Helper springs

Hi all,

I have a new to me '06 Tacoma V6 A/T Prerunner. Not a TRD model. Great truck, only 40,000 miles, garaged. A creampuff.

I would love to hear from those with experience regarding helper springs. I typically carry about 4 or 500 lbs of tools in the bed everyday & the rear squats a few inches beacause of it. Then if I load some additional lumber, drywall etc. it really squats badly.
Bed is empty very rarely. The recalled rear leafs were replaced 6 mos. ago.

I see 3 options on the market.

Add a leaf spring
Install airbags
Timbren SES rubber springs

Can anyone relate their experience with any of these products. Pros & cons?

I drive it every day so ride comfort is important.

 

I'm in a similar situation to you. I carry around the same weight in tools as you, maybe a little less, and a lumber rack. My leafs were never recalled. I installed an AAL and it was a good solution for me. Bed doesn't sag and it lifted it about 1.5". If you want less/no lift just remove the overload leaf when installing. Not really any cons... I've heard people say it makes their truck ride rough but mine is pretty smooth. Maybe because constant weight in the bed??

 

2014 V6 DCLB: I pull a 5,000# (loaded) enclosed car trailer w/ a 530# tongue weight. I installed these Hellwig Helpers and found them perfect! Inexpensive, easy to install, absolutely no sag when loaded & no impact on normal height or ride under normal conditions.

 

Another vote for Hellwig helpers.

I don't have them (don't need them) but it would be my choice for what you describe.

 

I have these too.
They work as advertised.
Hellwig has several models of helpers.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.
I like the ease of install with the Hellwig set up. Also that they don't change the feel of the ride much.
Leaning that direction. I'm debating between the 550# & the 1000# kit. Anybody tried the 1000# set up?

 

I like these also and I assume the truck rides jut like stock until you put a load in the bed. For the price there worth a shot. Thanks for posting this.

 

I just ordered a pair of these and just wanted to know if it's really necessary to jack up the truck so you can install them. No problem If I do need to raise the truck, I just need to get my floor jack out of storage.

I read some people had success just putting them on without raising the truck, but was looking for your experience with installation. Thanks

 

I have a set of these, used them for a bit and they work as advertised. After lifting the truck - 1.5 AAL in the rear, I don't use them anymore. I will say the AAL has been better in handling weight, but if you don't want to add height, hellwig is the way to go.

 

I put a pair of the Hellwig helpers on my truck without jacking it up. No problems. I am considering adding another pair on the front end of the springs.

 

I have the hellwigs too and I didn't jack up the rear to install. No issues here.

 

Just curious, what yr is your truck?

 

07

 

Ok thanks, I was a little nervous after I ordered them and saw some reports of the helper hitting the clamp that goes around the stock leaf springs. The fix was to cut it off and I don't want to do that.
I haven't received it yet so I guess I wait and see.

 

The stock leaf clamp is definitely something that is in the way but I have the helper spring installed in a way that it fits around it for lack of better words. I will try to get a pic of it later.

 

I've done the Hellwig helpers and eventually replaced them with the Toytec AAL. The Hellwigs(the 500ish pound ones) were adequate for light loads, easy to install, didn't affect the height, and certainly got me to the destination without riding the bumpstops. I switched to the AAL and while it affected the ride height thus driving me to install 5100s in the front, it has been a much more satisfactory solution. Considering that ease of install is about the same, I should have gone with the AAL from the beginning.

I bought the truck new in 2008, later that year I moved but had to take a couple of side trips with some stops in between.
Completely stock: With between 800-900 pounds in the back(I have the weight tickets somewhere), I probably spent more time on the bump stops during a 1700 highway mile mile trip. Got there and installed the Hellwigs, and left a week later.
With the Hellwigs: Same weight, 6300 highway mile trip, the Hellwig assisted springs kept me off the bumpstops most of the time.

A few years and a few moves later, all with weights near 1K, the AALs with the non TSB spring pack is still good for me. This last 600 mile move I had 1100 pounds of extra weight in the back. While it definitely sagged a bit, it never once hit the bump stops.

I really miss my full size Dodges whenever I move.

 

I have had the Hellwig 990's on my truck since 2011. I have them set kind of tight so the ride is a bit stiffer and ride height raised like 1/2 inch. I accidentally loaded the bed with >1500 lbs of brick for my fire ring and it never even touched the bumpstops on the 30 mile drive home.

The 990's are single piece.

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/load-control/medium-duty-helper-springs/

 

I just installed airbags and LOVE them... it's easy to add air for big loads or the constant 400# in my truck. Towed a trailer with about 4500# and my truck was flat with NO dip in the back end. Keeping 5psi in the rear also helps with the ride on bumpy roads. 2015 long bed

 

That was my experience with air bags also on my 98 Tacoma, but after a few yrs they develop a small leak and chasing it down with soapy water and having to replace one bag caused me to head in a different direction. There great when they work but I think there are some concerns with long term use.
I kept my last Tacoma 18 yrs and I will probably keep this one just as long.

 

I had them on a 97 GMC Sierra and had the same experience.