Spring Shop Rear Leaf Springs?

I have a Regular cab 2011 4X4. Like all the other Tacoma's, mine has weak springs. There is not a rear leaf TSB for a regular cab. From what I have read, even if there was a TSB, the new replacement springs are weak. I have considered going the add-a-leaf, but again I believe that would only be a temporary fix, as 3 weak springs and 1 good one will only result in a flattened spring pack later.

I have read many posts and looked at many after market leaf spring packs, Deaver, Dakar. Most result in a 1-1/2 to 3 inch lifted rear and needing replacement shocks to compensate for height change. Costs without shocks are running from $400-$600 plus $200 shipping. I have no desire to off-road, my roads here are rough enough to classify as off-road anyway. I do use my truck often hauling lumber and building materials(building my own home). Larger loads I have delivered.

Has anyone chosen to go with a local spring shop leaf pack? If so, how did you have them built, number of leaves, lift? How did the price compare to the aftermarket prices of $400-600? Did you re-use any of your existing springs?

I thank you ahead of time for your thoughts and input.

 

One guy went through a junk yard and mated his leaf pack with some from an older Ford. He got some lift but overall it was a very cost effective way to beef up the stock leaf pack. It was a First Gen I believe, I'll see if I can find the thread about it. Other than that, no other help from me, sorry...

 

Im pretty sure your talking about Doug he did the ford leaf swap and it turned out pretty damn good. I'm going with 63" chevy springs for my next set.

 

My rear leafs sag bad. I have a 3" rough country on my 06 access cab so I was looking into losing the block and going with a leaf pack. Whats the cheapest way? Sorry to thread jack

 

For what you want and your budget, you will have to have a local spring shop fix you up.
Either they will rework your present springs or build new packs.
Prolly $400-$600 maybe with install included.

 

jflan,

I am looking into one of the local spring shops. There are two respectable shops near here. Both have quoted $300 for them to build and install/align a single add-a-leaf. I may have just a single leaf built and install it myself for cost saving. That way I know I am getting good steel in a spring and not some Taiwanese steel.

As you said, for a full leaf pack, the spring shops are looking at around $600+ installed. But then I know I would never have a spring issue again for the life of my truck. I may look into seeing if the local shops could build similar to a Deaver (8-10) thinner leaves.

Angus,

I am hoping the prices from this post will at least give you a guide and help you makle a decision. I would imagine there are local spring shops near you as well. I would at least talk with your local shops. They can probably build most anything you can think of. None of the answers are cheap. When and where you want to spend the money is the deciding points. Shipping expense will be high($100-200) for any leaf spring packs you purchase from a dealer. So figure that into your decision as well.

 

That seems like a reasonable price for the custom AALs and install.
I can confirm that ToyTec's AALs are by Deaver.
I believe that Wheeler's AALs are by Alcan.
Where they get their steel, I don't know.

I have seen it reported that some of these high leaf count Deaver designs give lift and ride comfort but do not excel with heavy loads.

 

Ill check into that. Thanks for the info

 

My ears must've been burning haha. heres some 2nd gen springs I did for a member using his stock main & secondary springs with the TSB with the addition of 1 Ford spring...

going to wrecking yard tomorrow for more springs to build 3 sets for members

 

These are my rebuilt stock leafs w/2 Ford springs per side

3" gain in lift, fantastic performance on/offroad








doing a little trimming

 

4WD,

What Ford Springs are you using, truck, car?

 

Yep, your ears musta been burning!

And wear your safety glasses when cutting those things! How are you going to keep posting to TW if you can't see?

 

So I can find a spring shop (or 4wd on here apparently, lol) that would build me a new set of leaf springs that would have the same load capacity and what not, but not lift the rear at all, and would prevent sagging when loaded?

 

Sure can. Alcan for one makes custom springs to your specification and I'm sure others do also. They're kinda pricey though. Have you thought about air bags for your application?

 

I have not. I have the 3 leaf pack and my truck doesn't have a warranty, so I figured I could either buy the toyota TSB leaf pack and install it myself, or have some custom ones made. Thing is I dont want the truck lifted AT ALL. The only thing I want is for the truck not to sag when I put things in the bed. Which to be honest isn't all that often.

 

mine are off of a late '80's early 90's Ranger

Ok,ok, stop slappin' me...

firmer susp. with no lift ? Keep main leaf, dump everything else & add 2 springs per side off full size 3/4 ton Ford or Chevy truck...

 

And as far as the factory TSB goes , some guys have good success, most don't & end up with what they had (sacked springs) kinda like slapping one POS on top of another...

 

TSB leafs aren't the greatest either but if you can find them cheap enough, the install isn't bad. To have Alcan make you a custom set of springs would be expensive and would affect your ride. They make springs to your specs such as ride height, daily loading, heavy loading, etc. Air bags will allow you to retain a factory ride and ride height when unloaded, but you can pump them up when you need to tow or haul to prevent squatting. They do not lift the truck and are adjustable to the load you're carrying.

 

Heres an example of good results, it doesn't look like much but here are some OEM 2nd gen springs w/TSB (AAL) & 1 heavy Ford spring per side, this set I put together for SoCal member ReCkLeSsTaCo (Matt) who drives his truck harder than most. After about a year of beating the shit out of them they still look like this....

 

hmmm. My coworker/friend put these on his 2011 fj cruiser. Seemed easy enough. Maybe I will have to look into those! any recommendations?