Dakar Leaf Pack: Bent???

Normal, my first gen Dakars did this too. Dakars are not known to have the u-shaped arc that other springs have like All Pros, for instance. When I added an AAL to mine it helped shape them some but Dakars are known to be soft riding springs and I think this is partly why.

 

You're running 4 extra leafs in your Dakars? Dang.

 

I'm going to ask this... do you know for a fact that you installed them correctly? Torqued after compression?

 

I eventually ditched my Dakars for All Pro Expos because even with the AAL they still couldn't handle the weight of a bed rack + RTT and camping gear. I probably would have had to add at least one more, maybe 2.

1st gen Dakars only come in standard though, not medium or heavy duty like 2nd/3rd gen applications. They rode amazing but I couldn't deal with the sagging (or the squeaking...but that's another story) anymore.

 

Yep. 11 pack. 1000#+, over or in the bed. Need a custom pack.

 

The new dakar EL096 heavy duty leafs are about equal to the AP expos as far as holding weight. I know the old dakars couldnt handle that much of a load without going negative.

 

damn yeah it seems like you 2nd/3rd gen guys get the good Dakar options lol

 

Are those the EL095R medium duty pack?

 

Coolio. I was up to 6+3 on the Dakars on my 1991 with a WilderNest. Just can't wrap my head around needing so many leafs. But then again I didn't get nearly as much travel as I do in my Tacoma.

 

His truck makes me moist.

 

Yes. Torqued when I installed then. Loosened & retorqued after ~5K miles with vehicle weight on them because I couldn't remember if I did it with it on the ground the first time. Rechecked after ~1K miles to make sure they stayed torqued.

 

Your installation sounds fine. Just exactly how much lift are you getting, then?

 

If that's the part number for the latest edition of medium spring pack then yes.

 

Not sure what to tell you then. Here is mine, installed almost a year ago with ~25k on them now. Still have same amount of lift and still ride well.

 

Before lift:
DS 21.75
PS 22 1/8
After lift:
DS 24 1/8
PS 24.5
So roughly 2.5" lift in rear.

 

Looks very similar to mine. How much weight do you have on your rig in that pic?
Weird they reverse arch like this. Seems like a flawed product. I wish mine rode well but they're stiff as hell.
Like you, I have no spare so that's ~50lbs less.

 

Looks completely normal for dakars.

 

That's about what they are supposed to be with an empty bed and minimal cargo. Could use a trim packer on the driver's but otherwise they have positive arch at the end, the middle is flat. I don't see what's wrong.

 

Maybe around 150lbs extra weight. I'm installing the extra leafs here soon.