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Rear leaf spring replace for 3" lift

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Hackjob, May 21, 2015.

  1. May 21, 2015 at 4:27 AM
    #1
    Hackjob

    Hackjob [OP] Member

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    Hey all, I noticed the other day to my dismay that one of my rear springs has a broken leaf. The truck is an 4wd '01. The PO gave the truck a 3" lift, I'm pretty sure they just raised the rear with an add-a-leaf. Can anyone tell me what kind of springs to get to keep the truck sitting level? I would prefer heavier springs, cause it's a truck and I like to fill it up with crap.

    Thanks folks

    -Hackjob
     
  2. May 21, 2015 at 4:28 AM
    #2
    DrFunker

    DrFunker Well-Known Member

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    :laughing:
     
  3. May 21, 2015 at 3:34 PM
    #3
    00yotasr5

    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

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    there is a lot of leaf springs out there that will keep it at 3 inches. I have all-pro expos and those are heavy duty, gives about 4 inches without weight in the back. also those can hold up to about 600 lbs of weight iirc.
     
  4. May 21, 2015 at 3:41 PM
    #4
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    3" lift usually means 3" in front and 1.5-2" in rear to level truck. Do you mean its lifted 3" in back?
     
  5. May 21, 2015 at 3:45 PM
    #5
    00yotasr5

    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

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    it will give a total of 4 inches in the back with a slight rake unless you want their 3 inches leaf springs, that have that too. ( also im talking about a whole new leaf pack not no aal)
     
  6. May 22, 2015 at 4:13 AM
    #6
    Hackjob

    Hackjob [OP] Member

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    Thanks guys, I guess the rear is lifted 1.5-2" in the rear since it sits level (er, used to). I dont mind if the truck has a slight rake, but mostly I wanna be able to load it up, so the beefier springs the better.

    -Hackjob
     
  7. May 22, 2015 at 8:12 AM
    #7
    teehext

    teehext Well-Known Member

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    If that's the case I'd go with the OME Dakars. They give about 2.25" lift so you'll be around where you were sitting before and they offer an extra leaf if you're really hauling a lot of crap.
    Heard great things about AllPro's too but it sounds like you don't want that much lift
     
  8. May 23, 2015 at 4:48 AM
    #8
    Hackjob

    Hackjob [OP] Member

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    Thanks again guys, here's some more info I probably shoulda had in the OP. This truck is my daily driver and light work truck. All the mods were done by the PO and I don't really take it off roading 'cause the PO had a brush gaurd added and the mechanic who installed it removed the skidplate from under the engine :crazy:. The truck has a little over 200k so that could be the cause for the spring breakage, but it's also possible I broke it by overloading. So at this point I'm leaning towards the OME Dakars since the AllPro site said they were for wheelin' not haulin. Any other advice is def appreciated.

    Do you mean 600 lbs per spring? For a total of 1,200 lbs? These are 1/2 ton trucks right?


    -Hackjob
     
  9. May 23, 2015 at 10:09 PM
    #9
    00yotasr5

    00yotasr5 Well-Known Member

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    Both spring hold total 500-600 lbs. They have 2 leaf packs to choose from, the regular 3 inches and then the expo which give around 4 inches unloaded, loaded drops it down to about 3inches.
     
  10. May 26, 2015 at 4:25 AM
    #10
    Hackjob

    Hackjob [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate the feedback. Both reccomemded sets of springs look pretty nice, but pricey. Does anyone know of any other heavy duty options that might be less expensive? I don't really need them to be made for offroading, I just wanna mainatin the lift that it has already and be able to haul a load again.

    -Hackjob
     
  11. May 26, 2015 at 7:19 PM
    #11
    devinzz1

    devinzz1 Well-Known Member

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    #11
  12. May 26, 2015 at 7:35 PM
    #12
    LikeABoss4x4

    LikeABoss4x4 Well-Known Member Vendor

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    You'll likely need a new leaf pack depending on which leaf is broken. OMEs are decent and provide lift + weight carrying, but since they incorporate the large, flat overlead leaf (like stock), the ride quality won't be as good as the All-Pro's. Also, All-Pro springs can carry some weight, about 300-350lbs with the standards and 400-500-lbs with the expedition, and you can increase the capacity with Timbrens as well, but they will sit at 3-4" without weight. You can also go with Wheeler's replacement packs, but they are just as much as the others. Let us know if we can help. We also carry AALs too and have a 2" lift single AALs currently in stock for your truck.
     
  13. May 26, 2015 at 8:22 PM
    #13
    Brake Weight

    Brake Weight But it hasn't rained in weeks...I'll make it.

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    Weld up some new hangers and get some new shackles to fit whatever springs you want back there. Pick-and-Pull time.
     
  14. May 27, 2015 at 8:41 PM
    #14
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Call Alcan. I custom ordered a set of springs that provided 2.5" of lift and had an extra 200lbs loading capacity. They can hold 600+ lbs like a champ. Only downside is when unloaded, they're pretty stiff. But it sits perfectly level front to back when unloaded (I asked for 2.5" lift because a lot of the 1.5" springs get worn out and make the truck have a front rake). I think it was $500-600, I can't remember exactly, it was about 6 years ago when I ordered.
     
  15. May 31, 2015 at 12:13 PM
    #15
    Hackjob

    Hackjob [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated. Guess I got some deciding to do, I'll let you all know what I settle on.
     
  16. May 31, 2015 at 1:55 PM
    #16
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    before you decide have a look at these, they are good quality and very affordable: http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-237hd.htm

    I just put a set on and they add an extra 400 lbs payload capacity over stock, its the perfect replacement springs for tacomas without overpaying for "name brand" springs
     
  17. May 31, 2015 at 4:10 PM
    #17
    Brake Weight

    Brake Weight But it hasn't rained in weeks...I'll make it.

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  18. Jun 1, 2015 at 6:28 AM
    #18
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    just go with the general springs, the HD are a MAJOR upgrade from oem specs and do give you about 1 1/2" lift plus much needed extra payload unlike the OME dakars made of more leafs but also "thinner" leafs which are weaker and that's why they have more of them.

    if you need more lift after you install the general HD leafs then you can just add these adjustable lift shackles to let you fine tune your height just the way you want it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-TACOMA-LIFT-KIT-REAR-ADJUSTABLE-1-OR-1-75-LIFT-SHACKLES-SHACKLE-4WD-4X4/191577297847?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20131003132420&meid=0599877bd5d34430ba3a495f648f9e8d&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=201347618705&rt=nc

    if you have to replace the leafs DO NOT GO BACK TO STOCK SPECS for payload like most springs do. if it doesn't specifically say it increases payload then its just as weak and wimpy as your oem springs were.

    also be ware of wheelers, they had a good rep but they have new suppliers now that been having quality issues lately, in the past I wouldn't think twice about buying wheelers but now, just saying, do some looking into it before buying wheelers
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2015
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  19. Jun 1, 2015 at 7:49 AM
    #19
    teehext

    teehext Well-Known Member

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    I would agree with this statement if there was any difference at all in pricing between Dakar and General.

    I'm sure both springs are fine, I'd just like to point out that my payload is in fact increased after installing Dakars, and I can tell you from personal experience that they are not a weaker pack...
    Don't want OME getting a bad rap for false information. Just my $0.02, good luck with your purchase OP.
     
  20. Jun 1, 2015 at 8:29 AM
    #20
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    dakars use 7 or 8 "thin" leafs to get the correct payload because they are weaker springs and you need more of them to handle the same weight load.

    the reason they do this on purpose for better off roading as it gives a softer ride and more range of motion while maintaining the stock payload capacity.

    it comes down to what you are looking to get, do you want softer springs to allow a softer off road ride while maintaining stock payload at the expense of a shorter lifespan, or do you want thick leaf springs that give better on road suspension and much longer lifespan?

    as you say, its all about getting correct information. dakars do NOT say they give any extra payload capacity anywhere they are advertised, and lift or ride height has no bearing on payload and cant be used to "assume" it has more payload so maybe they do and just don't say it in their advertisements (very unlikely) but what makes you think they do? because I have never seen anything to support that.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2015

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