Leaf springs????

hello there may already be another thread with this question but in searching I couldn't find a whole lot so I was just wondering if they were any good ideas for replacement leaf springs on a first gen I've been wanting to replace mine I do believe their stock so it's really nothing fancy but just wanted to look at my options before I went out and just bought some random stuff.
Any ideas or comments are appreciated thank you

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/suspension.18/

 

Do you want to keep it stock height or lifted?

 

She wants to keep it stock height lol but I'll just get her side rails I think a small lift would be cool, I'm looking into those Bilstein 5100 for the front just don't know about the differences for leaf springs, I don't do a lot of hauling but if I do end up and I need to I know I can add a leaf

 

For stock height, there really aren't a lot of (good) options for springs. General Spring makes some good stock height leafs, but I have heard mixed reviews on them. The other option of course is factor OEM, but those are pricey.

If you want to give it a bit of a lift there are a few more options. Most popular is probably the OME Dakars and they'll give you ~2.5" lift. If you wanted to get a whole new suspension refresh, OME has a kit for ~$1200, all new shocks, leafs, coils. You can customize the coils based on how much your truck weighs (I4 vs v6, aftermarket bumpers/winch type stuff). And for the rear, you can get an extra leaf if you're hauling heavy loads all the time.

Another leaf option is the Deaver J59s. They give you ~1.5" lift, and definitely "better" quality than the Dakars, but they cost more, too (~$700 vs. $300 for the Dakars).

The 5100's for the front are great, but I'd suggest looking into new coils if you end up wanted to lift it beyond that middle 1" lift setting. Any more and a lot of people start complaining about how much stiffer the ride gets (because you're lifting it by increasing the spring rate). I liked the way mine rode on that middle 1" setting. Any higher and you should set teh shock on the lowest setting and let the coil do all the lifting.

 

www.nationalspringinc.com
150 years in the industry.

 

very helpful definitely something to look into one question about the oems if I did get that kid which sounds like a good possibility in my case are the front shocks adjustable like the Bilstein

 

So my experience with General Springs is limited to having installed them and that's it.

The member that's got them on though is really happy with them as he didn't want a lift either but needed to replace his sagging suspension.

Here's his truck -











Easy job; don't pay someone to do it.

 

See i do kind of want to lift it though I was just saying that the old lady is going to be a little bad but she'll get over it

The information is always appreciated though

 

Post pictures of your leaf springs.

You'll "regain" some lift by putting on a new leaf pack, even if they're factory replacements.

Deaver J59, Dakar CS046RA/B, Alcan, and many others will provide lift but will require taller than factory-length rear shocks.

You'll want to lift the front as well otherwise you'll get massive stinkbug.

 

no. Your "adjustment" comes from selecting the proper springs. 880, 881, etc... those will be tuned for a specific weight and height. You can call up a place like Wheelers, or one of the other offroad vendors listed in the vendors section. The actual human you talk to will help get you exactly what you need/want.

Only advantage to the 5100s is it's a cheap way to lift it using your stock springs. If you're planning to get new springs anyway, you should leave the 5100s on the "stock height" setting, anyway (so only the spring does the lifting), so that kind of takes away that advantage for them.

I would consider adding a diff drop kit to your list if you end up with a ~2.5" lift. It's just a set of spacers that angle the front diff down a bit to help so your CV angles aren't as bad. Some people are likely to say they're useless, but honestly they are cheap ($20-$30) insurance, easy to install, and while they don't return your CV angles to "stock", they still make it better.

 

Better to ask forgiveness than permission...

Just tell her that the lifted springs were cheaper than buying new oem springs. Think of all the money you saved!

(which is absolutely true, lol)

 

Did we not have a leaf spring thread yesterday?

 

I just got 3/1 leafs from general springs. love them!
https://www.generalspringkc.com/Default.asp

You can call them and they can talk you direct.

 

But that was some 24 hours ago. That thread has got to be like half way down the front page by now.

 

Similar situation, I would like to refresh my leaf springs but have newer Bilstein 4600s. How bad would it be if I got Dakars but didn't replace shocks?

 

That's not something I would do...

 

I swear... I'm thinking we need to make flow charts for some of this stuff. And just post the flow chart everyday, when the questions are asked.