Pondering a "mild" lift

After searching and reading and getting more confused than enlightened, I thought I'd just pose my question here:

My recently acquired 03 Double Cab 4x4 has 75K miles on it. Since it was new it has had a Leer canopy on it, and the rear springs have sagged (I believe) to the point where the truck sits level- the desired look, just a bit low overall. I'm thinking it also needs new shocks to help with recovery and reduce some body roll.

I talked with Darrick at ToyTech and they don't have a rear spring pack, so I could add a leaf which would boost the rear ~ 2 inches. Bilstein 5100s would allow me to lift the front so I should be able to sit close to level given the rear lift. Will the AAL jar my kidneys on the road?

Has anyone done this and do you have a photo of your truck with ~2 in lift? I don't want a taller lift because I'm not planning to add bigger wheels/tires.

If a rear spring pack is better than AAL, where can I find a good pack?

Thanks

 

Hmmmmmm. Good Question. Bump. for someone who knows what they're talkin about.

 

I have an AAL from wheelers, and it's not too bad, over speed bumps it definitely jumps, but on the road it's fine, and when your doing something like camping and your on rough roads, you usually have weight in the back anyways, which gives a really nice ride.

The new leaf pack would be better, but A LOT more, look into the wheelers leaf pack though, it's only about $440 IRC

 

If your leafs are shot and sagging, I would replace them with one that will give you some lift like wheelers Leaf pack that will give 1.5" lift. Bc If you just through a AAL in there It wont give you what you want and it wont ride very good. 5100's for the rear are awsome!

And the Front 5100's are nice for a little lift, and good ride quality. But I would get rid of the TRD coils and get some OME or Eibach coils for lift.( Just my 2cts.... )

 

Thanks for the link- looks like Wheelers has a 5 leaf replacement pack for $459 which isn't too bad on the wallet. It's supposed to give ~ 1.5" of lift to an unloaded truck, so with the canopy these should be a pretty good match. Of course I could step up to $600 for an Alcan pack that sounds much better...damn, why do they do that? ; )

 

If you ever haul weight in the back the alcan's won't do so well, they will sag a lot with the weight, and if you do it often they will wear pretty fast, where as the wheeler's leaf pack, which is actually also made by alcan, has an overload leaf for hauling weight. "LEAF SPRINGS MADE IN THE USA TO OUR SPECS BY ALCAN SPRING"

 

What would be considered "weight"? The canopy probably weighs around 200 lbs and is pretty much a constant fixture. But good info to have, thanks.

 

canopy would be Ok I think, but if you hauling loads of dirt, or lumber, or especially something like a quad or motorcycle your gona want an overload spring.

 

I put Skyjackers 2" lift pack on mine and I like them (Bil 5100s in front). They are a little stiffer than stock, but ride nice and handle a load well. I ended up with about 3-4" of lift, because my stock springs had sagged so badly. So then I had to go to 33" tires, dang the luck.

Before you do the AAL, make sure you check your springs well. The Gen 1s are notorious for breaking leaves in the stock leaf pack. That's why I replaced mine. I noticed they were sagging and when I really looked close I found a broken leaf in the pack. Lucky it didn't fall out on the road and end up in somebody's windshield!

 

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a new spring pack in the rear just for good measure. Will for sure go with Bilsteins front and rear. Still contemplating new coils.
Another thing is that my truck has noticeable body lean/roll on the freeway/curves. I figure good shocks will reduce that to some degree, but am also pondering Wheelers Sway Bar Bushing and Bumpstop Kit. It's only 30 bucks and might further help- anyone done that?

 

Yep! I got the new bushings and it did help a little. But I think the new shocks helped the most.
I would do it just bc its cheap and easy...

 

Don't spend a lot to fix the sway until after you get the new spring packs and shocks. Then you'll know what you really need. The spring packs, new coils, and the 5100s should fix your problem.

 

Great loooking truck. What lift do you have on it? Looks like about 3"?