Best rear lift option for ride comfort?

I'm getting a set of the 3" ICON 2.5 coilovers and UCAs, as well as some fox factory 2.0 resi shocks for the rear. Other then new leaf packs, what exactly are the pros cons of AALs and blocks? I hear this axel wrap being thrown around and it's new to me. I'm running 33s now, but probably going to 35s in a few months. It's a 99' standard cab 3rz.

 

Blocks will be smoother because you're still on soft weak springs with lots of flex.

AAL will stiffen up the springs which will increase their payload capacity and make for a stiffer ride. Some AAL's are better than others.

 

axle wrap is when the force applied to the axle will actually bend the leaf springs. (Example video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXtvzy72Z8Q ) Adding lift blocks (and bigger tires) adds more leverage for the axle to bend leafs causing more axle wrap which actually can affect ride quality especially when power is applied going over bumps. Using factory leaf pack the best option is probably gona be a multi leaf aal..

BUT... why have those nice RR2.0s and keep the shitty factory leafs?

 

Just trying to gather and understand the differences. Everyone says new leaf packs but they're not cheap either. Just for a temporary year or so until new leaf packs. The coil overs and UCAS and shocks are gonna leave me broke, especially after tires. What are some of the better AALs?

 

When I first lifted my truck I had 5100's on the front and 2 inch blocks in the rear. While it did give me the lift i wanted, the truck rode horribly over bumps and I would get nasty shudder if I pulled away from a stop at anything more than a crawl.

I talked to some people and they all said it was the leaf spring wrapping up. I bit the bullet and bought a pair of Daraks for the rear. They ride as good as the stock leaf springs and the axle wrap is gone. In my opinion, New leafs are the only way to go.

 

I think the 3-leaf progressive AAL's (like Wheelers) are the best AAL option, primarily since they have the exact same width and thickness as the stock Toyota leaves and are 'progressively' shorter. The result looks like a 6-leaf pack. Rides quiet and smooth.

 

The wheeler says only lifts it like 1.5" I don't think that's going to be enough. Toytec makes a 2" progressive AAL 3 leaf pack but it's like $240 after new longer ubolts. EMUs are only $140 more. I think I'll just save another month and go with some EMU leaf packs, they raise it 2.25" and will give the best ride, plus I need new leafs anyway, mine are flat as a board.

 

How much are the Wheeler progressive AAL's? I have stock Toyota leaf packs with a 1.5" AAL but they have 243,000 miles on them. The 1.5" AAL has about 40,000 miles on it. I'd like to get a leaf pack that will keep my truck sitting the same exact way it's sitting now. Wouldn't the Wheeler's be the correct choice? I also have 5100's in the back.

 

The wheelers are like $200. Toytec also makes a 1.5 AAL

 

just aswell to leave it stock for now then instead of spending $200 on something you plan to remove.

 

Yah I made up my mind already, doesn't make much sense to go the short cheaper route even though it's not much cheaper. I need new leafs anyway and I don't want to sacrifice any ride quality. For just another $150 kinda stupid not to.

 

That's where I got my 1.5" AAL, was from ToyTec. $200 for the wheelers huh? Ok thanks.

 

This is what I thought you guys were talking about when you brought up wheelers leaf pack that sits 1.5" above stock. It's $459.00

 

NVM. They don't say progressive

 

Yip smart move! Id say go with the dakars as well! They are fairy reasonably priced too for a decent set of leafs.

 

Actually only $160 with the ubolts...I didn't see they came with them when I said $200. I'm still gonna go with the emu leaf packs.

 

Not sure what your budget is, but I got a quote from Alcan springs via email for $600 for a custom pack. It was like 8 (?) leaves, progressive, and built exactly to what I need. They said they could build them for extra load, no load, hard wheeling, weekend warrior, big lift, short lift, and everything in-between. AND they can take into account whatever you plan to haul in the bed on a regular basis (tool box, over sized spare, topper, etc.)

My quote was for carrying a 200lb tool box everyday, weekend warrior wheeling, hauling a small trailer occasionally with minimal squat, and a fairly smooth ride that won't chatter my teeth.

I CURRENTLY have stock replacement leaves with 3 inch blocks and they ride like garbage. The stock leafs are pretty much flat from the get go and hit the overload leaf with the smallest of bumps in the road. This leaves me with a good jar to my spine and a sort of bucking feeling as if I were a cowboy at a rodeo. This is without the toolbox since I was trying to improve the ride for now.

All that said, I know there's cheaper options. But these guys will give you exactly what you want rather than a mass produced pack that could lift your truck 3.25" and billy bob's only 2". Good luck with saving money. I know how hard it is to save for springs when TW provides so many ideas for ways to spend $$$.

 

Soon after I wrote that novel of a response I found this thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-spring-refurbishing.194386/

It's long but full of good info. This is what I'm gonna try first.

 

Ext. Shackles are always an option for 1st gens ! stay away from blocks