Tundra leaf springs

ive searched this topic and haven't found anything of merit and I also posted in suspension a few days ago with no reply. sorry if its been gone over . I'm just curious about this. Ive been looking at progressive AAL lately for my truck. while looking most all that ive found also work with the Tundra. What I have learned is that the springs are the same width but the tundras are 5'' longer than Tacoma. I would think this would be sort of an alternative to the Chevy leaf swap as in theory it could bolt in the factory location since the end bushings are the same size. however I have read conflicting info on longer leafs. 1 being that longer leafs (in general) will give a little lift and better range of travel. alternatively the nay sayers seem to feel that a longer leaf actually promotes axle wrap and will also pull the driveshaft from its seal which would in turn require a longer or custom shaft. So in a nut shell can anyone tell me what of this info is factual and better yet is there anyone that has actually tried this with any level of failure or success.

 

the tentative plan was progressive AAL from wheelers but after noticing that all of the AAL options were also compatible with tundra it just struck my curiosity. If a Tundra leaf pack is indeed doable with little if any modification then I was thinking that a pair of those could probably be found in a junk yard cheaper than a brand new leaf pack and achieve the same thing with a higher payload

 

true, I hadn't considered a super stiff ride. I did figure that it would take quite a bit of persuasion to get one mounted though. alternatively a leaf hanger could be relocated to ease that process. the question then would be which one would have to be moved if not both. if both then you would be in the same situation as if you were doing the 63'' chevy springs. in turn would make it more economical just to stay on the original plan of just doing an AAL

 

I'm a noob to lifting. everything ive had until now was lowered via airbags lol so I understand the purposes of stuff like 4 links, moving x-members, uni balls, spindles etc... lifts however I have nothing in the memory bank

 

I used a spring from a S-10 blazer as my AAL from a wrecking yard. It has worked great. Longer leafs give smoother rides(more length allows more distance to flex over), the compensating factor is that AAL have an arch to them that is more aggressive the factory pack that helps gain lift in the pack... Although I like the idea of that additional length of an AAL I am wonder if the arch in spring is more aggressive to handle the weight of the Tundra an would feel stiff in the Tacoma. You can see my link on my lift to get idea how it looked just adding in the additional spring. Oh and I would disagree that longer springs add to axle wrap- other things are to consider is number and thickness in the spring pack too.

 

If the Tundra leaf pack measures longer from the front eye to the centering pin, you'll have problems with your slip yolk. If it's just longer from the centering pin aft, I'd say go for it in conjunction with a shackle flip. I think the design of the @ARCHIVE garage unit would suit this perfectly. Again, that's only if the extra length is from the centering pin back though.

 

This should be doable, but it might end up moving your axle back .5" to 1". The Tundra spring should lift the Tacoma a little, and since lift springs for Tacoma's are longer to the center pin than stock Tacoma springs, it may keep the axle pretty centered. Then you would have to relocate the rear hanger 4-5".
You'd want to make sure the crossmember gets bolted through the frame after hangers get moved.
That being said, the stock Tundra springs don't really flex much better than Tacoma springs, they are thick leaves and fairly lame.
Now you drop Deaver G57 leaf packs in there, you might be knocking on 14" travel, but then you need to relocate shocks and that all sounds like its past your intent here.

Stock Spring lengths for reference:

2005-2016 Tacoma 4wd/Prerunner:
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7662

2000-2006 Tundra:
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7670

 

so 6 years later this thread has been updated
1st gen tundra leafs on a Tacoma..I have a '14 tacoma acess cab and I'll update this thread in about a week after i drive it around a bit.. but as for now not very happy because the lr is about 2" lower than the right.

 

Any updates?

 

I went back to the stock springs. The 1gen tundra springs gives me too much lift. There in the garage if I ever get a camper there going on for sure. I took the springs to the spring shop and they de arched them as much as they could.

It rides excellent. But for me too high I don't like any rake actually I like the rear slightly lower than the front.

 

@Windigo good info, thank you for sharing. Did you use OEM or aftermarket Tundra springs? There is quite the variety of OEM, and several after market. Some of the OEM have Berlin Eyes.

 

I'm pretty sure they were aftermarket I can get the part # when I get a chance to look back at my pictures

 

Also, did you move the front spring mount, redrill the center pin, or run the springs as is? The front eye to center pin is roughly 7/8” longer on the Tundra spring. Obviously the rear hanger needs to be moved.

 

Thanks, I'm also wanting to stay oem height in the rear, looking at 63 swap alternatives

 

we'll lets update this thread again.
I've been on the 1st get tundra leaf springs now for almost a year, the stock leafs went to the junk yard.
I had a leaf spring shop de arch them and make them even. so far so good holds all the weight i can load it with and rides perfect, not to springy and not to firm. hear are some pics from April 2024 very happy with it

 

I used oem tundra springs they were old stock from a spring shop

I did nothing to the springs, bolted to the stock springs mount on the truck front. and rear I had made my own shackle flip



and I'm very sorry i forgot to answer the questions.

hear is a pic of the shackle flip