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Which Add A Leaf is best??

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by kingston73, Nov 6, 2009.

  1. Apr 16, 2010 at 10:10 AM
    #21
    YotaDan

    YotaDan Dan

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    The "Other" aals have Square Cut Ends (hard on the rest of the pack) and are usually much too thick of material. They are also generic aal for use on a number of makes and models of vehicles. Both our Single AAL, and 3 Leaf AAL kits are designed for your Tacomas. They feature Diamond Cut Ends, Anti-Friction pads and fit between the clamps on you factory springs. No removal of the factory clamps is required. The single AAL kit is great for those who do use their trucks for work and need some extra stiffness to help prevent sag. The 3-Leaf kit provides a great smooth ride that works great both on and off-road. Both kits provide approx 1.5" of lift.
     
  2. Apr 16, 2010 at 10:21 AM
    #22
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    x2 this no squeaks, improved load carrying, not a bad ride quality just a little stiffer. Not sure on flex tho
     
  3. Jun 13, 2011 at 10:45 AM
    #23
    kills4kiks

    kills4kiks Well-Known Member

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    with the fab tec aal did you need new hardware like U-bolts, center pin, etc or did it work with all the old hardware?
     
  4. Jun 13, 2011 at 10:56 AM
    #24
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    In my case, I just re-used all the original hardware but that was because it was all still brand new. I had just had the frame replaced and had brand new rear leaf springs and hardware, if it had been the old stuff I would definitely have bought new hardware and u-bolts. It has now been over a year with my fabtec's and no problems at all. No squeaking, the teflon tape I used has held up well, and the AAL's themselves have not flattened or harmed my stock springs. If you have the money it'd probably be best to go with the wheeler's long AAL or the 3 leaf pack, but if you're on a tight budget the Fabtec's aren't terribly bad, I like em.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2011 at 9:39 PM
    #25
    kills4kiks

    kills4kiks Well-Known Member

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    Sweet i have mine siting in my truck waiting to get put on!
    I'm thinking about putting them on this weekend hope the ride doesn't get too stiff -_- we will see haha... i just got tired of hearing my truck bottom out and slam into those bump stops.

    where did you put the Teflon tape in your install? like inbetween the leafs?
     
  6. Jun 17, 2011 at 4:10 AM
    #26
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I put about 4 layers on each end, where the AAL will rub against the OEM leaf the most. I can see where getting an AAL with the anti-friction pads already installed would be a good thing, but the stuff I put on has lasted just fine with no hint of squeaking at all. As for the ride, it will really depend on what you have in the back. When I first installed mine I had a big, heavy cap and the ride actually improved. I took the cap off and put a tonneau cover on and it's a little bit harsher, so I tied in 2 sandbags and the ride has smoothed out again.
     
  7. Jun 17, 2011 at 4:31 AM
    #27
    JonnyBb

    JonnyBb I have to return some videotapes

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    x2...some people told me the ride was stiffer with a single AAL, so i bought a wheelers 3 leaf. running it with the overload still installed and i have absolutely no regrets.
     
    hueman562 likes this.
  8. Jun 17, 2011 at 5:01 PM
    #28
    Anthony250

    Anthony250 Ex Fabricator

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    I have the Fabtech AAL too , its nice. I got 2 inches of lift!
     
    Thoy likes this.
  9. Jul 23, 2011 at 1:08 PM
    #29
    kills4kiks

    kills4kiks Well-Known Member

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    I finnaly instaled my Add A Leaf and ... I LOVE it! Pluss i droped the bilisten 5100s and threw in some ProComp 3000 struts.... Rides sooo Smooth on and off road Especialy with a load in the back. Highly recommend it!

    P.S. when you buy struts for the rear dont get the expensive gas charged ones ... our truck beds are so light you dont need them.

    ProComp 3000s PERFECT!
     
  10. Jul 23, 2011 at 1:11 PM
    #30
    tacokid09

    tacokid09 it's about the off-road miles

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    icon progressive AAL.
     
  11. Feb 19, 2014 at 7:45 PM
    #31
    Chilli Taco

    Chilli Taco Senior Member

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    Toytec 1.5" AAL for TSB leafs.
     
  12. Feb 19, 2014 at 7:46 PM
    #32
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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    Wheelers heavy duty 3 leaf AAL.
     
  13. Mar 7, 2014 at 12:12 PM
    #33
    Bosshoag

    Bosshoag Well-Known Member

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    anyone with any of these add a leafs whether progressive or single in a 2nd gen taco, have any drive line vibrations?
     
  14. Mar 7, 2014 at 4:03 PM
    #34
    jdkilroy

    jdkilroy Well-Known Member

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    anyone know if I can add to the Deaver J59 8-leaf pack ?

    I wouldn't want a stiffer ride than I got with that set of springs but the lift is soon lost with any kind of a load in the bed and then I'm running around with that Cali-lean, nose in the air look.
     
  15. Oct 18, 2014 at 3:55 PM
    #35
    flatblack

    flatblack Well-Known Member

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    So...

    Progressive add-a-leaf vs. a single leaf
    What are the pros and cons
    Is ride stiffness really the only factor?
     
  16. Oct 18, 2014 at 4:17 PM
    #36
    flatblack

    flatblack Well-Known Member

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    thanks for the reply!
    so, the progressive pack is less stiff and stronger
    my main concern with wanting to add-a-leaf is so I can throw more than 30lbs back there without hitting my bump stops; so, that's a big plus for me
    any pros with the single besides saving $$?
     
  17. Oct 18, 2014 at 4:29 PM
    #37
    flatblack

    flatblack Well-Known Member

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    Haha! That's a bit of an exaggeration; but, yes, I do need new shocks; that's part of the plan
     
  18. Jan 14, 2017 at 7:39 AM
    #38
    Silver taco 09

    Silver taco 09 Well-Known Member

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  19. Jan 14, 2017 at 8:40 AM
    #39
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Supercharged, AEM FIC/6, Meth Inj, ION Alloy's, Radio & Phone steering Wheel controls,Fabtech AAL, Billie's wrapped with 880's , Tundra big brake conversion, bully bars and Pioneer DDin Stereo/dvd with exterrnal usb ports. 290K and going strong.
    I'm running the Fabtec single AAL. It was 2 inches to long in the front when I tried to install. It ended right on top of the clamp for the spring pack. I used a chop saw and cut 2inches off then smoothed the edges off.
    (yes I tried both directions)
     
  20. Jan 14, 2017 at 10:36 AM
    #40
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    I have the 1.5" ToyTec AAL w/ the overload left in & Icon 2.0 smooth body shocks. It sits level w/ the 3" lift up front empty. Rides just fine, even with a bed full of firewood. Although having a D.C. My bed is shorter than a normal size bed. It does sag in the back w/ the bed full. But has never hit the bumpstops. We all know AAL's are just a band aid compared to replacing the whole leaf pack. I also have 252k on the original leaf pack. So it is about time to replace. I don't haul much that often though. So that's why I haven't spent the extra coin for new leaf packs. Here's a picture of it w/ Red fir & Cedar in the back.

    IMG_2163.jpg
     

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