AAL or Leaf Pack Recommendations?

I've got a 23 TRD OR with King Shocks 25001-121A in the rear.
Looking for suggestions on leaf packs OR 3 Leaf AAL (only have 12k miles)
Hoping to gain between 1 - 1.5" lift.
I pulled the trigger on the shocks during a sale and realized later I should have opted for the EXT's so that limits my options since I can only go up to 1.5".

I daily drive with an empty bed and off road once or twice a month.
Possibly once or twice annually, I plan to use the truck to tow my car to the track.

Icon RXT Leaf Packs would have been ideal had I opted for the EXT's since they yield 1.875" of lift so those are not an option.. unfortunately..

Deaver J66 leaf packs would be nice off roading however not an option since I've read they are way too soft. This would be an issue towing.

With low miles and limited options, I'm looking into Headstrong's 3 leaf add a leaf.
I was hoping those that are running this AAL can chime in on how it performs on/ off road and towing.

 

Commenting since I'm also wanting to lift my truck. I'm looking at the front spacer + Icon AAL pack in the rear, but everyone says to buy the shocks for the front instead. If I own a 2WD taco, I shouldn't need to worry about a diff drop. Do I still need sway bar relocation kits? Figure these questions may be answered in this thread. Good luck OP

 

Anymore than 1-1.5" in the rear is quite big.

I'm a fan of 3 leaf AAL for new packs, then buy a big pack later on thats catered to your needs.

A heavy pack on a truck with no load gets tiring. It's the best choice for lift and towing but expensive and you get basically nothing for the factory pack.

 

Rear King Shocks are now all EXT I know it doesn’t say on the part number but it is.

this is from AccuTune website:


I’m also looking to lift the rear thinking of getting rxt because of price point but Deaver u402 will be my second choice. If I had new springs I would go with Headstrong 3 leaf. Hope this helps.

 

Talking about a 1/3 of an inch? If you are that worried about it just put a sand bag in the bed until it sags a bit. Just thinking out loud.

 

Depending on the purpose of your truck a spacer lift will be fine. Personally, I'd never do a spacer lift. I'd shell out extra money for some 5100's you'll benefit from better performing shocks and you do have a bit of heigh adjustability from the circlip.

Yepp this is what I was thinking especially since I don't have a bunch of miles on the stock leaf packs.

 

Wow, I totally missed this. @johnnytwotimes thanks for pointing this out. This kinda changes things now lol
Both RXT and U402 seem like solid options

 

I was actually thinking this too while driving out in this storm in California. If anything, I'm sure it'll even help keep the rear end planted.

 

ICON rxt are still an option. Most trucks use the shocks as the limiting factor.

For a 3 leaf AAL I would only recommend ICON again. Have installed over a dozen of their aal kits. Make sure the installer will grind off the rear rivet off your factory leak pack, otherwise you will get squeaking.

 

Deavers are nice and the RXT is a very popular choice. The add a leafs are one of the most popular adds before a full new pack.

We are still working on Deaver but have access to Icon. Another is Dobinsons they make a solid add a leaf and full pack replacements. We’re a dealer for Dobinsons as well. Send me a DM if you’re interested in any.

 

Deaver makes a really nice product. Unfortunately I don't recommend them as of last week. They altered my friend and customer's leaf spring including install. They installed the leaf spring mounting bolts backwards. They lost one of his rear shock lower bolt washers, they left other things loose like his parking brake cable attaching bracket.

If they can't install a simple Tacoma leaf spring correctly. Then I don't trust Deaver to do anything correctly.

 

Ah man that's horrible. Luckily, I used to turn wrenches for work so I'd most likely install myself. I'm hoping the shop makes thing right for your buddy.

 

I am his mechanic lol. Have installed over 100 Tacoma lift kits. Only reason I could point out all the errors is because I know Tacoma suspension probably like no one else on the planet.

 

man that's a bummer to hear.

 

They are great at making leaf packs. I won't take that away from them and still wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. Maybe they had a rookie doing installs that day (2 weeks ago).

 

Very possible. Only purchased from them did not have them install but it is hard to get good help/installers/mechanics now a days.

 

I was thinking of buying this Torch Performance lift kit. Comes with AAL in rear, and 2" spacer up front. You can also get blocks in the rear for slightly cheaper. Honestly, my Taco does a little light off roading but it's 2wd so I don't do nothing crazy, mostly putt around town, want it for looks only.

 

Hell Yeah!! That’s my rig pic with the rear set up tuned for rig from @AccuTune Offroad with there bumps specific. Great set up Won’t disappoint. I have RXT set option 3 it’s great

 

I had these on my 2016. They were better than stock, gave the ride height a little boost. Only negative was they were squeaky.

https://store.arbusa.com/rear-leaf-spring-el111r/?Year=2016&Make=Toyota&Model=Tacoma

 

How much lift did it give you? I heard good things about this lift