 95-97 Taco. NOT the 98-04's, in 98 they went to a longer set of leaf springs and added a third leaf to "fix" the rear leaf problem of the Taco. Which obviously didn't work, but they did seam to last a little longer than the 95-97's.

The cheapest fix would be the 1/2 ton Chevy's though it does require some fabrication. The easiest would be a set of OME's for just over $300 HERE. I would NOT suggest going with the local spring shop as I can pretty much guarantee the remaining leafs in your pack are trash.

Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[4dmalamute]

Thanks to everyone for the info. I ended up going with Downey which gives me the 2.5 inch of lift. I do however need to locate a spacer for the front (out of money to buy the new springs and shocks at the moment.

Thanks again,
Chans

 

[bkg]

I have broken the 89-95 springs. Two different rigs. I have also carried quite a few loads at the rated payload a few times and seen just how badly these springs handle the weight. Again, better than the Taco, but not well.


Mark...

Yours is the first case I've heard of. Learn something new every day!

Point of clarification here, an 89-95 rear leaf is a direct bolt on for a 95-97 Taco. NOT the 98-04's, in 98 they went to a longer set of leaf springs and added a third leaf to "fix" the rear leaf problem of the Taco. Which obviously didn't work, but they did seam to last a little longer than the 95-97's.

The cheapest fix would be the 1/2 ton Chevy's though it does require some fabrication. The easiest would be a set of OME's for just over $300 HERE. I would NOT suggest going with the local spring shop as I can pretty much guarantee the remaining leafs in your pack are trash.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Thanks for chiming in with that info. Totally forgot about the change in 98.

 

[CHWTOY]

I ended up going with Downey which gives me the 2.5 inch of lift. I do however need to locate a spacer for the front (out of money to buy the new springs and shocks at the moment.

Those Downey springs are supposed to be pretty good you should like them, be prepared for the shackle hanger bolt to be FROZEN to your rear leaf eye. Don't be surprised if it requires a hot axe or a press to get it out of there...

As for the front I would hold off on the spacer, you're more than half the cost of new springs and shocks by the time you get it all together and the ride will suck. Save for a couple of months and buy the OME shocks and 881 springs the whole package is about $400 and is just as easy to install as the spacer.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I snapped both sets of my leaf springs on my 96 tacoma. I replaced them at a local spring repair shop for $425. I don't know the maker but they were direct replacements, four leafs, and have worked just fine for 12 months now. Check locally, would be my recommendation....

 

[timbercruiser]

I had a Taco leaf brea years ago. Took it to a spring place and they added a leaf (had to do both sides). Been fine ever since. I occasionaly throw the quad back there which makes the truck level.

 

[4dmalamute]

I will take some pictures of the truck. New Downey rear springs, New front Old Man Emu struts and shocks up front, along with new new OME shocks in rear. The truck sits about 2 inches higher in front and 3.5 inches higher in rear. Looks good. Oh ya, while I was at it, had the bed Line-X and put a new magnaflow muffler on it!

 

[fj40fran]

I'm also looking at rear spring replacement ideas for a 99 Taco, standard cab. Someone thought that maybe springs from a 05 or newer Taco might fit. Anyone know? My '99 measures 55 inches eye-to-eye and is 24 inches from front eye to center pin. I believe they're 2 1/2 inches wide.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

taco springs

Seems several people have had problems w/ broken leaves on tacos around here. I just put some Old man emu springs on a taco for a friend of mine that had broken leafs. I can say the OME stuff is much better and reasonably priced for those looking for a mild lift. You could always do the OME springs in the back and just use coil spacers up front too