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    Quick Links: 2nd Generation - Rear helper shocks? Best Short antenna on the market My Doors Make So Much Noise! Camera mount Differentials and transfer case gaskets How's this price for a lift kit?

Torn between leaf springs!! Help!!

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by abqnurse80, Aug 22, 2017.

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  1. Aug 22, 2017 at 4:29 PM
    #1
    abqnurse80

    #1
    abqnurse80 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So about to pull the trigger on some new leafs. Currently 2012 Baja sitting on some brand of a 3 pack aal. Squeaks, like rusty, and over all stiff. Occasionally carry loads of a few hundred pounds, but mostly just some tools and a spare in the bed, maybe about 150lbs. Plan on steel bumper rear, and currently have steel rci sliders. Will be upgrading to fox 2.5 ex coils with dsc in the front, already have icon ucas, rear will have fox 2.0 ex res with compression adj 985-26-117. Deciding between skyjacker softride, wheelers 8 pack, darkar el095r, or custom alcan 8 pack. Looking for a softer ride and flex. 80 road, 20 offroad. Mix of high and low speed . Would want around 2.5 inches of lift,zoya's give or take. Just asking for recommendations, advice, thank you for any info!!!
     
    abqnurse80, Aug 22, 2017
    #1
  2. Aug 22, 2017 at 10:00 PM
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    TacoZim

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    TacoZim Well-Known Member

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    Just kind of briefly skimmed your post, but have you looked into All Pro's leaf packs? I bring them up cause I think they're still running a 25% sale now. Just another option to throw in the mix.
     
    TacoZim, Aug 22, 2017
    #2
  3. Aug 22, 2017 at 10:45 PM
    #3
    desertrunner24

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    desertrunner24 Well-Known Member

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    Some
    All pro expo or Dakar are your best option. If you want a soft ride though deavers j66 pack but won't give you a full 2.5" of lift without different shackles
     
    desertrunner24, Aug 22, 2017
    #3
    Ritchie likes this.
  4. Aug 23, 2017 at 12:29 AM
    #4
    Buckwheat893

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    Buckwheat893 Well-Known Member

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    Love my dakars. They ride like a dream, no bucking over bumps, no violent jarring, they seem to soak everything up and have awesome travel. Loaded they feel more like a factory leaf on a full size truck, but seem to maintain height instead of sagging. I got exactly 2.5" out of mine, they are the el095r you mentioned.
     
    Buckwheat893, Aug 23, 2017
    #4
    Yager78 and musher like this.
  5. Aug 23, 2017 at 12:51 AM
    #5
    crazysccrmd

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    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    You'll want to go with the EL096R kit if you decide on Dakars. The 95Rs will only give their full rated value with no weight on the truck. With a load of about 200lbs in the bed and 125lbs in the backseat and roofrack I got 1.5" of lift from the 95R kit. If you intend to regularly carry 150lbs and add a steel bumper you will want the heavier spring rate of the 96R kit.
     
    crazysccrmd, Aug 23, 2017
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    musher likes this.
  6. Aug 23, 2017 at 5:58 AM
    #6
    abqnurse80

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    abqnurse80 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Can you not get the 95s then the additional leaf to basically make it the 96?
     
    abqnurse80, Aug 23, 2017
    #6
  7. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:07 AM
    #7
    Pigpen

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    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    Access cab toolbox/ dog bed with seats and headrests deleted, waterproof TRD seat covers, yellow wire mod, diff breather relocated to tail light, engine block heater, Leer topper with Yakima tracks and rack, Yakima rack on cab, Ride Rite with Daystar cradles, CBI hidden front hitch, wired for winch front and rear Warn quick connect, Warn x8000i on external carrier, sway bar delete, trailer plug relocated to bumper, Pelfreybilt IFS and Mid skids, ECGS front diff bushing, ARB CKMA12 compressor, 255/85/16 Backcountrry MT 3 load E tires on stock steel rims, Up2NoGood heated mirror kit, Husky X-act Contour front floor liners, Northstar AGM 24F battery, Pelfreybilt bolt on sliders with kickout and top plates, TRD Pro headlights, Depo smoked tail lights, Energy suspension body mount bushing kit, OME Dakar leaf packs with AAL, Billstein B110 rear shocks, OME 90021 front shocks with 885 coils, SPC LR UCAs, Up2NoGood 2wd low range mod, 4 Wheel Campers Grandby slide in camper
    That's what I did. I wish I hadn't. I regularly carry 500-600 pounds in my bed. It rides nice, but sits higher than I would like.

    I have a 3" lift up front. With all that weight in the rear, I still have over 2" of rake. I have driveline vibes too. Even with the CB drop. I'll be buying a single piece drive shaft. Lifting these trucks is like throwing a gremlin in a pool.
     
    Pigpen, Aug 23, 2017
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  8. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:13 AM
    #8
    abqnurse80

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    abqnurse80 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That it is.. forgot about the Allpro springs... 3 inches seems a bit higher than I want to go... Really leaning twords the darkars... But are they flexible enough?
     
    abqnurse80, Aug 23, 2017
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  9. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:27 AM
    #9
    VangaSTL

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    VangaSTL Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, I have the 95s and it's great for me because my bed is usually empty, sometimes I have a tool bag but not much. If you plan on getting steel bumper and still hauling, you'll definitely want the 96s.

    Yes, if you purchase the 95r and then the
    $44 EL46XL EXTRA LEAF SPRING
    EL46XL, it would be the same as the 96r but it would be cheaper to just buy the 96r up front. I also recommend investing in a good bushing set. I got the Energy Suspension bushing kit and have been very happy with it.
     
    VangaSTL, Aug 23, 2017
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  10. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:29 AM
    #10
    ChadsPride

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    ChadsPride Tacoma Owner & Enthusiast

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    Yes, offloading enthusiasts like them for their ability to handle a load and have the desired flex.
     
    ChadsPride, Aug 23, 2017
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    Masshole_And_His_Taco and abqnurse80[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  11. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:31 AM
    #11
    geekhouse23

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    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    Dakars with the AAL shackle flip and 12" shocks. GREAT setup for lots of weight and flexes like crazy. Rear steer bumper soon!

    IMG_5525.jpg
     
    geekhouse23, Aug 23, 2017
    #11
    hoverlover, FJ to Taco, abqnurse80[OP] and 2 others like this.
  12. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:35 AM
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    3pooches

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    3pooches Well-Known Member

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    I have 95s and love them. Carry an occasional load and pull a 12' trailer with toys and they have been great. Figured I'd insert the extra leaf if I do a bed rack and gear in the future
     
    3pooches, Aug 23, 2017
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  13. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:38 AM
    #13
    Coot83

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    Coot83 DORKEL NATION

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    My buddy @90yota just swapped out his dakars for some all pro leafs. From what I have heard, dakars are solid, but All pro leafs might be the better option.
     
    Coot83, Aug 23, 2017
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  14. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:40 AM
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    VangaSTL

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    VangaSTL Well-Known Member

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    BLASPHEMY! BURN THE WITCH! :bananadance::bananadead::bananadance::oldglory:
     
    VangaSTL, Aug 23, 2017
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    Yager78, 3pooches and abqnurse80[OP] like this.
  15. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:40 AM
    #15
    abqnurse80

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    abqnurse80 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Don't you have to do the shock relocate with this? Looks awesome!!
     
    abqnurse80, Aug 23, 2017
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  16. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:41 AM
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    Coot83

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    Coot83 DORKEL NATION

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    I will be honest here, SUA is my game, but hopefully my buddy can chime in on his thoughts.
     
    Coot83, Aug 23, 2017
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  17. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:41 AM
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    geekhouse23

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    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    Yes. I have the BAMF kit
     
    geekhouse23, Aug 23, 2017
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  18. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:41 AM
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    abqnurse80

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    abqnurse80 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, allpro vs darkar... Hmmmmmmm
     
    abqnurse80, Aug 23, 2017
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  19. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:42 AM
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    Coot83

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    Coot83 DORKEL NATION

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    Yep, which he likely has the BAMF brackets. I would recommend getting the archive relocation brackets as they are bolt on so no guessing in the bracket to get them to fit. When I got my 12s on, Bamf had jack shit for references and half of the install was understanding what was the proper angle. Also with the archive you can jam 14s in there I believe although that might require a shackle flip as well.
     
    Coot83, Aug 23, 2017
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  20. Aug 23, 2017 at 6:42 AM
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    greeneggsnspam

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    greeneggsnspam ಠ_ಠ

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    Too poor to list anything interesting.
    Dakars are great with a load in the bed.

    If you're into DIY and handy with some tools, how about the Chevy 63 swap?

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-chevy-63-leaf-spring-swap.377756/
     
    greeneggsnspam, Aug 23, 2017
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    geekhouse23, Coot83 and abqnurse80[QUOTED][OP] like this.
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