Actual Moderator with a Tacoma...But Definitely Not a Build Thread

Rough numbers, what is that custom leaf pack going to cost?

 

Gotta debate everything to stimulate quality discussion And I don't think what I had in mind is exactly what you would call a 'budget build'... My thinking with going this route, is that when you have a small truck that has more weight in the rear than most full-size trucks why wouldn't you want to use full-size sized components? Our springs are narrow and somewhat short, so why not go with something bigger? Alcan is willing to do a custom chevy 63" sized full-size pack for the Tacoma, so it seems like a reasonable solution to me. Also not cheap FYI... My 'budget build' idea will cost several G's.
But I'm just another guy on the internet. We can all come up with different, yet still valid approaches to solve the same problem.

Edit: You could probably have deaver make you a custom pack in this size as well, but I wouldn't know... Haven't spoken with anyone over there.

 

I guess what's the point of getting a custom Chevy 63 pack to accommodate for your weight, and have to do a lot of grinding, welding and fabing, when you could just get a pack that is made for the same weight specs and made for the Toyota spring perches? Would save you a hell of a lot of work. Just my thought though

 

Anything can be done depending on knowledge and budget. Swapping in a set of springs designed for a different vehicle will be a compromise compared to a cutsom built oack for the specific vehicle and its weight. A custom longer spring could also be built for same vehicle, after moving spring hangers etc to maximize travel. Why go through all that work if not necessarily going full apeshit as far as travel goes? Jason has syated that he is not going crazy on this build. Why not forgo the leaves entirely and link it? How about just buold a buggy that is way lighter and can pull higher travel numbers? The answer is because that is not the intent of this build.

 

Beat me to it. And less verbose.

 

63" chevy leaf springs are for rockcrawlers, not expo rigs

 

Less chance of snapping the main spring, because it's much wider, and less chance of snapping the Toyota perches. I believe custom perches are being made already, so it shouldn't be that much more work. Anyway, I'm sure Jberry's rear suspension is going to turn out awesome. I was just presenting an alternative.

 

Not at all, but I think a 12 leaf pack from ALCAN with military wrapped eyelet does. Main spring is 3/16" wider and thicker as well. That being said, I'm paranoid as all hell, and am worried about snapping even that, so that's where I'm coming from

EDIT: Stock OEM 4-5 leaf setup doesn't have the strength or progressive qualities needed. That's why custom 12 leaf pack needs to be made.

 

Hey man, sorry I seemed to have pissed you off. Wasn't trying to shit on your build or anything, just thought I might stimulate an interesting discussion. Enjoy your badass new springs!

 

Honestly, when I was swapping in the Dakars, I looked at the rear hanger and wondered if you could invert it, but never really thought about it after that. Interested to see the outcome with this, if nothing else than just to satisfy my own curiosity.

 

I heard chebby 63" mono leaf packs offer the best of both worlds. Load capacity yet great in the whoops. Something to the effect of different spring rate metallurgy composition throughout all 63" of spring. Highly recommended!

 

Why is everyone talking about JBerry's rear end so much.

 

Kinda what I thought.

What's your total weight coming in at?

 

What are the benefits of this over stock shackles? Looks pretty similar

 

It's beefier, hangers are supposed to be 1/4" plate.