OME lift: HD leaf pack or deaver?

About to pull the trigger on an OME lift kit for my access cab trd off-road, but struggling to find a consensus on which setup would be right for my needs. I’ve scored every forum page I can find related to this and there’s been some really helpful information, but I can’t seem to find a consistent consensus, especially for someone with a similar varying weight situation to me. Currently leaning towards 888 springs and the stiffer struts in the front, with HD leaf pack in the back, but wondering if I should look into a deaver leaf pack instead?

Context for the truck and it’s use: it’s primarily a work truck, constant load 200 lbs leer cap in the bed. Planned future upgrades that would add weight are a SSO slimline front bumper, rock sliders and maybe a prinsu rack, but those would be spread out over a few years cause of cost. I currently drive it loaded up with 5 - 600 ish lbs of tools as much as I do driving it empty, and when it’s loaded up it really sags. I’ll also tow 3-5000k a few times a month. Weekend use, my wife and I take it way up North camping and are starting to get into overlanding so don’t want the end result ride to be crazy a uncomfortable ride or unable to perform well off road.

HD leaf springs seem like the way to go, but a lot of people here seem to be saying the HD rides crazy stiff without weight in the back, and can be plagued with squeaking. Also not sure if I should do the 888 springs or the 886, everyone does say they sag over time but can’t find a consistent consensus on those either. Anyone have a similar setup that can share their experience? Would it be wiser to get a custom deaver leaf pack? Any feedback is much appreciated, sorry for such a long post.

 

www.nationalspringinc.com
150 years in the business.

 

cool, I've never heard of these guys before, will give them a call. Thank you!

 

I have a similar situation to yours. I tried dealing with Deaver, but Alcan was a lot more responsive, and I recommend dealing with Alcan. Excellent quality and service.

 

I do not recommend the OME leaf packs - medium or heavy.

I run them, they work for the time being, but they are a waste of money. They will gouge into your shackles during articulation and ruin them if you don't shave the 2nd leaf down, they will squeak if you don't keep them liberally greased and clean, and they will flatten and sag.

I have the medium pack with a Leer shell and spare tire in the bed so no different, and never haul any extra tools, just a couple dogs once in a while. The extra leaf that makes the medium pack the HD is sitting on a garage shelf, and it's needed already from them sagging. To get them quiet, pulled the u-bolts and center pins and slathered chassis grease in between each pack with a putty knife. Spray shit will not work.

Now that they're quiet and I've trimmed them with a cutoff wheel to clear my shackles, they're ok for a little while longer. I have Hammer Hangers and a cross tube to help with the ride so they're tolerable.

In short, I wish I'd have got Deavers. No experience with Alcan.

And also, unless you're throwing a bumper and winch on right away, do not get 888's for your coils. You will not like your truck and your truck will not like you back. A spring upgrade is a drop in the bucket later when you're actually adding the weight, what's another $300 when you're spending thousands.

Good luck and enjoy the experience!

 

I’ll look into them as well. Thank you!

 

Really good advice, thank you for your honesty!

 

Deaver. Avoid ome leafs at all costs.

My ome HDS are coming off next weekend replacing with Deaver stage 2s

 

Glad I got all this feedback, seems they are the way to go. Is it still a good idea to go with OME shocks and coils with a deaver leaf pack? Or are there better pairings in a similar price point?

 

Ome front coils and shocks are fine. They're leafs are just junk

 

Deavers. Had both and Deavers is the way.

U402 stage III

 

Alcan