3rd Gens look like they're taking off

[TeryT]

I've always wondered why 3rd geners look like the front end is significantly higher. I pulled beside one today & took a close look. Everything about it looked like the front is higher - or is this a design illusion?

Why did they make them like that?

In contrast, the 4th gens look higher in the back, which seems to make more sense for towing, etc.

 

[AlphaQup]

I kept contemplating the same thing everytime i see a 3rd gen. But then again not all 3rd gens have that problem. My assumption was that they're just old and the shocks/springs in the rear are worn out and sagging, due to the continued extra weight they have to endure over their lifetime. Everytime you accellerate most of the trucks weight transfers towards the rear end. Right or wrong guys?

I just hope the 4th gens don't develope the same problem in the years to come. :bash:

 

[Thai]

I kept contemplating the same thing everytime i see a 3rd gen. But then again not all 3rd gens have that problem. My assumption was that they're just old and the shocks/springs in the rear are worn out and sagging, due to the continued extra weight they have to endure over their lifetime. Everytime you accellerate most of the trucks weight transfers towards the rear end. Right or wrong guys?

I just hope the 4th gens don't develope the same problem in the years to come. :bash:

Mostly right. The 3rd gen's rear springs are notorious for sagging, especially if you have a rear hitch and tow often. 3rd gen after 1999 has less sagging but still sags over time.

The 4th gen looks low in the front because of the requirement for car-truck compatibility crash. The front end on the 4th gen is much lower due to this.

 

[TeryT]

Mostly right. The 3rd gen's rear springs are notorious for sagging, especially if you have a rear hitch and tow often. 3rd gen after 1999 has less sagging but still sags over time.

The 4th gen looks low in the front because of the requirement for car-truck compatibility crash. The front end on the 4th gen is much lower due to this.

Really!? It seems like every 3rd gen I see is like this!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The rear coils sag after about 80k but I have new ones on mine and the rear sits an inch higher than the front but I know what you mean.

 

[Northof49]

Ya the 2nd and 1st gens do it too.....and the trucks of those vintages.

 

[LSUMBA]

There was actually a TSB out there for the rear springs on the 3rd gen. Some kind of design flaw caused the rear sagging & other suspension issues. I only towed things three times with my 97 SR5 & my truck started to sag a bit in the back. I had the coils replaced for free as part of the TSB & the back rides higher & a lot stiffer.

 

[TeryT]

There was actually a TSB out there for the rear springs on the 3rd gen. Some kind of design flaw caused the rear sagging & other suspension issues. I only towed things three times with my 97 SR5 & my truck started to sag a bit in the back. I had the coils replaced for free as part of the TSB & the back rides higher & a lot stiffer.

And I actually thought they were just made like that! To look like they were taking off - some strange Japanese concept or sumptin!