2001 Toyota Tacoma Leaf spring

BLUEYONDER

MEMBER
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
72,000 MILES

Why does the bottom leaf spring on the toyota face down. This is the thickest, strongest spring and with it turned down, it really doesn't support the load until the other springs are really loaded down and straining. If the spring was turned up, then the spring would support the other springs much sooner. So, my question is of course why have the bottom spring turned down, not up?

1 Reply

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

The bottom one is upside down because it gives the truck a much, much better ride quality since it is not pressuring the upper leaf springs. It's called the overload spring and is only there for ride quality and in serious causes where there is an extremely heavy load, it will support the extra weight and not add any lift under un-loaded conditions like you may see in Fords and Chevy where the front end sags down a lot further than the rear of the truck.