Bought the truck new on 12/24/2010. My three others being a 1986 1 Ton ( best Vehicle I've ever owned), a 1997 4wd ( super as well but totaled while I was parked by a snow plow) and had broken springs as well @ 125k miles and now the 2011. A service manager I knew pretty well at the dealership remarked as I was leaving "Great truck except for the leaf springs". Seemed odd at the time but an omen of what was to come.
As others have complained, my springs started squeaking at about 7500 miles and were greased with every oil changed at the dealership, the problem never went away. I'm guessing at about 25,000 miles they installed shims and the problem seemed cured. Forward to November 2013. A rattling started at the left rear and progressed and I found the problem. A broken main leaf about 6" in front of the axle. I called the dealership on my 3rd anniversary of ownership. I was told that the truck was out of warranty due to mileage but he would see what he could do. He called back and said regional would replace the spring for $350 rather than the $800 it usually costs.
I thought to myself why do only one side and took it to a buddy who does work for us on our mid to heavy trucks (F550's and the like and our Macks). He said he would never do just one side, he would not replace with OEM just to have them same problem in a couple years and said he had success with an aftermarket source. He should know as he said he had done two sets in the last month, The police chief's 2008 with 50k miles and a local painters 2010 with less miles than that. None of the trucks including mine have ever been overloaded, not even close, but are in daily contact with Vermont roads which can be a tough environment. Funny my 1986 never had a spring issue, was 4 times older when sold and had 5 times the miles in the same environment. A couple days later I was in a local NAPA and another mechanic overheard my problem and said he's done several himself. The complaints on the internet seem to be never ending as well.
The aftermarket springs were installed yesterday, 1/17/2014. 1 leaf thicker and heavier as well. Out the door for $640 for both compared to Toyota's price of $350 for one, ($1600 for 2 if at the regular price). The kicker is that when replacing the other side, well that was broken too, about 6" behind the right axle.
My advice to anyone considering this truck in the northeast with its salt and dirt roads is "Caveat Emptor" as the leaf springs WILL fail, and much sooner than you think.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought the truck new on 12/24/2010. My three others being a 1986 1 Ton ( best Vehicle I've ever owned), a 1997 4wd ( super as well but totaled while I was parked by a snow plow) and had broken springs as well @ 125k miles and now the 2011. A service manager I knew pretty well at the dealership remarked as I was leaving "Great truck except for the leaf springs". Seemed odd at the time but an omen of what was to come.
As others have complained, my springs started squeaking at about 7500 miles and were greased with every oil changed at the dealership, the problem never went away. I'm guessing at about 25,000 miles they installed shims and the problem seemed cured. Forward to November 2013. A rattling started at the left rear and progressed and I found the problem. A broken main leaf about 6" in front of the axle. I called the dealership on my 3rd anniversary of ownership. I was told that the truck was out of warranty due to mileage but he would see what he could do. He called back and said regional would replace the spring for $350 rather than the $800 it usually costs.
I thought to myself why do only one side and took it to a buddy who does work for us on our mid to heavy trucks (F550's and the like and our Macks). He said he would never do just one side, he would not replace with OEM just to have them same problem in a couple years and said he had success with an aftermarket source. He should know as he said he had done two sets in the last month, The police chief's 2008 with 50k miles and a local painters 2010 with less miles than that. None of the trucks including mine have ever been overloaded, not even close, but are in daily contact with Vermont roads which can be a tough environment. Funny my 1986 never had a spring issue, was 4 times older when sold and had 5 times the miles in the same environment. A couple days later I was in a local NAPA and another mechanic overheard my problem and said he's done several himself. The complaints on the internet seem to be never ending as well.
The aftermarket springs were installed yesterday, 1/17/2014. 1 leaf thicker and heavier as well. Out the door for $640 for both compared to Toyota's price of $350 for one, ($1600 for 2 if at the regular price). The kicker is that when replacing the other side, well that was broken too, about 6" behind the right axle.
My advice to anyone considering this truck in the northeast with its salt and dirt roads is "Caveat Emptor" as the leaf springs WILL fail, and much sooner than you think.
- Peter H., W. Townshend, VT, US