Rear lift experiences.... blocks, aal, leafs

This question is sort of directed to those that have tried multiple rear lift strategies. Of course I have searched but am looking for a compare and contrast with different options.

Looking for about a 1.5-2” rear lift on my dcsb 4x4. I already have the tsb factory leaf pack. My truck actually sits pretty level stock, so I need almost as much lift in the rear. Front I am going with 5100 and HS coils. Ride I want to keep stock or near it. Some light off road but mostly mall crawling.

So looking at the rear options, there appears to be no clear cut winner. Blocks are cheap and will maintain factory ride, but will increase axle wrap. The truck already wheel hops leaving the line hard so I don’t think that is the way to go.

AAL, seems like a better option, but will add to spring rate and may also increase axle wrap. I am worried the ride will be worse, even with a progressive aal.

Springs seems like the best option but are pretty expensive considering the application and there are so many options. Seems like a good chance I could overpay for something I am not happy with.

A couple of things I have heard of but admitidly have no experience is re-arching stock springs(?) and maybe a shakle flip?? Again no idea if this makes sense for me. Either way I know I am not breaking new ground, so let me know your thoughts, especially if you have tried multiple options.

Thanks

 

Ive had stock we all know that is, ran icon 3 leaf aal for a bit lifted 1.5 out back nice flexy ride but terrible sag with real weight, now have dakars ride is firm but great with weight.

 

Did the aal change the ride or not really?

 

Had a single deaver aal and now dakar’s. The aal definitely doesn’t hold weight like changing out the whole pack, but it’ll get you 1.5”. If you are going to add any weight, bed rack, tent, canopy, you’d be better off just getting Dakar’s or some other aftermarket leaf pack.

 

Ya it did improved over feel of the back half of the truck smoother over bumps an felt more planyed on takeoff.

 

Does the aal help with the wheel hop and axle wrap?

 

Ya it did.

 

I guess for what I am doing the aal makes the most sense. However, how can I tell if my stock springs are still good? They are the tsb 4-leaf packs. They sit flat at ride height, as there is no arch. Is this normal?

Thanks

 

I am researching options to lift my 2004 DCSB TRD (so, 1st gen). I EDD with 500lb of survey equipment, tools, & gear in the back. Lots of highway driving, construction sites, then gravel / dirt roads, and mountain tracks. When in the foothills & mountains west of Denver... the closer I can drive to what I have to measure or set... the less humping of equipment I have to do.

I think I am feeling every bump now... so pretty much anything is going to be an improvement.

Money is really tight for me right now. I might be able to find the coin to go full OME, which is what I'd like to do... but I need to consider less expensive alternatives. Ideally, I can makes some changes / upgrades which enable me to work towards full OME with Dakars/D43XL in back without having to spend twice (e.g. go with Bilsteins now, sell later when switching to Nitrochargers).

That said, my preference is for 882's in the front, either with 5100's or Nitrocharger Sports (90004's).

Questions:

1. Do I have to unload the entire truck and take some measurements and/or photos?
2. Can I get away with some sort of AAL in the back with a 500lb load?
3. Should I consider the that Wheeler's carries?
4. The cost of the Deaver's kind of forces me away from OME, though. Is anyone running 882's in front with 5100's all around plus the Deaver's?
5. But for the cost of #4, I might as well just go full OME from the start, no?
6. Is anyone running Deavers in the back with Nitrocharger's all the way around and OME coils up front?

I suppose I could run 5100's all around, with front 5100's set at an intermediate lift, and Deaver's in back. Then eventually swap out the 5100's for all Nitrocharger's and 882's in front. (Hence question #6.) Thoughts?

But if I were to run this last setup (5100's + Deavers)... why not just run 5100's with Dakars & D43XL in the back, if I'm eventually wanting to go full OME?

 

On my second gen, I've run 5100's in the back with the original leaf pack and Deaver 3" AAL, and also with TSB leaf pack and 3" Deaver AAL. With a 500lb load of scrap in back... Serious sagging, even with the TSB leaf packs. I'd shy away from the AAL with that much weight.