2nd Gen Saagging Issue: Bilstein 5100 with Blocks vs. AAL, or ___?

2011 Double Cab TRD Sport 4X4
About 41,000 miles on the truck
All Original suspension parts
Original 3 leaf pack in the rear (no TSB) that is no longer arched: it sits neutral and flat with the overload spring touching the top spring.

After Installing my Toolbox and adding countless tools into it, the truck has began to sag. The rear end has dropped 2 inches from stock. I know, SHOCKER. Anyways, I am looking for a solution/upgrade to my dilemma. All help is appreciated.

This is my daily driver and I commute about 65 miles daily 70% of which is highway miles, so a smooth ride over a 1 hour long drive 5 days a week is very important to me.

I don't off-road my truck minus getting up my snow covered driveway in the mountains. At most, I drive through the mountains and go camping, but nowhere that requires off-roading.

I DO however, haul large loads a couple times per month. These vary from a utility trailer with 4 channel steel beams, to a dump trailer with a yard of topsoil, to a BBQ trailer for big events, to a half of firewood, to an enclosed trailer full of furniture, to fun stuff like a motorcycle trailer with 3 quads and another one in the bed with 4 guys in the cab.

I want to be able to continue hauling random crap and keep the tools, but I don't really want to compromise ride quality seeing as most of my driving is daily highway commuting. At the same time I am looking to get more towing capacity without bottoming out my rear suspension, and about 1.5-2 inches of lift in the front and back from the toolbox sagging issue to bring the ride height back to factory or an inch or so higher.

SO…
I was thinking
1) the Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Shocks in the Front & Rear Bilstein 5100
2) the Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Shocks in the Front & Rear Bilstein 5125 2 inch block in the rear
3) the Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Shocks in the Front & Rear Bilstein 5125 with an AAL in the rear
OR
4)____________________________________________________________?????
All help, criticism, or advice is appreciated! Thank you!

Here is the truck when purchased Day 1 (no sagging):


Loads I haul:




Tool Box in (Hello Sag ):

 

Well, number 1 the shocks by themselves will do nothing to hel you in the rear, other than dampen the spring rebound. you need new springs, and i suggest a good Heavy duty spring pack, this will raise the rear end a little but will tolerate the heavy loads better. Also, all of your pictures are upside down.

 

Fixed the Pics, thanks!
Would the Bilstein 5100 Ride Height Adjustable Shocks in the Front & Rear Bilstein 5125 with an AAL in the rear help?

I am trying to raise the front and rear of the truck about 1.5-2 inches from its current position and at the same time improve the rear end so I can haul/tow something without bottoming out.
Thanks again!

 

New shocks in the rear will do nothing to help your ride height while hauling, but they will make it ride a little better (in the rear).

I second the idea of a new HD leaf pack that also sits a little higher, or perhaps an AAL if you're looking to do it on a budget. For the front, 5100's at 1.75" will do just fine.

 

yep, blisteins will raise the ride height in the front with no problems

 

Perfect! Thanks

What Leaf Pack would you recommend?
If I were to install the 5100's at 1.75, then I would need a Leaf Pack with about a 2 inch lift?

 

I currently have 5100's in the front set at 1.75" and Wheelers' 2" AAL's on my truck and am quite happy with them. I've only hauled ~1000lbs with them, but found the truck to be sitting almost perfectly level with that weight and it handled very well. I have stock shocks in the rear and wouldn't recommend going that route if you have the money to go aftermarket. I notice there's not enough rebound dampening even when the bed is basically empty. If you want to spend the extra 600$ or so, go for full leaf packs. No experience with those on the Tacoma, so i'll let someone else recommend options for that route.

 

I'd prefer not to spend the $600...
From what I looked up and have heard from y'all, 5100's in the front set at 1.75" and 2" AAL's with 5100's in the rear would be the best way to get the most bang for my buck and solve my "sagging issue". Eh?
Unless I could find a 2 inch leaf pack for a reasonable price..

 

Are you mechanically inclined?
my personal preference when it comes to leaf springs on toyotas is the OMD spring mod.
You can make (or have made) a set of springs that are just as good or better than other aftermarket springs.

The OMD mod is taking your springs, and replacing/adding springs with ford/chevy/dodge springs so you get a good ride, without sacrificing load capacity.

 

That looks like a good option too. Does "4WD" do the springs himself?

 

Yep, he does them himself, or he can get you everything you need and you put it together, or he'll walk you through building them yourself.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me or Doug (4WD) via this thread or PM.

 

I put firestone airbags in the back of mine. Carrying heavy stuff? add more air... Not carrying heavy stuff? let out air.