Rear suspension tweaks in preparation for towing

Hey so my current rear suspension is the stock off road leaf pack with the overload replaced with the stage IV Icon add-a-leaf and the 2.0 Icon bypass shocks. I am considering either a) upgrading to the AP Expo leaf pack or b) installing an Air Lift kit in addition to the present set up. Of course I could really squeeze my wallet and do both--but I wanted to get opinions from anyone who's tried either set up???

 

What are you towing? More importantly, what is the tongue weight of what you're towing. If towing is all you are worried about and you are otherwise satisfied by your truck's rear end performance I would consider just doing helper air bags. If you are ready to open the can of worms known as lifting then perhaps the all-pro leafs or another lift pack will serve you better.

 

Yea I've already done the stage 4 Icon set up with a shackle flip out back for lift action and tire size upgrade and I think swapping the leafs will improve the towing performance as well as give a boost off road. I'll be towing a 4Runner trail rig on an equipment style trailer.

 

I'm not particularly sure what an Icon Stage 4 setup entails (those words don't mean too much nowadays with every company making arbitrary stages for things). But I do know that Icon being a boutique suspension company generally pairs its leafs and shocks accordingly and changing part of the equation may produce a harsh, or even worse, unstable ride from either undervalving or overvalving of the shocks for the heavier duty leafs. Matching shocks and more specifically shock valving to a set of leafs can be time consuming.

Normally I wouldn't be too worried about this but because you already have a rather well paired system I believe if you aren't ready to mess around with things you'll likely be disappointed when you put the stiffer, more arched all pro leafs in. Have you given any thought to building your own leaf packs, perhaps even a couple thin junkyard leafs could stiffen up the rear a bit and you could avoid getting too much extra lift by removing the overload (provided you have adequate and properly adjusted bump stops). Once you get the leafs the way you like them (generally by spending less than $50 cutting and fitting junkyard leafs) you can then adjust the shock valving (pretty sure Icons are revalvable, if not you could upgrade to Kings).

Before doing any of this, I would just pull the trailer (loaded) and feel if it causes too much rear sag or sway when on the highway. Towing performance while maintaining offroad performance is tricky because they require very different suspension characteristics. Hopefully I have provided some things to keep in mind as you search for a solution.

 

Firestone ride rite airbags may be the best choice. (or another brand) I don't have them, but have researched them extensively. They may cost $275 +/-, and add daystar cradles for under $100 I think. New leaf packs are $500+ I do believe. Good thing about airbags is fully adjustable to your needs.

 

Thanks guys!