Leaf Springs for 1999 1st gen Tacoma

I am planning to replace my sagging, 22 year old, stock leaf springs on my 1999 Tacoma 3.4 4x4. I don't do any major off roading. I use my truck as a work truck for hauling and towing. I want to keep my truck as close to stock height as possible, but with a heavier duty leaf spring pack, so I'm looking at the Dayton HD leaf springs from Rockauto.com. Does anybody have any recommendations for a heavy duty, close to stock height, leaf spring pack? I don't need something as heavy duty or with such a lift as the OME Dakars. Anybody have any experience with the Dayton brand?


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No personal experience with Dayton but the company General Spring has a fantastic HD leaf pack that is meant for more load without a lift. Lotta good reviews from guys on here with those replacements

https://www.generalspringkc.com/leaf-springs/toyota/tacoma/1998-2000-toyota-tacoma-leaf-springs/

 

I would consider a standard duty set of General springs, and a set of airbags.

HD springs you'll a a big lift when your truck is empty and it will ride rough. HD springs are good if you constantly have heavy loads (like a camper shell, rack, roof top tent etc...) but if you're hauling loads of dirt and rock, IMO airbags are better.

 

+1 vote for airbags. With an onboard compressor if you need the convenience of that.

 

I am in the same situation with which way to go with my truck, everyone says if you’re springs are flat or reverse arched the are worn out. So I got standard duty and the are the same or maybe even a little worse. Spring company says that’s how they are supposed to look, I think they are wrong and currently in an email fight with them. Not sure what to do now.

 

That’s how my brand new SDs looked. I don’t think it’s an issue at all.

 

1st gen Tacaomas have always been a little flat in the leaf spring department. Brand new they're pretty flat.

You just don't want them to be "w" shaped.

 

Hard to see in the pic but if you zoom in and look at the front of the springs is that what your calling W shaped? Just trying to get opinions and be able to tell the company what others have experienced with standard springs on first gens, thanks for any input.

 

This is more of what you don't want...


The "w" is pretty subtle. but it frowns at the axle, then curves back up at the ends.

It's really more that the whole spring is a frowny face.

 

Cool, thanks
So the rear shackle angle looks normal as well?

 

This came at the right time. I was just started looking for new springs for my 2000 Prerunner. Don't need any lift just get rid of the sag.

 

I went with the General Spring HD on my 1998 and am quite happy with them.

 

@Watterdog do you have a camper or any other constant extra weight that you wanted the HD springs for? What do you use your truck for? Are the HD springs a harsh ride without a load in the truck? I'm stuck between getting heavy duty springs or stock springs and add a leaf or airbags. My truck bed is usually empty unless I'm hauling dirt, mulch, equipment, etc. for my work at a farm/nature preserve.

 

I use the rig for camping and for back country exploring/road tripping/fishing/etc. I have a camper shell and accessories that are on all of the time so I don't know how it would ride with zero load. My old springs were worn out and hit the bump stops (rattling my brain) every time I hit a bump. I wanted new springs but didn't want any lift, so went with the Generals HD for support and to keep the ride height close to stock. I've had them for about 30K miles. They were pretty stiff when brand new, but now they ride really nice both on and off-road.

 

I've been very happy with these and I self installed. I also have since replaced my rear brake line for an extended line. https://deaverspring.com/product/tacoma-2wd-4wd-6-lug-1998-2004-8-leaf-spring-1-1-2-inch-lift-rear/

 

the springs can be "flat" but should not be "negatively" arched. at that point they are resting more on the overload which is a harsher ride. aftermarket will be stronger depending but the stock is a 3+1. even OME rate as standard load but with 7-8 lighter leafs to achieve the lift

 

Thats my opinion too but when I search the topic there is definitely people who say the stock springs and the SD replacements are supposed to be negative arch. My new SD’s are as negative as my old springs with 280k on them. Spring company says they look right but they obviously don’t want to take them back. Anyone got pics of a new or really low mile first gen spring at ride height?
The pic of my truck as it sits with new SD springs and stock springs in the front with bilstiens set at stock height looks low in the back to me, shouldn’t it be slightly higher in the back?
Thanks for any and all replies.

 

Think these are bad??

 

Yes

 

My personal experience says those springs are fine, however you will get wildly different opinions on rear springs on the first gen trucks. Hears my brand new SD springs, spring company says that’s how they should look?