New leaf pack or Add A Leaf to Old Man Emu Medium Dakar pack?

My 2007 TRD Off Road came with an Old Man Emu Medium Dakar rear leaf spring kit installed when I bought it used. The pack was installed at 96,000km, the truck now has 170,000km on it. So the leaf springs already have seen about 75,000km worth of wear.

I've noticed over time that the rear leaf pack sits pretty flat, as in it doesn't arch much. When I load it up with my camping gear, or any significant weight (400 lbs), the leaf springs are flat or almost look inverted... It has become clear that the current leaf springs are meant to handle the weight I load into the back.

My question is: Should I simply add a leaf to the existing pack? Should I purchase a new, heavier duty leaf spring kit? Or should I consider a combination of leaf spring/air bag kit?


Considerations:

- Currently, the truck always has a leer 100r on the bed, as well as about 100lbs worth of wood for a platform and a small tool box.

- The only times I load significant weight into it are when I go camping, want to pick up gravel/soil for yard work, or load it with firewood to stock up for the winter.

- I'm considering buying a light weight, 4 wheel pop up camper in the future and want to make sure the truck can handle the weight.

 

Sounds like those springs have reached the end of their useful lifespan. Considering your constant bed load and possible increase in load with the pop up camper, a new leaf pack is probably your best bet. Most aftermarket leaf packs are designed to give a lift as well. If you’re trying to maintain stock ride height, replacing with an OEM leaf pack with an add-a-leaf or airbags is the most economical route. A higher end, aftermarket leaf spring designed with your constant load will provide a much better ride and suspension articulation.

 

No such thing as a lightweight camper for these trucks, lol. Definitely go new leaf pack over the add-a-leaf.

 

I had HD dakars and they wore out quick. I have deaver U402's stage 3 now:

 

I'd suggest airbags/cradles- they work great for varying loads. if that's not enough new leafs. I just installed airbags in preparation to move my 4wheelcamper from my 03 to my 16. the airbags significantly stabilize the ride, and the cradles still allow full axle droop and articulation.

 

Have you tested the ride with the airbags but no load?

I've heard the ride can be quite rough with airbags but no load, even with the airbags set to a low PSI.

 

Your springs have 45K miles on them, they should not be worn out. The OME mediums are rated at 300-600 lb constant load - which is pretty much what a stock Tacoma has. Your canopy plus stuff gets you to 300 lbs. Gear gets you to 500+. I think the flatness you are seeing in the springs is as should be expected. OME heavy spring would get you to 600-1000 lbs if you wanted to go that way. If you go with a bed rail mounted pop up you are looking at ~350# and a bit higher CG - plus gear. A slide in pop up is like 900#s plus - ouch - Lots of ramifications if you go that way. Air bags come in handy for providing a bit of roll stiffness as well as helping with different loadouts. New leaf pack or not you just need to think through your setup and size it appropriately.

 

With a proper air bag system you can run them at 0 psi.

 

Currently have a shell with decked system loaded up, rides really well. I've yet to install the camper on the "new" truck. But I had just HD Dakars in my 03 with the pop up camper, and after installing the airbags it rides night and day better. It felt like the rear end directed the sway/body roll while driving. After the airbag install the truck rides whole- as a unit if that makes any sense. My 03 I roll with 5psi unloaded, and it's not any stiffer than the Dakars themselves, and I'm on load range E tires, so it's stiff anyways lol.

 

I had the same issue. The add-a-leaf was a bandaid. I ended up with Deavers U402 stage 2 leaf springs, they are outstanding.