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Rear leaf spring help - for 700lbs of additional weight

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by king.cong.1119, Jun 30, 2025.

  1. Jun 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
    #1
    king.cong.1119

    king.cong.1119 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Hope all is well, not new to the forum but I am very new to the leaf pack options for the tacoma world.
    This is my story:
    I have a 2021 Tacoma TRD Off-road truck. In February, anticipating on putting a camper in the back, I installed a pair of firestone airbags with daystar cradles in the back. Everything was working great, even with the camper put on since May. The dirtbox overland camper weighs in at around 430lbs. I would say the airbags help holding it up pretty good.
    However, I went on a trip this past weekend on a mountain top for camping, the road was somewhat bumpy, and I experienced excessive bounciness on the rear end of my truck. It will just bounce on every single uneven section of the road, and to be honest, the hit or jostle feels harsh and abrupt. I don't consider it being offroad since the road was paved with dent/potholes (some dirt road section but no rocks).
    Having a history with bad lower back myself, I am looking for a plush and less jostle ride.
    I don't plan on offroad much but prefer to have the ability of driving on dirt roads or uneven roads at some speed faster than 10mph. I did purchase a set of used tacoma trdpro fox suspensions from a 2020 tacoma trdpro.
    The rear weight of my camper plus accessories I put on it is around 700-715lbs.

    My question:
    I have a friend who is 100% happy with his ALLPRO offroad 1000lbs rated leaf (his rig is 2023 tacoma trdpro). I have another friend who I also trust, he is recommending me with the archive garage leafs.
    So I think I am between these two manufactures.
    What weight rating leafs would be appropriate for 700lbs? is the heavier leafs the more stiff and leads to more jostle feeling down the road? Will they work with stock trdpro suspension with firestone airbags and daystar cradles? I don't think I need much lift but I guess additional lift comes with the additional weight rating leafs?

    Any input would be much appreciated, thank you guys, below is some pictures of my current setup.
    IMG_2021.jpg
    IMG_2024.jpg
    DSC05166.jpg
    DSC05186.jpg
    IMG_1922.jpg
     
  2. Jun 30, 2025 at 10:04 AM
    #2
    Crikeymike

    Crikeymike ExitOffroad.com Vendor

    Joined:
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    Mike
    Jax Beach, Florida
    Since you don't have the full 1000lbs on there, I wouldn't go with those same ones your friend has, as it will lift more without all the weight on them. These ones here with the airbags you already have should work well for the combined weight you have.

    https://exitoffroad.com/product/all-pro-2005-2023-3-0-tacoma-leaf-springs-expedition-500lbs/

    Or if you want less lift, these ones from Dobinsons would be right on the money:
    https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...air-for-toyota-tacoma-2005-to-2023-l59-111-r/
     
  3. Jun 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
    #3
    king.cong.1119

    king.cong.1119 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you so much for the response.
    I am leaning towards removing the airbags now since I believe the harshness and bounciness are direct result of using airbags, would you agree?
    I am also thinking 500lbs rating from the all pro leafs would be good but this friend of mine has similar cargo load in the bed of his trdpro taco (the grey one in the picture), and he told me his 1000lbs leafs together with the wheelers extended bump-stop has done great, super smooth, rides similar with his stock Lexus GX460. would the 500lbs leafs behave similarly with just a little less height?

    Thank you!
     
  4. Jun 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
    #4
    Akguy

    Akguy Well-Known Member

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    way up north
    Vehicle:
    23' Silver OR DCSB
    You can call Deavers & they can definitely help you. I used Oregon spring outside Portland, they used to make spring packs for Deavers and they can help too. Both are very knowledgeable about this obviously
     
  5. Jun 30, 2025 at 11:27 AM
    #5
    Crikeymike

    Crikeymike ExitOffroad.com Vendor

    Joined:
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    Jax Beach, Florida
    Yeah, you can easily pull the bags, add the 500lb springs, and see how it is with the weight. Most people that I sell the L59-111-R springs to don't end up needing any airbags. With the right leaf springs in place, airbags aren't needed. Stock leaf springs really don't like the added weight very much, so the airbags would have been working a lot, and the position they're in, it doesn't ride as well as leaf springs can.
     
  6. Jul 1, 2025 at 3:45 PM
    #6
    th3clara

    th3clara Well-Known Member

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    Trevor
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Pro - Army Green
    RIDE Shocks 255/85r16
    The TRD Fox shocks are internal bypass in the front and rear, which means they are position sensitive. If the leaf pack you choose gives you too much lift (anything more than stock) the rear shocks will not ride as well. If you are set on using those shocks I would make sure the leaf pack you choose doesn't provide too much lift. Whoever you buy leaf springs from will be able to help you figure this part out if you give them the weight over the rear axle.

    I highly recommend weighing your rear axle on a scale with a full tank of gas and all of your gear. It's easy to miss some items and be low on how much added weight you have.

    As for brand of leaf springs, I specifically chose Archive Garage HD because the overall leaf pack is thinner (less leaves). All Pro leaf packs are 9-11 leaves thick where as the MD & HD Archive leaf packs are 6 springs thick. Thicker leaf packs will reduce up travel. Reduced up travel in the rear might not be that important for an overlanding setup, but I was focusing on articulation and didn't want to decrease rear up travel.

    I think Archive is able to achieve increased load rating using less leaves because the leaf springs are 5% wider than stock (2.5" vs 2.375"). I found this out the hard way and had to modify my U bolt flip kit plate. The stock Tacoma U bolts won't work either. Archive Garage U bolt flip kit will work.
     
    Saskabush and king.cong.1119[OP] like this.

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