RC Pilot Jim
Senior Member
I know we all have our favorite methods of upgrading the rear leaf springs on our trucks, so I thought I would
share my latest experience.
My application is to carry, full time, a 2012 Eagle shell (current weight 900 pounds dry) on my new 2013 Tacoma Access Cab. Full time as in "Bolted Down". See post "Bolting FWC Eagle to 2013 Tacoma"- Feb 2,2013. I visited my favorite suspension shop, E & C Spring in Escondido and they installed a 4 leaf spring pack plus the overload rated at 1500 pounds (stock - 3 leafs). Cost $649.00. Then had the camper mounted. I upgraded the tires from the set that comes with the truck's TRD off-road package ("P" as in Passenger265/70R16)-Load range C to LT265/75R16 - Load range E.
Last week we drove to Williams Arizona to take the 4 day train trip to the Grand Canyon. 964 miles round trip. NO squeeks or rattles and a very pleasant ride compared to the old '99 Tacoma (Did not ride like a 4WD). Milege wasn't so great - V6 vs 4cyl (and getting used to 5-speed automatic vs 5-speed manual). Overall average 14.5 mpg. Best leg downhill (Williams 7,000 foot altitude) to Blythe, CA 16.9 mpg. Truck now has 1650 total miles. I'm hoping milege will improve as engine gets broken in.
The first week of March I'm going to Death Valley hot springs, so we will see how it does on the 35 miles of washboard road. I will update this post after Death Valley trip.
share my latest experience.
My application is to carry, full time, a 2012 Eagle shell (current weight 900 pounds dry) on my new 2013 Tacoma Access Cab. Full time as in "Bolted Down". See post "Bolting FWC Eagle to 2013 Tacoma"- Feb 2,2013. I visited my favorite suspension shop, E & C Spring in Escondido and they installed a 4 leaf spring pack plus the overload rated at 1500 pounds (stock - 3 leafs). Cost $649.00. Then had the camper mounted. I upgraded the tires from the set that comes with the truck's TRD off-road package ("P" as in Passenger265/70R16)-Load range C to LT265/75R16 - Load range E.
Last week we drove to Williams Arizona to take the 4 day train trip to the Grand Canyon. 964 miles round trip. NO squeeks or rattles and a very pleasant ride compared to the old '99 Tacoma (Did not ride like a 4WD). Milege wasn't so great - V6 vs 4cyl (and getting used to 5-speed automatic vs 5-speed manual). Overall average 14.5 mpg. Best leg downhill (Williams 7,000 foot altitude) to Blythe, CA 16.9 mpg. Truck now has 1650 total miles. I'm hoping milege will improve as engine gets broken in.
The first week of March I'm going to Death Valley hot springs, so we will see how it does on the 35 miles of washboard road. I will update this post after Death Valley trip.
