Thoughts on leaf springs or add a leaf

I picked up my new 2023 Tacoma OR access cab finally. I have a new fiberglass shell going on the bed in a few weeks I’m assuming 250-300lbs. I will also be towing our casita 17ft trailer on some trips and a long one this fall.

I don’t want to lift the Tacoma and I’d like to have it still be a good daily driver and rig to head to baja with for some surf trips in winter when I’m off. I’m debating between a 1 1/2” add a leaf or a 2” OME new leaf pack. Just wondering if with the camper shell back there at all times and the casita periodically that you guys would suggest for a good overall solution.

Thanks

 

My thought is, use what you have. The original springs don't sell for much, so do a simple add a leaf, then replace them down the road. They work best with virgin springs.

You are right about the shell, it does add weight and causes the rear to squat sooner. It's basically a "leveling kit" in the wrong way haha.

You can also decide to with airbags maybe, depending on how it goes with the camper.

 

Talk to Lew at Alcan he will get you set up. Your truck will ride close to the same and he will design that leaf pack to do just what you need.

 

Ok thanks for the feedback so far guys. Seems like nothing is perfect, but some options are available. I’ll do a quick google search for alcan ow and see about those.

I had considered airbags, but I’ve never liked them personally. Also when I do go to baja I’d like to have my truck function and be capable for some rough roads.

 

there is a set of Headstrong AAL on the Gen3 BST thread - a good deal if you are local to them.

I run the HS AAL with Sumo's (1000 lb capacity) for my use - pulling camper(2500 lb loaded) and bed loaded with stuff. Works perfect with no rear sag when loaded and no bounce when stock. Added about 1.5 inches in rear height.

 

The weight I carry in my bed and the trailers I tow change fairly often so I went with a single AAL plus airbags (gave me just under a 2” lift in the back) Been running them for about 2 years and I’m really happy with the set-up and the versatility it gives me...

 

I have a LB with a cap and did sumo springs initially then upgraded to Deaver stage 2 Expedition leaf packs when I did my Eibach stage 2 front coilovers. Very happy with the decision. Have seen lots of people regret AAL, but many get decent life out of them. Likely depends on how much weight your hauling. My factory leafs only had 10k on them but I didn’t want to do it twice.

 

Why do they regret the AAL?

 

Thanks for the info. Seems like there are a couple of options for leafs and AAL’s. Just out of curiosity do you guys know if i could get new leafs 2” for the rear and keep the Tacoma TRD OR shocks? If so I assume I could get some 1” spacers also up front to keep it level?

 

You should upgrade to a heavier shock but you only need a longer shock if you expect to max it out. You can run oem shocks on 2” lift, you just lack down travel.

 

If you are spending the money on a leaf or an AAL you might want new shocks, I wasn’t a fan of the amount of body roll etc with my factory OR suspension though. It’s was a little too floaty.

 

AAL are a stop gap.
New leafs are the best route.

I’m planning on going with deavers, hopefully sooner than later.

 

Yeah I’m kind of realizing that now. I almost wish I just got an SR5 and just upgraded the suspension immediately. I’m a little disappointed in the TRD suspension. Not really sure the extra money was worth the stickers and crawl control. Think I’ll just do an AAL for now, so I can at least use up some of the tire life. Maybe after a year or two I can do rhe OME complete suspension or Deavers with new coils and shocks. Then I can put some bigger tires.

thanks again for all of the input.

 

So I emailed Alcan about my needs and I also found these Deaver 1” leafs which may be what I go with depending on the feedback from Alcan and the price. Seems like these Deavers will work with all of my current suspension which is still new and provide a better ride and I imagine will sit level with my casita trailer hooked up. I appreciate the feedback, I had never heard of either company and like that these worn really lift the truck anymore. Still open to suggestions while I wait to hear back from Alcan.

https://deaverspring.com/product/tacoma-2wd-4wd-6-lug-2005-2020-10-leaf-spring-1-inch-lift-rear/

 

Air bags are great. 95% of the time there is nothing on the truck and it rides as smooth as a car. When the camper slides on, pump the bags to 60, truck stays level.

 

Hhmm I’m having a totaly different experience, I’m used to driving pretty aggressively and my stock sport with sagging springs would soak up everything but sagged quite a lot. Now with bags the feedback from seat is gross bouncy at best ,bottoms out hard when hitting anything substantial. Bags at 5 psi ( min) 2 inches over level now. Any suggestions.

 

I have a 3" lift on my 17 ORDC, added Icon AAL and kept my factory overload leaf, I have an Leer cap and regularly have both 100# + dogs in the bed. I tow a small trailer sometimes, and on rare occasion tow a 5000# boat short distances. I'm ready to remove the factory overload leaf because the rear is just too stiff for everyday driving, feels more like the F350 I used to drive for work.

 

With the AAL, the instructions have you remove the overload spring which I did. That, with the Icon reservoir shocks, produces a smooth ride in the rear. It is not super tight/firm going over small bumps. You won’t lose your soda.

Loading about 500lbs in the bed is noticeable. It sags easier without that overload spring. I have read where people keep the spring in and get less sag, and about a 1/2” more lift, but it makes the ride a lot more firm in the rear and in the longer term you risk damaging the AAL.

I don’t plan on adding my overload spring back because I currently love the way it rides, and it is not often that I haul or tow with it. If I had it rigged as an overland with a bunch of weight, I would have gone straight for new leaf packs.

I got the AAL as a temp upgrade, knowing I will eventually get a leaf pack assembled.

 

Which aal did you get? Are there differences?

 

I am using the Icon AALs