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Which Add A Leaf is best??

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by kingston73, Nov 6, 2009.

  1. Nov 6, 2009 at 4:09 AM
    #1
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I looked around and didn't find anything to answer my question. I want to add a small amount of lift to my rear, about an inch or 1.5 inches. I know that a longer leaf gives a better ride, and I found this:

    http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit...=1&t_s=399&t_pt=5488&t_pl=1917&t_pn=FABFTS205

    or Wheelers Offroad sells a single AAL for about $80. Is one better than the other? If not, I think I'm going to go with the Fabtec just due to the lower price. Since this is a single leaf, I won't need longer U bolts?? I have the brand new factory suspension on right now, so my bolts and hardware are all in brand new condition.
     
  2. Nov 6, 2009 at 4:21 AM
    #2
    ChrisYoTaCoMa

    ChrisYoTaCoMa Chrome's for Harleys and old farts

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    I used Skyjacker Softride AAL's and could not be happier. They are a long leaf kit, add up to 2.5 inches lift, and don't make the ride harsh. I paid $100 for the set locally, but you can get them on Autoanything.com for $89-$99 shipped free.
     
  3. Nov 6, 2009 at 5:16 AM
    #3
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I looked at those, and I've heard good things about them, that's just more lift than I want. I don't want more than 1.5 inches at most, but I wonder if the cap in the back will make that less of a lift? It's about 300lbs.
     
  4. Nov 6, 2009 at 5:21 AM
    #4
    T@co_Pr3runn3r

    T@co_Pr3runn3r XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    Sauzacoma and Sicyota04 like this.
  5. Nov 6, 2009 at 5:23 AM
    #5
    ChrisYoTaCoMa

    ChrisYoTaCoMa Chrome's for Harleys and old farts

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    The cap will definitly bring it down. Also the AAL will add more strength to hold up that cap. It says up to 2.5, it lifted mine 2.5, but after they settled it was more like 2 at best. Your cap's weight will bring it to 1.5-1.75 I am sure. Trust me, the Skyjackers are great...
     
  6. Nov 6, 2009 at 6:14 AM
    #6
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I could only find a 2inch Toytec AAL for my year truck, but for either that one or the Skyjacker, does the leaf pack have to be taken apart, or do these install between the main pack and the overload? In looking at the new OEM springs I have, they are clamped down with a pretty substantial clamp, so if these AAL's need to be inserted into that, how did you do it?
     
  7. Nov 6, 2009 at 6:24 AM
    #7
    RebelRider201

    RebelRider201 Well-Known Member

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    I have Tuff Country 3" AAL's and they ride just as smooth as stock.
     
  8. Nov 6, 2009 at 6:37 AM
    #8
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    look into a progressive 3leaf aal

    way better ride than a single aal
     
  9. Nov 6, 2009 at 6:39 AM
    #9
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I asked the Wheeler's guy about that, and he actually recommended the single over their 3 leaf for my use.
     
  10. Nov 6, 2009 at 6:41 AM
    #10
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    with the 1st gens like ours...i know that you can leave the overload leaf in so as not to reduce load capacity as well

    i have the wheelers 3leaf deal and it rides great paired with bil 5125s
     
  11. Nov 6, 2009 at 7:51 AM
    #11
    ChrisYoTaCoMa

    ChrisYoTaCoMa Chrome's for Harleys and old farts

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    Oh yeah, you have to take the entire rear suspension apart to put them in. I had to take the U-bolts out, and you have to "C" clamp the springs together, and a lot more. It took me about 4-5 hours to do it.
     
  12. Nov 6, 2009 at 8:03 AM
    #12
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Right, I've read a few "how to's" and I know I'll need to unbolt the ubolts and center pin, but I'm not clear on how to unclamp the pack. Is it just a matter of putting a screwdriver into the clamp and bending it up?
     
  13. Nov 15, 2009 at 1:07 PM
    #13
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think I'm going to go with the Fabtech 1.5 AAL, it's the cheapest I could find and has the least amount of lift. Plus, I think it goes in between the overload and the rest of the leaf pack. Could anybody verify that?
     
  14. Nov 15, 2009 at 4:41 PM
    #14
    Siebler

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    I am way stoked on my Deaver 3 pack AAL that replaces the Stock Overload spring.
     
  15. Nov 15, 2009 at 4:51 PM
    #15
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Big question about the BPV - all of you who have done an AAL, did you also change or modify the BPV? I understand if you were to do a large lift, like over 2-3 inches you'll need to change something, but will a 1.5 inch lift change things enough to affect braking?
     
  16. Nov 16, 2009 at 4:23 PM
    #16
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Another question I couldn't find an answer to, will a 1.5 inch AAL require me to change anything on the front? Currently my truck is level or possibly a very very small bit front high, it's all stock. Will putting a 1.5 AAL raise it too much in the rear?
     
  17. Apr 15, 2010 at 6:55 PM
    #17
    01taquito

    01taquito "thats what she said"

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    Bilsteins 5100's front and back. Wheelers add a leaf
    did you ever get this done to your truck? i have recently considered the Fabtec AAL for the same reasons. my truck sags a very little in the rear and i would prefer a little bit of a rake. limited funds also have something to do with it
     
  18. Apr 16, 2010 at 3:57 AM
    #18
    kingston73

    kingston73 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I ended up getting a set of Fabtec AAL's for christmas and just installed them a few weeks ago. I have a cap, so they only raised my height about an inch in back and it now sits with just a slight rake, about what a brand new truck looks like unloaded. I love the Fabtec's, they didn't hurt the ride at all. To prevent squeaking, I bought a roll of a type of plastic/teflon tape and wrapped each end. I forget what the exact name of the stuff is though.
     
  19. Apr 16, 2010 at 6:47 AM
    #19
    Toytec Lifts

    Toytec Lifts Toyota Suspension specialist

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  20. Apr 16, 2010 at 7:30 AM
    #20
    01taquito

    01taquito "thats what she said"

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    Bilsteins 5100's front and back. Wheelers add a leaf
    thanks for the feed back. i hope to get a some aal ordered this week:D
     

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