Best Leaf Springs & Why?

About ready to put new leafs on and I'm interested in what you feel is the best leaf and why? OME? Deaver? Alcan? ProComp? or ?

I have mid travel coil overs in the front lifting me about 2.5" with new UCA's. I currently have a temporary 2" block in the rear that is not staying, so I'm looking to go up about 2.5" but I can always add a shackle if needed.

I'm looking for the most cushion when I having a lot of fun. I hate when my Tacoma hits the stops.

 

really nothing?

 

You are asking a pretty broad question. If you dont tow or haul I think you might wanna do deavers, they are softer than dakars or all pro. Why do you want a full pack? Have you thought about a 3 leaf aal?

 

Thanks, I don't tow very often and usually not very far. I'm just looking for to raise the back while increasing not decreasing performance. The best solution to soften the rear when having fun...

So you think deavers are softer than OME?

 

Deavers for no weight, wheelers offers the alcans in a five leaf version and eight leaf version both with no overload spring. They told me the eight leaf version handles up to 800lbs well yet is still fairly active unladen. Pick your anticipated load range and choose a springset to match. Lots of info on dakars allpro etc. on this forum. Happy hunting, let us know how it turns out.

 

Just replaced front and rear shocks. Before replacing I noticed a squeak at rear when climbing in/out of the bed. Do I need new leaf springs too?

 

Leaf springs squeak. It's normal. I have OME Dakar 8 leaf and they are quite noisy... much more then the stock 3 leaf setup was.

Anyway, anytime you've got metal on metal like in a leaf pack and the metal moves against the other leafs it makes noise.

There are sprays and other things you can do to lessen/eliminate the sound if it bothers you.

Your leafs are shot when your backend is bouncing all over the place or sags badly with a moderate load in the bed.

 

What should I expect to notice when putting on new leafs from stock leafs with a block? I do sometimes carry some weight, construction materials and loads of wood in the fall. Eight leaf versions sounds like it might be a better choice...

 

Why have you ruled out a 3 leaf aal?

 

Not meant to be a shit storm starter OP but whatever you do, DO NOT let anyone talk you into the Deaver J66's (for 2nd gens.) Not sure if they still make them or not but out of all the great springs that Deaver makes , they really hit a wall with these, they just werent very good, for some worse than stock...

 

If you haul anything at all def. do not get J66's

 

Good to know about the j66s. 4wd how would you rate the quality of the steel between the main players: ome, allpro, alcan etc. Enjoyed your thread on leafpack rebuilding starting to think that may be a good route for me but I need a pair of 2nd gen mainleafs to build off as mine are toast.

 

Well it's literally impossible to get American forged steel as theres no steel mills/foundrys anymore as far as I know so that leaves the big aftermarket spring manu. to get the best of the worst in the milder steel that has been coming out of Asia for years now, it's not bad steel for the most part, just softer, somewhat inferior ( IMO anyway) to the glory days of the 60's 70's era trucks springs I use. But as far as comparison , the OME's are a good , Alcan's are slightly better but more $$$$ & I like the allpro expos after a little re-working (theres a leaf that needs to come out) & the allpro's seem to hold up better than the others mentioned

& without seeing your mains, I can't evaluate but I'm betting that yours are still good, just need some attention...

 

I have the Dakars and love them so far. I still have to test them on the dunes and towing. Ride is great on hard top and dirt roads. Work good on logging trails. No negitives so far. Much better than stock leafs. I reconmend getting rid of the stock leafs they are junk and ride rough... Don't use AAL get real leafs and remove leafs for the height you want...