Rear Leaf Springs

So I was looking at my rear leafs and noticed they have a real negative arch to them. Truck sits about level or just slightly sagging in rear. I'm sure that they are original (246,000 on the clock), the PO didn't do much to her other than oil changes. Shocks are original as well. Question is.. is there any kind of fix to bring them back to positive arch for the time being until I make a decision on what kind of lift to install? It will probably be next summer before I'm able to lift it.
Any thoughts, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks guys.

 

Are they covered under the recall?

 

Sorry thought was 2nd gen.

 

Add A Leaf (AAL) kit would hold you over until you make a decision.

 

I use this in my 2004. Lifted the truck and helped with stability. I bought from autozone. I also installed new rear shocks "aftermarket ".

$154 Hellwig 1250 EZ Level Helper Spring Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001...ing+helper&dpPl=1&dpID=21Xp9d7fXoL&ref=plSrch

 

I bought my truck with those helper springs on. The ride was so stiff I couldn't stand it, so I took them off and quickly realized why the PO put them on... to hide the massive axle wrap and worn out shocks. Plus, the effin' dude threw a pop up camper in the back of it and tooled around the Colorado mountains, which ruined the auto trans.. It's in the shop right now getting the trans. rebuilt to the tune of $3700. Ouch.

 

why spend the cash on something just for a few months? if it doesnt affect anything, just put that money you dont spend on an aal towards your next purchase.

if you dont want to wait, get an aal like stated above

 

Looking at the pics again, they don't seem that bad. There are pics posted here showing much worse. I've learned here that these leaf springs (stock) sit almost flat when new, making for a softer, more car like ride. We can thank Toyota focus groups for that.
I had a set of aftermarket stock lift springs put on back in August, the difference is night and day, with at least 1+ inches of lift back there. I have 5100's all the way around, with the fronts set in the middle to level the truck. Before the new leafs the truck was level, after new leafs the truck has a bit of a rake to it, but I have front coils with 128K miles on them, so that may contribute to rake. Oh, and the new leafs sit almost flat, with a little "smile" at each end of the springs.

 

Thanks for the input. Hard to believe that they we're "designed" like that especially for a 4X4. If I may ask what brand if aftermarket spring did you go with? I was thinking with going with the 5100's all around as well. I'm sure I'll change my mind 217 times before I actually do it though!!!

 

I bought the Heavy Duty ones from General Spring then added Super Springs

Fpr me it works because it is used as a Truck most days it has 1000 pounds in the bed and often as not Towing a Diesel welder as well

 

Yeah, as far as the leafs designed to ride pretty much flat thats how most rigs are these days. Its all about the comfort, thats more important to the masses than not these days and to be honest they work better that way too. These big lift springs you see that have alot of arch are terribly stiff and dont flex worth a shit cause of that arch. Where as a flatter design will allow much more flex since its not fighting that steep curve so to speak..

 

Why not just find a tranny to swap? Those AW4 transmissions are virtually indestructible, so if the one in your truck was blown, one found in a part out or junkyard would have worked, and it would have been less than $600!

OP, factory leafs are pretty much worn after 100K miles, or 10 years. Do it right, replace those leafs. I had my leafs replaced with @ 130K miles with Alcan leafs, and knowing what I now know, I wish I had replace them earlier, much earlier.

 

Truck been in AZ it's whole life? Might clean up that frame.

 

Nope, PO said spent first 4 years in Boston, MA then he moved to AZ. I just bought the truck in July....that is definitely on the list.

 

Wow what a fuckin joke!!! Those two were certainly a couple of slime balls without a doubt!

 

Well, I plan on driving the truck for another 400K miles and don't want to worry about when/if a used trans. takes a dump on me. Peace of mind more than anything else. I took it to Detroit Transmission, where the owner himself is taking care if it. Should be done today.

 

I got them 3 years ago from Deaver, thinking they would fab a set for me. What I got was a set from Dallas Spring, Deaver just played middle man. They work well, and lifted the rear a little over an inch. I have just a bit of rake with the front shocks set in the middle. If you snoop more around here, people mention General HD leafs from Wheelers.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advise and opinions. I really appreciate it.

 

If you're handy, (and/or cheap ), this thread is full of redneck ingenuity for rear springs.