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Helper spring installation

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by BountyOR_VF2, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. Aug 11, 2017 at 10:32 AM
    #1
    BountyOR_VF2

    BountyOR_VF2 [OP] "If in doubt, flat out!"

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    are there any type of hellwig helper spring for the Tacoma 3rd gen can be install without removing the original u bolt and bump stop?

    And if indeed you have to remove the original u bolt, will that require alignment after the job?

    Thanks
     
  2. Aug 11, 2017 at 10:39 AM
    #2
    RIDERED67

    RIDERED67 Well-Known Member

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  3. Aug 11, 2017 at 2:05 PM
    #3
    Texoma

    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    I know advance auto parts sells a set of helper springs that you can install without even taking the tires off of the ground.
     
  4. Aug 11, 2017 at 2:08 PM
    #4
    Texoma

    Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

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    A bunch a cool stickers, a bada ass MetalMiller Tx Longhorns grill emblem painted Hemi Orange, JBA long tube headers with o2 sims, Diff breather mod, Red LED interior lights, Fancy head unit that plays ipod n movies, Also DIY install factory stuff like, factory cruise control, factory intermittent wipers, OME nitro struts with 886x springs and toy tec top plate, JBA high caster UCA's for better alignmnet and dey beefier too, Old Man Emu Dakar leaf springs in da rear with the gear, U bolt flipper, Ivan Stewart TRD rims with 33" K Bro 2's, some bad ass weather tech floor liners so I don't muck up my interior, an ATO shackle flipper for mo travel in da rear wit the gear, also super shiny Fox 2.0 shocks back there too, all sorts of steal armor for bouncing off of the rocks like demello sliders, AP front skid, trans skid, n transfer skid, demello gas tank skid, and a tough as nails ARB bumper with warn 8k winch, I'm sure there's more
    DesertTaco4x4 likes this.
  5. Apr 16, 2018 at 7:47 AM
    #5
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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    bringing this back up... has anyone installed helper springs like the one mentioned above? i am about to put a camper shell on my truck and i already have a Decked drawer unit. i want to maintain factory rake as close as possible when unloaded and level when loaded. i think these are the way to go?
     
  6. Apr 16, 2018 at 8:00 AM
    #6
    hikerduane

    hikerduane Stove & lantern collector, retired

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    Heck, I've had 40 bags of steer manure blend @30 lbs. each in my truck, faint sag was all if noticeable, drove great, gas mileage was still over 20 for the 110 mile drive home. Don't see how helper springs are needed unless going over stock ability.
    Duane
     
  7. Apr 16, 2018 at 9:26 AM
    #7
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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    Anyone else have any insight? @BountyOR_VF2 what did you go with?
     
  8. Apr 16, 2018 at 9:30 AM
    #8
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    search the2nd GEN forum lots of answers on Helliwig helper installs and also AMAZON reviews for them, from what ive read they work great and are easy install.
     
    FlyFisherCJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Apr 16, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #9
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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  10. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:02 AM
    #10
    trazerr

    trazerr Well-Known Member

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    BillsSR5 likes this.
  11. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:10 AM
    #11
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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    upload_2018-4-16_11-9-30.jpg

    https://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-550-...&qid=1523898522&sr=1-1&keywords=hellwig+ez550


    found this when i looked up the EZ550 spring on Amazon... I might need to reach out to Hellwig and see if they have updated the spring since this was 1.5 years ago....I will let you know what I find!
     
    BillsSR5 and tomwil like this.
  12. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:21 AM
    #12
    trazerr

    trazerr Well-Known Member

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    Oh, good catch! If you do reach out to Hellwig please ask about the 990’s as well. I’d probably get those over the 550’s i think.
     
    FlyFisherCJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:24 AM
    #13
    BountyOR_VF2

    BountyOR_VF2 [OP] "If in doubt, flat out!"

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    I bought the Hellwig helper spring for Gen 3 Tacoma. 980 vs 981 basically the same, the only different is the U bolt on the 3rd Gen. I don't do extreme offroad so this setup is actually good for city and weekend trip.
     
    trazerr likes this.
  14. Apr 16, 2018 at 10:30 AM
    #14
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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    ^^^ Thanks! I'm right there with you as far as off-roading. I will be reaching out to them within a day or 2 to see what they recommend for my specific application and post results here.
     
    BountyOR_VF2[OP] and trazerr like this.
  15. Apr 16, 2018 at 3:09 PM
    #15
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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    So i just got an email back from Hellwig Products and they recommend the 980 spring for our trucks. Looks like that is the rout I will be going. The EZ550 spring does not work with out leaf packs.
     
    trazerr and BountyOR_VF2[OP] like this.
  16. Apr 18, 2018 at 7:48 AM
    #16
    trazerr

    trazerr Well-Known Member

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    They gave me the same response! Cheapest I have found them for so far is around $150 or so. That does not include shipping though.
     
  17. Jun 26, 2018 at 8:13 PM
    #17
    salty taco

    salty taco Distinguished Member

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    I have them on my truck since I added topper and rtt and load the back with a bunch of camping gear. They appear to maintain factory lift. Can’t say for sure because I haven’t been on level surface to measure.

    The ride is fine on pavement but on rough fire roads it felt like I was bottoming out.

    I’m also not to happy about the fit. The u-bolts for tensioning the helpers didn’t fit perfectly and the back corner on the driver side was rubbing the frame so I had to sand it down.
     
  18. Jun 26, 2018 at 8:29 PM
    #18
    salty taco

    salty taco Distinguished Member

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    Here are some pics. The black paint on the frame is where it was rubbing. The u-bolt didn’t fit great it’s slightly angled.

    On the bottom the bracket crushed that plastic thingy.

    Another side view
     
  19. Jun 26, 2018 at 8:32 PM
    #19
    salty taco

    salty taco Distinguished Member

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    One more pic to show the lift but my driveway is not flat
     
    Furcata and ace7196 like this.
  20. Jun 27, 2018 at 7:01 AM
    #20
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

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    I thought only the 980's fit our truck?
     

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