Heavy Rear Leafs

I don't disagree that 600lb is a lot for the first gen, but I also don't agree you should just buy a bigger truck.
You can upgrade it so that it maintains drivability, AND keep the size factor.

 

It's kind of a bummer that there aren't more options. It's not an uncommon sentiment, I've talked to several local guys who are also unhappy with their Dakars

 

A agree completely. I see a lot of people with the "if it fits it ships" mentality. Just toss whatever fits in the bed and go driving, and forget about all the added weight from armor and 33's. Very few people actually weigh their trucks (I would be included in that group). There was a thread from a 2nd gen guy who had some very basic mods like skids and bumpers, a bed cover (not a shell), and 33's. He went and got it weighed and IIRC he was within like 100# of GVWR withOUT passengers or camping gear. Then I see the dudes all bro'd out with elaborate camp kitchens, shells, full armor, etc... I know you're nowhere close to that... I know I've got a few extra hundred pounds in armor and bumpers/winch, but that's also why I roll with a 10 pound ground tent.

New Tacomas are 5600. I don't even want to try with my 1st gen (5100). I think curb weight on our DC's is like 3700, new ones are like 4400 iirc. With my '04, I towed a trailer 1000#+ lighter than our current one and power-wise, that's all I was comfortable with since I do a lot of mountain driving (+ towing) at higher altitudes as well, so even at half capacity you're pushing it.

Do I *need* a Tundra? I'll be the first to admit it's more of a want, but that's based largely on a desire to not have to worry about one or more of the max weight capacities. I considered a lightweight "tow hauler" but anything within the weights for my 4Runner my wife absolutely despised (glorified tent with dirtbike storage) and were simply too small for the family. I was told in no uncertain terms we're keeping the Winnie, lol.

Just the weight of a couple full sized dirtbikes (or 1 full size and two kid sized), fuel, tools, and gear is easily 600+ pounds, and then add onto that all the towed weight (which detracts from the GVWR), plus family, dogs, etc... it was simply too close for my comfort levels for a Tacoma to handle.

If there was a step in between that and the Tundra, I'd be all over it for sure. Maybe whenever they come out with the hybrid Tacoma that will add enough power for my tastes but who know when that will happen (2025 maybe?). It's quite possible a Tacoma could do an adequate job, but I'm not willing to spend $40k+ on one only to find out I underestimated the weights. Or I can spend the same or less on a used Tundra and not worry about it at all.


Plus, with how much I make fun of turd gens around here, I couldn't show my face here again.

 

Handle 500lbs constant weight. 4" lift unloaded. 3" lift loaded. I have had 1500lbs in the bed and they still held 3" lift.

 

That's why I mentioned going on a diet rather than jumping to a bigger truck. I hesitated getting my 5th gen 4Runner for a long time expressly for the same reason; I like the smaller size of the 1st gens.

A diet can be free, or at least cheap. "Doing it right" as far as upgrades could mean all sorts of stuff beyond just suspension; more powerful brakes, frame reinforcements, power adders, etc... All just so you can carry more stuff.

Anyhoo, I don't mean to beat a dead horse, just discussing what goes into my decision process.

 

I'm pretty sure my truck is more than 600 pounds in the rear.

I have a set of 130,000 mile Old man emus that were sitting on the timbren load bearing bumpstops I added a few years ago. They were not up to the task of carrying Bodonkadonk any longer or in the first place, actually.

The original plan was to have a set of custom Alcans made. However extensive dental work (2 implants failed and needed to be replaced) sucked up all the money I'd set aside for things.

So, plan B stepped in....Bastard Leaf Pack.

For like $100 I got a set of 1.5" wide leaf springs from a chevy at the junkyard. Using a leaf spring rate calculator we figured out the optimal (slightly better than a guess) combination of springs for a perfect (not really) spring rate.

I ended up removing 2 OME springs and the OME overload springs and replacing them with the chevy overload spring and a single chevy regular spring. I had to cut the chevy leaf to size to so it was roughly the length of the OME springs it was replacing.

I just got back from a 2600 mile trip to southern utah with probably 500 miles of dirt roads including the Maze, Lockhart Basin Road, Elephant hill area and a bunch of other stuff. I'm super surprised how well this worked out.

Next year once I've paid for my full set of teeth I'll get the custom Alcans made. But in the mean time these work surprisingly well.

Edit: as it's been mentioned you're better off with more leaves. This actually resulted in few leaves but for very little money. It's also more of a bandaid than a permenant fix.

 

Right. I've had my truck for over 6 years so I have a good understanding of how it drives, and how the weight has affected its driving performance.
I've gone through many phases of the truck starting off with a ground tent dry food and a igloo cooler with beer. That's when I had no money, just doing the minimum to do what you enjoy - being outside.
Then you change your trip habits , from weekend to multi week trips and the truck adapts. You establish yourself in life and start buying nice things just because you want to.
I am the furthest thing away from the EX honda tuner turned into overlander outfitting the truck with mole panels up the wazoo. Long story short, dieting the truck would be removing the camper. It's just not going to happen. 600 lbs in the rear is completely reasonable with the first gen but it cost money.

That being said the truck drives great and in fact it drives incredibly great for having no front sway. Full boxed frame, whole new front end, new suspension(except leaves), large brakes etc.
If anything I would size my tires back down to 255's and regear.
So that being said, I'm gonna get a Deaver leaf pack. My first gen for having a camper is probably one of the lightest if I had to guess.

 

I've seen these leaf cocktails and I'm too lazy nowadays tbh.
I'll just save a few bucks and get a pack from Deavers lol

 

600lbs is very manageable, I ignore the naysayers. It's really a question of if you're ok with back sag or not. If not, I've heard Deavers are the way to go to get them custom. Otherwise OME Dakars with the overload spring will save some $s.

I actually prefer about 2-300lbs back there for the best ride quality with the Dakars.

 

Yeah idk why I spent the time justifying 600lb lol.
Trucks on 4-5 year old Dakkars.

 

Yeah, they’re going to be much much better. Mine are better than before but not great by any stretch.

 

A brand new set of Chevy 63’s and you can load 3x more stuff! Never know when you’ll need 1800lb of stuff.

 

So if I can chime in.i went and got my truck weight. I went with about 3/4 of my camping load, it was with extra gas, water, tools and camping gear. Full tank of gas 2 people.
Truck weighted in at. 5,460.
I have been running a j59 pack with a Dakar add a leaf to try and help out.
Just got back from a camping trip and was just in time to meet the ups with my new alcan's I think there 500 over stock.

 

IMO, Alcans are the way to go. My current set are spec'd for 800# over, with 3" of lift.

 

I haven't really heard many complaints about Alcan other than the price and build times...

I don't know what mine are specd for weight wise because they're second hand but they're over 10 years old and still holding up.

 

I'm pretty sure that the cost of deavers and alcans is very similar.

 

I think quality is comparable as well

 

This is good weight. I was at 5k with my shell before the camper. I have similar rear bumper.
The nearest CAT scale is far from me but I see another scale not too far from me I can weigh at for $20 so I'll go check it out.


edit: just noticed my drive axle used to be the exact same as yours lol.
Truck prob weighs a bit more now with new camper and frame reinforcements etc.

 

Yeah I think I'll go Deaver since I live about hour away and about 10 min from my office. It's a pretty old school place but was able to talk to the owner last time.

 

It is a truck so many never haul anything!!

talk to the people at Deaver (there close) tell them what you have see what they have to say. Know if you unload your truck it will then be just a little rougher riding

I have hauled 1000 pounds in my truck a few times a week for the last 15 years I went with Super Springs because the weight does not live in the Truck. full time.

I also have a Ford F250 for serious hauling and towing if needed.