Cali squat... THAT I DONT WANT

So I towed with my truck and now I have a VERY noticeable squat that looks like shit. The obvious corrections are to get a new leaf pack but I'm not made of money. What are yalls thoughts on the quality of the leafs and possible other options to raise the rear a tiny.

 

Airbags are a cheap alternative.

 

So you didn't have the squat prior to towing and you now have a squat? That would tell me that something is broken. How heavy was the load?

 

If something is not broken, get airbags and shackles.

 

Or.. you could add a leaf in the rear and increase the weight capacity.

 

Quickie is shackles. If plan on towing more then maybe airbags or leafs and shackles.

 

So you towed, and after you dropped the load, and are no longer towing, you still have squat? If that's the case, like someone said, sounds like something broke.

If you just have squat while towing...well Toyotas tend to have that. You can remedy it fairly well, and cheaper than a leaf pack, with some new beefy shackles. Check out one of the Coachbuilder threads around here. I have 3+ shackels = no more squat.

 

Do the shackles actually prevent the squat? Or de the shackles just lift the rear of the rig so that when weight is added to the bed/ bumper, the truck sits level instead of squatting? I thought the shackles just lifted the rear?

 

So disclaimer, I'm not towing 9,000 lbs around. But I've put 1,000 lbs in the bed while renovating my house, before and after the shackles. Personally I think the squat is less, maybe it's placebo or illusion, but noticable and looks much better after 3+ shackles.

 

lift block between the axle and leaf spring. +1", +1.5 or +2" available

 

I would assume they are some what similar to leaf spring helpers, but im not sure.

Theres also leaf spring helpers. They might stiffen up the rear a little much for most ppls taste but they help.

 

Timbren, add a leaf, shackles.... many different options besides a complete new leaf pack. Also, are you using a weight distribution hitch on your trailer?

 

Shackles just lift the truck. If you lift the truck with say a +2 which gives you about an inch and a quarter of lift, it basically gives you an 1.25 more up travel because it’s changing the gap in between your bump stop and frame. But bushings that replace the ones in the spring make for a nice ride. This may not be the best for towing because now your springs are just bending that much more before contacting the bumps.

If someone is looking for something more temporary they should do bags or something like a timbren or sumo spring. If you buy the timbren you can swap it out with a super bump when unloaded, it’s just one screw. But all that adds up to.$$

 

Being that I’m from California I prefer to call this look the “Bro lean” AKA pre-runner look. I actually don’t hate the look but it just looks so useless as a truck after that. I bet the steering is just wonderful when someone’s truck already has bro lean and then load the trailer up so it’s even worse.

 

Check out RAS, basically a helper spring. It'll give a little lift to the rear end but the benefit really kicks in when you load the bed or hook up a trailer - no squat, improved handling.

 

The 8 inch lift leaves me a bit suspicious...something is either bent or broken.

 

I put airbags on mine. I am happy with them.

 

Nothing is broken but you can definitely tell that the leafs arent in their normal brand new condition. I've spoke with a few people who work with fox and they said the Toyota leaf packs are known for the issue if you tow alot. The loaf was house stuff from our move from Portland to LA. so it was a long haul and I also had a car on a dolly for the trip.

 

Since I've never heard of that... that's a hard no lol

 

I've got an 8in lift but to add insult to injury I have bilstein 5100 in the front which are set at the lowest setting but they sit almost an inch higher on the lowest setting. So that adds a tad to the front and the es9000 in the rear sit a tad lower. So Murphy's Law cursed my truck lol.

 

5100s provide lift even on their lowest setting. Should only be about .6” lift if I remember correctly. If you get more than that, it’s somewhat common for people to install the spring cups upside down. Which is bad. You should not be able to the the C-clip, it should be captured by the cup.

Rear shocks have zero to do with ride hight. More information is needed about your lift. You say 8in. Is that 8 in front and rear? Or 8 front and maybe 6 rear?

 

I can't see my clip on the 5100's. It was installed correctly. And it may just be me.... but shocks have TONS to do with ride height. I've got a pro comp lift. I didn't necessarily post my gripe or complaint to get schooled. It was about information on alternatives to a full leaf pack because if I went that route I wouldn't get stock leafs. 500 bucks for bags is cheaper.

 

Ok but rear shocks do not give you lift. It’s completely relevant to you post. So are the questions about your setup that you haven’t even answered. Hard to make suggestions without knowing all the facts. So be defensive and have a nice evening. You’ve been here long enough to understand how this works.

 

You asked 2 questions... it's an 8nch lift FRONT AND REAR. And to rebuttal your comment for trying to be a smartass, shocks can lift your vehicle.... after that comment I dont think I'd take your input anyways. Take that mess somewhere else.

 

Yo!!! How goes it brotha!? I'll have to check into Alcan. I'll have to take some measurements from center cap to wheel well so yall can kinda picture what I'm saying. This is just one thing I never really looked into.

 

I think I'm more of a penny pincher now that I have a 4yr old and 2yr old. They are eating me out of a house and home

 

No...it just improves handling. You cannot increase actual capacity that way.

I went with airbags. $250 in my case. Also does not increase capacity, but very much improves handling with a load.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I really haven't heard much feedback on them. I just immediately went to 4 wheel parts and looked at some. With a lift and MT's, smooth ride isnt really an issue for me lol. Although I wouldnt be opposed to it.

 

OK this is the last I’m gonna say about it. A shock will not lift your vehicle unless there’s a spring wrapped around it. All that a shock does is dampen the movement of the suspension. Sounds like you felt emasculated because you didn’t want to be “schooled”. You can continue to think that, and you can continue to be wrong. You can lash out and think that makes you right all of a sudden. I was just stating facts. There were plenty of options throughout this thread. You’ve been around here a long time, this has been discussed before, search the forum. I was doing nothing but trying to help someone that couldn’t find the information here. Figured you needed the full breakdown.

So if you want to be weird about it... fine