Wedge Life

Ah didnt realize you were local. A1 spring in Oakland had some good reviews so I had brought the truck to them. I had a stock u402 pack (not sure which stage, I can try to read the sticker later) which was sagging with the armor on the truck + leer 100xr at the time. They suggested re-arch and add a leaf (I assume they disassemble the pack and re-bend each leaf but I'm just guessing). I dropped off the pack to them (cheaper to remove from the truck myself) to do the work. I had the pack back in a couple of days. Overall, the re-arch + AAL did well for a while but 2 years later and a drifter on the back, the leafs are starting to go a little flatter than I like when loaded out for camping/wheeling.

What pack are you running now? If you don't mind the drive, head over to A-1 spring and have them take a look and see what they suggest and what kind of price they ask. I figured to try the rearch route before dropping more money for a new pack.

 

I need a new pack either way. Its a Dakar HD pack with extra leaf. Its not up to the task of the current weight no matter how I look at it. If I was running a Deaver pack already it would make more sense. I was chatting with @MJonaGS32 and he has a Deaver pack and ran into a similar issue but brought it back to deaver and they did their magic. I think his setup before the changes was for 1200 or so over stock and it was not up to the task. Crazy how much these little things add up.

Also noticed you are S/C. Going to PM you separate.

 

replied.

I should mention, deaver had serviced my pack within the 1st year of having it. They were sagging even with an empty bed. When they took it apart, they said a leaf in each pack wasn't holding up like it should so they replaced it. They warrantied it and only charged me labor to remove / re-install the pack at their shop (i happened to be making a trip to socal so I stopped by their shop). Their customer service was awesome so I'll gladly recommend deaver to anyone looking for a new pack.

edit: adding some wedge content from This weekend


@otis24

 

High Camp at 8000 ft in the Blue Mountains, Oregon. Anthony Lake Ski Area.

Best view of a campsite yet, though the smoke was starting to roll in.

 

Custom Deavers are probably quite a bit better but I’m loving my ATS leaf-pack. Guy on here used to rep them and I got a set from him. Added a leaf when I put the drifter on and am at a solid 3” or so in the rear with HC rear and swingout + 35” spare

 

Nice I remember those. That’s what I need. I would fuss my truck is at least 1” lower if not 2”

 

If you message them on IG @ ats_springs they’ll help you out. I also started a thread on them just since they’re a small shop with a good product at a great price. Sadly nothing in it for me like there was for the other guy

 

Good to know! I was wondering if anyone here had gone to A1. I have a brand new Deaver Stage III pack, and I am already assuming its not going to be enough. I'll wait till my camper is on to see, and then probably try A1 with an AAL before "springing" for a custom pack!
Thanks for the review/info on A1!

 

im running a deaver stage III pack, vagabond drifter, rear swingout, aluminium front bumper and all skids, weld on sliders, the deavers have been handling the weight with no problem, thus far, they are a year old
note - i dont have an interior buildout - truck is also my daily.

 

I am about to order the same set for my truck. Was hoping the stage 3 isn’t overkill for me.
I have a dual swing out loaded, decked box, skids, sliders, alum front bumper and a gfc.
I am about to pull the trigger on a new setup and look forward to it. I am leaning towards Fox or King’s.

 

(Apologies for being strange and old) The pics makes me think of R&H Oklahoma "The cowboy and the farmer should be friends". What did your GFC friend think of the VOD? Any discussions, comparisons, regrets? Or like politics and religion, maybe some things better not talked about among friends.

 

its my fiancee truck, was my gfc until she decided she wanted one also so we could travel with both our kids. found the drifter from @Anderson here we are things we like about both, we both think the drifter is the winner thou, but the gfc suits her needs. the gfc is less than a year old and is outdated, so would be good to get the new hinges ~ and tent design.

i think the deavers stage III will be perfect for you

 

If you can hit up a cat scale and see. I’m loaded with steel skids bumper dual swingout 315’s just a shell at the moment and my truck is 7k lbs. 17-1800 over stock in the rear. stg 3 is 700-1000. Might work for a bit before going flat

 

Thoughts on adding Firestone bags for any additional help needed.

 

if your doing light wheeling or just towing that would work but if your doing any medium to hardcore there’s a bigger chance of ripping the bags.

I’m going to order some custom deavers. After my rear bumper setup and shock relocate it was okay but the weight has taken its toll. I swear my leafs look inverters

 

I think you’re gonna be disappointed with the stage 3s with all that stuff you are carrying. Those decked setups are heavy and then all the crap most people add into them adds up quick not to mention the dual swing and all the stuff that goes along with that.
I’d go custom deavers or check out the other recently discussed options.
Just my .02
My girl gotz booty too

 

I had Firestone airbags for 3 years with my FWC. They never gave me any trouble at all... but I couldn't wait to get rid of them. Once I switched to the Drifter I removed them (my Drifter setup is lighter and I didn't need the airbags with my Alcan springs). Off-road ride quality is terrible with the airbags in my opinion, and I only ran them at 10psi or less. I had the Daystar cradles as well, so the ideal setup for off-road use.

 

I didn't get any Drifter photos this weekend, but I did have a great time camping out of it! Only bummer was the persistent haze from the West Coast fires... but at least we're not having fires of our own right now. Don't know for sure but I think the "cloud bank" in my Friday night photo below was actually smoke from the fires. By morning it had settled down moderately at camp, leading to a very orange and hazy sunrise.

By the way - Drifter sighting! Who did I see coming south on Highway 163 in Utah between Bluff and Mexican Hat? Sunday afternoon. White P/C Drifter on a white Taco. Didn't catch the plates.

 

They rate those stage 3 at 700-1000#
I can’t imagine rolling with more than that in the back.

 

quite easy to get above that:

rear high clearance swingout bumper with 33" spare
wedge camper

- you're already close to the lower end of that weight range, then add -

recovery and camping gear
water
extra gas / propane
beer
food
tools
spare parts

that can easily go over 1k (generically speaking).