Tacoma Spring refurbishing

Doug, whats the magic leaf combination for 1st gens? I'm about to pick up some used leafs that have arc in them still and swap a couple Chevy leafs per side. 2-3 seems like the magic number after reading the whole thread

 

Theres a few variables, if your running the stock 3 leaf (I don't count the overload as a spring) the addition of 2 chevy springs per side yields about 3" of lift with an amazing ride that meets or exceeds name brand aftermarket springs, just make sure you cut your donor springs to match the eliptical lengths of the stock 1st gen leafs..

 

Right now I have an AAL in the stock leafs (not even sure what AAL it is) and it rides like hell. Will definitely cut the leafs to match the length. So you're saying to run a stock leaf set with 2 Chevy leafs added and the stock overload removed? Will it be clear which Chevy leafs need to be installed and where? Leaving it as a 5 leaf pack without overload.

 

Do me a favor, take a couple good pics of your current springs, both angles (from shackle end (rear) & hanger end (front) so I can see any warpage or actual bends in main leafs

& when you go to wrecking yard don't be in too big a hurry & grab the first Chevy (or Ford) truck springs you see, look for nice, evenly ARC'd springs, late 70's & thru 80's are good years for donor springs & most importantly CHECK THE WIDTH !!! .. Most chevy springs are almost identical to toyota springs in width, the Fords seem to vary a little...

 

hey guys,
i got a 6" procomp db lift and aal/blocks in the rear. Trying to see if its possible to refurb the rear to my current set-up instead on buying new leaf packs. Has this been done yet? all feedback would help.
thanks in advance.
-Gary

 

Haha, Hi Gary & hey at least you admit the DB lift part....

Take a couple good pics of your current set up & let me see what we're working with & I'll come up with a recommendation for ya...

 

here are the pics.

 

Why are the air springs not a little further rearward and right over the axle?!?

 

thats how the air ride ones sit, your thinking about firestone riderites, they sit over the axles. but those will be gone once i get new leafs

 

Hey Gary from what i see your leafs are actually not too bad, still have a little ARC to them, get rid of that AAL & put 3 Chevy springs to the existing leafs, this'll get you to about 4". BUT !! You'll have to get a flip kit for the rear shackles & you'll need ext. shackles for the 6" you desire

It may not even get quite 6" but it'll be close

 

Wat kinda Chevy will I be looking to get the leafs frm?

 

Personally, I like the '70's thru 80's Chevy truck springs, have had great success with these

 

I'm no engineer, but that doesn't seem smart.

 

OK Doug, I know I PM'd you but I gotta know. What does a fella have to do to get a set that does all the same things as the Expos. Full three inches of lift with that extra carry capacity that they provide.

 

Do I have a pic of your current setup ?

 

Here it is with 572 pounds in the bed

TSB springs. They're decent, but not what I'm looking for.

 

Seems this thread is just what I was looking for. Hard to find that now a days. I have theAll Pro standard leafs and they ride great, provide 3" of lift, Etc, etc, but I bilt a bedrack for my truck an am already seeing why I should have gotten the All Pro Expos. I no longer have 3" of lift and it will only get worse with the addition of my HC rear bumper and tire gate. Any advice on how to strengthen my leafs to hold up all the weight? My leafs are brand new, 12,000mi on them maybe and still look nice, just not holding up to the weight well. Thanks man.