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Freebeard,
Rigging up some kind of weight rack wouldn’t be a bad idea for temporary use for icy/snowy conditions. When the forecast calls for snow and ice I usually start throwing cinder blocks or the like in the bed. I actually do have some steel weights hanging around…
For daily use though I would really prefer to have less weight than I have now, so dedicated weights are off the table. I am really just trying to readjust the “dual purpose” weights I already have and “need” to keep. Stuff like the jack, wrenches, sockets, come along, pulley, straps, shackles, air compressor, and a variety of other tools can all be relocated. I will put these side mounted toolboxes as far back in the bed as I can, definitely behind the axle.
I would (eventually) move the battery behind the axle too, but I don’t think I will have room without inhibiting the use of the truck bed so it will probably end up just in front of the rear axle. The battery is currently in front of the front axle (and thus taking weight off the rear axle), so relocating that 78lb weight backwards would really help.
Another thing is the Tacoma has a decent amount of uneven weight distribution side to side, with the battery, driver, and gas tank on the driver’s side. I will try to put more of the weight on the passenger side, such as the battery and the heavier tools.
I might have to get stiffer springs for the back after I do all this. I have the two leaf pack (2+overload) which are notoriously weak, but Toyota has a recall on my leaf springs so I am hoping early next year they will install a new three leaf (3+ overload) spring pack.
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