Should I change plans from AAL to Allpro std. duty leaf springs?

My truck is a stock 2014 TRD Sport DCLB with 4 leaf rear springs. With my tonneau cover and recovery gear I carry maybe 100 lbs in the bed all the time. This was the plan:

Front - Bilstein 5100's at 0.85" with Toytech/Eibach 1.6" spings and a 1/4" driver side lean spacer.
Rear - Bilstein 5100's with Wheeler's Offroad 3 leaf AAL.

So far I bought the Toytech/Eibach springs and the front 5100's. Recently a guy near me posted up a set of used Allpro Standard Duty leaf springs for sale. He says they were installed for 1 month and based on their good condition that seems about right.

My question is, should I change my plans and buy the Allpro leafs to replace the factory leafs now or should I stick with my original plan and use the factory leafs with the AAL for a couple years knowing that I'll need to replace them eventually? I don't want to go any higher than planned in the front and I would have preferred to get rid of some of the factory rake but I definitely don't want to increase the amount of rake.

My factory leaf springs:

 

all pros for sure!

 

I have been running that AAL with the factory overload for about 30K miles and have been very pleased with it. It rides very well. The truck now has 70K on it and I have no problem with sagging. If you plan add any more weight I would definatly go with the AP pack. Heck, I would just go ahead and get the AP because It's just a matter of time before your OEM pack flattens out. You can always remove a leaf if you want less ride height. I think you'll have to move up to the extended 5100s though, and ext. brake lines.

 

I was thinking about buying the All-pros and removing a leaf so I contacted them about it. Here's their response:

Our spring packs are progressive packs so if you remove a leaf, they won't function properly.

For 1.5" of lift, have you considered the add-a-leaf?

Also check out Wheelers OffRoad. They may have something for you.

Let me know how we can help you!

Best regards,

Tracy​

 

I'm pretty sure I have seen ppl here do it without problem. You might ask around. If it was me, I'd buy them. Rake doesn't bother me tho. Good luck.

 

run the all pro pack... you are gonna get about 2in of lift or so out of it... its going to be SOOO much better than a stock pack with an AAL.... im considering replacing my setup to get rid of the axle wrap i got going on.

 

I just seems like such a potential pain in the ass... I know it would be best to replace the factory leafs to eliminate axle wrap and future sagging/breaking but it would mean more lift than I had originally planned so it might need brake lines plus if I end up with driveline vibes I'll have to add a shim which will only increase the amount of lift -I know not by much, but still.

Can anyone chime in that has removed a leaf or two from any progressive leaf springs and had good (or bad) results?

 

If you don't want to mess with all the extras that go along with adding the full pack, go with the AAL. Like I said, 30K miles on mine and zero problems. No axle wrap, no vibes, nothing.

 

Get the AP Expos, I am running the exact same front as you, OME spring over Eibach, and the APExpos are perfect for the ride height with the fronts on the .83 clip. They dont ride harsh at all unweighted. You just gotta break them in

You dont need to run extended 5100s in the rear nor do you need ext brake lines with them.
The APstandards will probably have you sitting level once broken in, the expos will give you a slight, and i mean barely noticeable rake after break in. of course I have a heavy af trailer, so it was easy to break them in. Thats my experience, 5100s with OME springs on .83 clip and 1/4" top plate spacers

 

you will only need brake lines if you go with longer shocks that allow it to droop way out.

Trust me, go with the all pro pack over the AAL.... its going to be so much better in the long run.

 

I recently traded up from an aal to the all pro standards. The ride is so much better and it was only maybe 1/2" to 3/4" higher than the aal.

 

I have AllPro standards and really like it. I think I'm right around 2" of lift with it, same height as I had with a 3-leaf AAL with the overload left in.

 

Lolwat.

 

Been here before.

AAL was both harder to install AND performed worse with a constant load than the full leaf pack I replaced it with, and I was under 30k miles on my OEM springs - with a 3 leaf progressive AAL.

It's a great setup on a budget, but if you have a constant load, you're basically borrowing time if you keep the OEM pack.

 

Ext brake lines, shims, longer shocks, more $$$. You know, all the reasons I still don't have dakars

 

Those aren't reasons, those are excuses.

I'm running Dakars with OME shocks, stock brake lines, no shims, no spacers, no drop kits, stock bumps - no problems. I have plenty of slack on my brake lines, and I bought extended lines anyway "just in case" which collect dust on a shelf in the garage, next to my CB drop and axle shims (which I have since given away).

 

There are no extras with any leaf pack install. Your 5100's are your extended limiter. Your COULD have more droop, but you would need longer shocks, then longer brake lines, possibly extend your bumps, and on and on.

 

Ok ok ok. When I do get dakars, I will be doing the aformentioned at the same time. My point remains the same. Like I said from the beginning, the full pack is a better setup for any application I can think of. However, the 3 leaf AAL is a good budget minded option. Hasn't let me down yet.

 

.. do it.

http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/leaf-packs-tacoma-05-6-lug.html

 

The wheelers aal is a good product, it's the factory leafs they go on.