I have a '99 Taco and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on replacing/upgrading my stock rear springs. I might consider a small lift and would like something that gives me decent road and off road handling. Currently when cornering it feels like its going to roll over (and looks like its going over too) and just about any bump I go over I am on the rubber stops.

 

These guys make the best custom leaf springs going IMHO and just happen to be in your state. http://www.alcanspring.com/

Another much cheaper option would be to install cross-linked air shocks and then unlink them on-road. This works much like a sway bar for the rear and can be used to raise the back end too. You can get up to 2" of lift at about 110 psi in an empty bed. You can vary the pressure from 25 psi to 150 psi.

I have done both, the Alcan springs were about $450 for a pair and the air shocks were about $60/pair

 

http://www.allprooffroad.com/tacoma.htm

i've bought tons of all-pro stuff, never been disappointed. Pretty good pricing on some products too.

 

If you are upgrading the rear springs you may want to upgrade the front also, otherwise, you may continue to have funny handling. They should compliment each other.

I highly recommend you call these guys. A.O.R., right there in CO. Talk to Randy or Kevin and they will tell you everything you need to know about springs. They can get you set-up. These guys are a class act.

http://www.aor4x4.com/index.htm

 

BTW, AOR uses Alcan springs to make their spring packs.

 

This is correct. Which is why their stuff is so good. But you don't get their expert toyota advice and support if you buy directly from Alcan.

 

check out Deaver Springs

http://www.desertcommunication.net/deaverspring.html

One of best spring makers for desert racing-

I don't ordinarily post negatives about vendors, but-

couple of things about AOR-

1. They charge your credit card when you order, not when your product is shipped. Bad Plan- your stuck, at their mercy.

2. The customer service ended after the card was charged.

3. I ordered products from them twice. The first were tube doors- nice product, well made. It took 3 months to get'm, I'd been told it would be about 6 to 8 weeks up front. The second were 1.5" steel wheel spacers. They assured me they would be shipped in 2 weeks. I waited 85 days for delivery. They would not respond to phone calls, e-mails or registered letters. In this case, they only responded to me after the charge had been placed in dispute with my VISA card holders service, and was in the process of being reversed from their account. By some minor mirical, my wheel spacers showed up on the 90th day. Most credit cards will not allow a charge reversal to be processed after 90 days, I had placed the order in dispute on the 86th......

 

I went with Old Man Emu leaf-springs from these guys... http://www.arbusa.com

I'd do it again too.

You will probably want some kind of lift in the front, as 99.9% of replacement springs for the Taco will give you a slight lift in the back.

Jim

 

Oh, and here's some pricing on the OME stuff...
http://www.4by4connection.com/tacoma3.html
(shop around for better pricing, but this isn't too bad)

For my full lift I got:
881 Front Coils
N91C Front Shocks
...and all the other stuff they list to buy. I got it for around $950 (I think...it's been a while).

 

Sorry to hear that about AOR. I had great service from Alcan, they told me up front at would take 5-6 weeks and the springs were at my door in 4 weeks. They were very helpful everytime I called and almost always answered their phone during business hours. They ask me how much lift I wanted and how much weight I carry in the bed and where. They know Toyota trucks very well. AOR makes a great spring pack (orbit eye bushings) but it is geared more towards hardcore rock crawlers. I could justify the extra cost.