TUNDRA, helper springs or air bags...

[woodsman 44]

Hi all, I have a 2001 4x4 tundra that I use for wood cutting.
I cut a lot of wet oak in sierra's and this stuff takes it down to the bump stops....suspentoin fells solid at times.

Have any of you used helper springs?? or air bags??
if yes, did they work ok?

Thanks in advance....Scott

 

[woodsman 44]

Anybody???

 

[Duane]

I don't know what the helper springs or air bags look like for the Tundra but my preference would lean towards the springs.
here is a link on this topic LEAF SPRING PACKS - TRD vs SR5 - Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation

I used to drive several early 90's GMC/Chevy Z71 half tons/1500 series trucks and had sliding drawers full of tools etc in the back for work. At least 600 pounds continous load. I would take the trucks into a local spring/suspension shop and have them add 2 more springs to each of the rear leaf spring packs.
I had bought one truck used with those hard rubber bumpers and that was not very pleasant at all. Think they are still in the garage actually
Some folks put on spring assisted shocks but to me thats scary as I think a shock and shock mounts were designed to dampen loads not to be a load bearing point.
I have seen some guys with air bags of which some love them but I have also seen some guys, with the design on an "L" bracket bolting onto the side of the frame rail, which have actually started twisting the frame rails between the leaf spring hangers.
I like the idea of putting the weight of your load onto 2 points of each frame rail being the hangers rather than too much on one specific point with an air bag. If you had a 5th wheel hitch perhaps the bags but a bumper hitch weighted down or a load of wood, my thinking is to spread the weight bearing points out.
that's my 2 cents

 

[woodsman 44]

I don't know what the helper springs or air bags look like for the Tundra but my preference would lean towards the springs.
here is a link on this topic LEAF SPRING PACKS - TRD vs SR5 - Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation

I used to drive several early 90's GMC/Chevy Z71 half tons/1500 series trucks and had sliding drawers full of tools etc in the back for work. At least 600 pounds continous load. I would take the trucks into a local spring/suspension shop and have them add 2 more springs to each of the rear leaf spring packs.
I had bought one truck used with those hard rubber bumpers and that was not very pleasant at all. Think they are still in the garage actually
Some folks put on spring assisted shocks but to me thats scary as I think a shock and shock mounts were designed to dampen loads not to be a load bearing point.
I have seen some guys with air bags of which some love them but I have also seen some guys, with the design on an "L" bracket bolting onto the side of the frame rail, which have actually started twisting the frame rails between the leaf spring hangers.
I like the idea of putting the weight of your load onto 2 points of each frame rail being the hangers rather than too much on one specific point with an air bag. If you had a 5th wheel hitch perhaps the bags but a bumper hitch weighted down or a load of wood, my thinking is to spread the weight bearing points out.
that's my 2 cents

Cool, thanks for the info....I think I will add a few leaf's to the pack and see how that works....

woodsman

 

[Duane]

I would be careful to see if they just add overload sort of springs being shorter. Hopefully you can maintain close to factory height with a decently soft unloaded ride and the support when you need it with the load of wood.
Air bags might be a solution as they can be adjusted as needed I believe.
It would sort of be nice if someone else could comment on rear suspension spring work that have tried different options on the Tundra in particular.
Good luck

 

[hardontoyotas]

i have talked some guy that use air bags and they say you can't even tell that you are pulling something because the weight is being held by the air bags instead of the springs

 

[fishin]

Prior to coming over to toyota, I used to run HD pickups from Ford and Dodge. My Ford had overloads that gave it a smooth (not really) ride unloaded, but would allow me to put 5,000 lbs plus in the back or a 20,000 pound trailer.

My Dodge had airbags. Much better ride all the way around. Load it up and the bags would inflate further to carry the weight and still allow my headlights to touch the pavement. You simply have to be careful not to overload the truck, as the bags will keep adding air and it is easy to overload.

For more info on air check our turbo diesel register. I think that it is turbodieselregister.com. It is a cummins/dodge forum, but Kelderman makes some great stuff and could point you in the right direction.

Fishin