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I'm looking for these easiest cheapest way to get some support at the rear end of my truck. I had 2,200 lb in it the other day and it was only axle. Original leaf springs they're tired don't do much. I don't know whether to add some kind of extra leaf, booster shocks, sumos, air bags. If any of you guys could shed some light as what would be the easiest could you please suggest. I have an extra cab long bed 86. 2x4....tks... If you have a great suggestion could you tell me where to buy also...tks! Frank in VA. 2200lbs, Xtra cab long bed
Yeah thats a lotta weight for a lil toyo. I got some add a leaf springs off of ebay for about $40, raised the rear 3". I saw a toyo leaving home depot one day in my old one, it was on the ground crooked. There was a full pallet of fresh sod in the back of the truck, owner yelling at the forklift driver very heatedly. I dunno if the axle snapped or what but it looked very bad. Maybe get some beefy 4x4 springs and a 1 ton axle, was thinking of doing that to mine. Be careful I just saw 2 vehicles sunday w missing rearends, crazy!
Airbags would probably be the best because you can adjust them to the load. I am not sure where to get them, but I remember seeing them online before with proper mounting hardware. I think they were Firestone? I have seen them on some Toyota RVs and they work well.
The cheapest option would be to get some 1-Ton springs from a junkyard. If you can find an old Toyota motorhome or any other Toyota cab & chassis truck, the spring packs can be quite thick. The would work well for weight, but the unloaded ride quality would be bad. I put a 3 leaf pack from a parts truck on my '88 2wd, and it noticeably hurt the ride quality.
There is also the Zuk mod, but you have to get creative to make it work on the sprung-under 2wd axle. It has been done on a 2wd, but it might take a bit of searching to find the write-ups.
The non-full floating motorhomes had problems with axleshafts snapping, so be careful hauling too much weight. The axles were recalled and the full floaters were installed in place of the stock axle. That would be the best option for weight if you can find one in the junkyard. I am not sure of the legalities in your state for hauling more than the truck is rated for, but a more legal option would be to get a small trailer. If I remember correctly, the tow ratings of these trucks is 2000 for an auto and 3500 for a manual.
I'd either get a open trailer and pull it behind the Toyota truck or find some p.o.s. full-size ford truck that can handle the weight.
That much of the load behind the rear wheels really compounds the issue.
The plus with a trailer is if you can find a decent used one you most likely could sell it for what you paid for it, or more. Easy to load and unload, plus you can leave at the job site and drive your truck home.
No matter how much you spend that truck will never properly carry a ton in the bed. At least not safely.
06-08-2021, 12:14 PM
