Replace leaf springs or add a leaf?

I am looking to get rid of the blocks I have in my Tacoma and put in a completely new left spring setup. I am not sure if it worth replacing all the leaf springs? Or just adding a 1.5in add a leaf. let me know what yall recommend and what brands I should be looking at.

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

Welcome to the forum!

Is the leaf pack shot?
Is it not rebounding?
Ask yourself these questions
What do you think?

Just from what you said above I would replace with new and no blocks. Both sides
Good luck

 

Leaf springs come as a pack; so fortunately against your thinking, individual leaf springs are not pulled out for replacing.

Knowing that you're removing the rear block, I take it you wish to retain your lift?

If your leaf pack is tired out, I'd recommend some OME Dakar's on a budget.

If you want something more suited for flexibility and off road, Deaver and Alcan make great leaf packs.

You can get one customized to your liking as well by the above 2 companies but for a bit more money.

 

+1 on the Dakar recommendation. I have the medium pack. An additional comment, I did not want the full 2.5" to 3" Dakars provide. So, I pulled the upper overload (which is .6" thick) to bring the lift down to my 2" target. Works great. Doesn't affect normal usage at all. My truck has a shell so I never have that much weight to bear in the back and it doesn't ever ride on the overloads.

 

Even easier for 1st gens; only 1 leaf pack option available.

But the removal of a leaf still applies for those that want a bit less lift and don't need as much weight handling.

 

I have the icon 1.5 inch progressive add a leaf pack and really like the ride, with nothing in the bed its a little harsh but when I have some weight such as my canopy the ride it super smooth, but I think almost any add a lead or leaf pack will be a little harsh with a empty truck.

 

Also in the market for new leaf pack. Mine are flat and frown with just 200-250lbs in the back, pretty weak. Got to assume they’re original from 95. I’m leaning the Dakar route with new nitro chargers front and back. Are you able to pull a leaf on the CS019R? I don’t want a crazy lift, maybe 1.5-2” and pair it with 880/881 coils up front. I ride empty like 90% of the time I drive.. camping, hauling landscape crap and dirt biking being the exception. (Sorry, long rant, didn’t want to start new thread)

 

I'd say that if you're still running on the original springs, it's for sure worth it to just replace the entire leaf pack. It's a safe bet tehy are worn out.

For a 1.5" lift, the Deaver J59s are a very popular and very high quality spring. They aren't necessarily made for heavy lifting (off road oriented performance), so if you have heavy junk in your trunk, I'd say an add-a-leaf is best. Or better yet, new leaf pack, plus the add-a-leaf for the extra weight. Just doing an add-a-leaf on an old worn out leaf pack is kind of a band-aid fix...

There are a few other brands, like the OME Dakars, but those are more like a 2.5"-3" lift... I suppose you could remove a leaf like others have said, but I kinda hesitate to screw around with a leaf pack like that.

I think others have mentioned that there is also the option of a 3-leaf pack, ICON, and a few others make those, too. Those are an intermediate choice between a single add-a-leaf and a whole new leaf pack.

The "best" and of course most expensive, is a full custom set of Alcans. They're pricey, but you're guaranteed to get exactly what you want.

 

I got tired of the stock leaf springs & front coils, the way the rear sagged when it was loaded plus I carry emergency gear/tools, and have a shell & an ARB deluxe bumper. I went with an OME complete suspension kit:
883 front coils
Nitro charger gas shocks
Dakar leaf springs
AAL
Stainless steel brake lines/greasable shackles/exhaust bracket kit
SPC UCA

I got 3” lift, no more sagging on heavy loads, and am happy with the way the truck rides & handles the road. You can get the Dakar leaf springs without the AAL, the 880 or 881 front coils, and still get about 2” lift. Here’s a couple of pictures of my truck:

 

Thanks for the info. I just ordered a full OME kit from Wheelers, hope it doesn't take to long to get here!