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Severe drivers side lean

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Strydertortois, Sep 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM.

  1. Sep 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
    #1
    Strydertortois

    Strydertortois [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    2001 Tundra 4x4 V8 Access Cab
    I know there has been multiple posts on this but I wanted to get some insight into my specific issue.
    My 2001 sr5 4x4 Access cab has some pretty bad lean on the drivers side. I purchased the truck used and it came with stock rear suspension (220k miles I have 5100s on the way) and rancho leveling struts on the front.
    The front initially sat .75 inches lower on the drivers side, while the rear sat 1.25 inches lower. As a test, I installed a 1.5 inch block on the drivers side rear. This brought the difference in the rear to .5 inches and the front basically sat level (a little less than .25 inches to the drivers side).
    I assumed that the drivers side leaf spring was sagging so I replaced it today. I also added a .25 inch spacer to the drivers side. After doing this the rear is still leaning 1.25 inches. And the front is now leaning about .6 inches.
    My next thought is that maybe the lean is being caused by the rancho shocks. I have 5100s on the way with OME 2884 springs.
    Is it possible that the front shocks could be causing such a drastic difference in the rear?
    My plan is to install the 5100s in the front along with the .25 inch spacer on the drivers side. If the lean is still present, is it safe to install a spacer block on just the drivers side rear?
     
  2. Sep 6, 2025 at 6:43 PM
    #2
    The Black Mamba

    The Black Mamba A pure specimen of TX Black Snek

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    Flower Mound, TX
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    Imma keep it stock


    Just so you’re aware, the OEM springs are position specific as the left front is actually longer than the right front. It sounds like your front springs have been crossed or the Rancho ones are just equal length left and right.

    Get the 2884s on and then assess the situation. As long as they are installed properly, I bet your problem will be solved or at least better.

    Don’t do anything stupid like run a block or a spacer just on one side. If you think you need to do something with the rear, replace the rear leafs together.
     
    ChattanoogaPhil and Bought2Pull like this.
  3. Sep 7, 2025 at 6:43 AM
    #3
    MT-Tundra

    MT-Tundra Agnostic Gnostic

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    Montana
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    2002 AC 4wd V8 Limited
    I completely agree with Mamba's post, except...It seems accepted around here to go with a small front spacer on one side to help with lean. No bigger than 1/4", as you mentioned. 1st Gen Offroad sells one. I'd think that if you replaced the leaf springs and coils and shocks front and back, the problem would be gone, but just in case...

    https://www.1stgenoffroad.com/store/p1068/1stGenOffRoad.comStrutSpacer.html#/

    The only situation I can see where it makes sense to replace leaf springs on only one side would be with a truck no more than 5 years old, if you somehow broke a leaf on one side. At 20+ years and 200,000+ miles, the both need to be replaced.
     
    Acatlin96 and The Black Mamba like this.
  4. Sep 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
    #4
    Acatlin96

    Acatlin96 amateur breeze shooter

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    Central Coast, CA
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    2003 AC SR5 V8 4WD TRD
    Agree. I run Bilstein 5100s with OME 2885s and the 1/4" spacer up front. Pretty darn even driver to passenger side.
     
  5. Sep 9, 2025 at 8:48 AM
    #5
    Strydertortois

    Strydertortois [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2025
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    Male
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    2001 Tundra 4x4 V8 Access Cab
    Thank you everyone for the input, I will update you guys once I install the new shocks this weekend.
     

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