So Im about to add about 300 pounds of swing away tire carrier+rear bumper+spare tire (Ill post pics once its painted) to the ol' gal and Im concerned about the rear hight. I have 2.5" front springs on it that level it out, and my fear is that the 300 pounds extra are going to make it ride "saggy" in the rear. I have been considering air bags, but would they be a viable solution for a bit of lift. Are they something that can be used 24/7 to keep the rear up or should I bite the bullet and just do the springs in the rear?

 

I would go with a custom leaf pack.Just think how long those oem springs have been used and abused With a custom set they can build the exact ride height you want plus a smoother.

Bob

 

well i can report that my brother used some airbags on his 99 tacoma. and he said it rides a lot better and that it removed the sag of his 400lb toolbox in the back. the thing said something like 1psi=500lbs lift. and hes running about 12 in his and loves them

 

I installed some firestone 5000 lb air bags on my truck when I had my lance camper. They woorek real good, now I sold the camper and got me a 5th wheel the air bags still work real good wouldn't be with out bags any more. got a 3" re arch and a add a spring in the front air bags keep it level no matter the weight in the back.

Greg

 

if you want to raise the rear then get new leafs.. i you want to help when hauling a load ad air bags..

but 300lbs really should not make a big difference in rear ride hieght unless your leafs are wore out..

I just put 500lbs of steel on the back this weekend and mine did not sag at all.

 

You can get a Firestone Ride Rite system for under 300 that will work fine. You can even remove a leaf if you want it to ride better unloaded. I agree with above, 300# shouldn't be noticed.

 

I have to try to get my truck to squat any. When I had the 1100lbs of scrap back there you could barely tell it was working. 300lbs I don't think will hurt anything.

 

I've got more than 300lbs in mine right now. I've got a toolbox up front that's probably not much more than 100lbs with the stuff in it. I've got a bed mat in it and 2 140lb tractor-wheel weights in the very back to help dampen the bumps and road "imperfections". Of course I also run 5-10 psi in the air bags. Doesn't seem to affect the height one bit.

 

Anybody running bags up front?

 

i put a 1400lb wheel horse garden tractor in the back of mine all the time, and my truck does not evn think about squatting. i would not even notice 300lbs hanging off the back of mine.