Need Advice for 1st Gen Rear Shocks and Springs

I just purchased a 1999 Tacoma, my first, and the rear end is too soft. I'm looking for an inexpensive way to increase the load capacity of my truck, and am considering an add-a-leaf. I've spoken to a couple vendors and they've told me I should get new shocks to accommodate the lift of an AAL.

However if I need to buy new shocks, I think I should upgrade to the OME Dakar leaf pack since that'll provide far more hauling capacity.

Anybody have an AAL, especially one of the 3-leaf progressive ones, with stock shocks on the 1st gen Taco? How much weight capacity did it add?

Bilstein 5100s seem to be the popular choice, but are the OME Nitrochargers any good?

 

I'm not sure if new shocks are 'required' to accommodate an AAL or even the 3 leaf AALs....I don't think it is necessary to be honest.

I got the Headstrong 3 leaf AAL's put on my 2004 Tacoma with Bilstein 5100s all around.

Depending on what you mean by 'soft' leaf springs, it may just be better to replace the entire pack with the OME Dakar or All Pro leaf packs.

 

I'm looking at the Headstrong 3-leaf AAL; I asked Marie and she told me that stock shocks and the AAL are "not ideal" but could work. I want to leave the factory overload in which I hear is about 2" of lift.

By "soft" I mean I'm putting 300-400lb in the bed and I'm hitting the bump stops when I roll over potholes, speed bumps, etc.

 

I kept my overload leaf in as well and I definitely got 2" of lift, honestly I think it's closer to 2.5" but I'm sure it depends on the condition of your stock leaf pack.

If you're still running the stock leaf springs from 1999, it's probably better just to swap out the whole pack with something new

 

That's what I'm thinking, as far as I know the shocks and leaf pack are original. They probably need to be changed out anyway, it's just a big price delta and I want to be sure it's the best option.

 

That makes sense, but I'm not planning to wheel the truck, I just need more cargo capacity.

Would I need to change out the front suspension if I replace rear leaf pack and shocks? Like will it cause uneven wear on other components?

 

Great. I would like to replace the front bumper with an aftermarket tube bumper (no winch) in the future, but that can wait.

Anybody have an opinion on OME Nitrochargers vs Bilstein 5100/5125?

 

That's an endless debate, but in my research I remember reading that more people had issues with the Nitrochargers bottoming out and being a stiffer ride than the 5100s, which is what ultimately had me decide on that setup. But people will swear both ways, they're both tried and true setups. 5100s have a somewhat bad reputation of leaking oil when used moderately/heavy off-roading, so there's that

 

Correct and just to add to this...

The only additional extension needed from the shock will be the thickness of the AAL, which is approximately 1/4". By design the shocks fully extend when the rear is drooped out with or without the addition of the AAL, with the AAL this full extension will just happen a little quicker. So yep not ideal, but definitely doable.

 

But probably not an issue if I'm not wheeling the truck?

I've decided to go with the Dakars anyway, the shocks and springs are 235k old and I want to refresh the whole suspension.

 

Just going to put some other questions up in this thread since it's going already.

I'm going to go with the complete OME lift kit, but I notice other people running spacers on the front shocks. Is this something I need, or an option? I notice it's not included with the OME kit.
I also want as little lift in the front as possible and I've heard of CV joint issues with bigger lifts, so I would go with the 2880 coils. Do I need new Upper Control Arms (Light Racing)? I will probably add a tube bumper to the front at some point, but no winches or other accessories.

 

You only 'need' new UCA's if you're going any higher than 2.5" of lift up front. I have the OME 881's on my truck with stock UCAs and it's fine.

880's aren't going to give you much lift in the front, maybe an inch. I got about 1.5" with the 881's.

If you plan on adding a bumper in the future, you're going to want a stronger spring like the 886. The 880s and 881s will likely sag in the front with the added weight of a bumper.

edit: actually, you'll probably be okay with 880s or 881s...just saw that you have the 4 banger and looking at a tube bumper. Not likely that you'll run into any sagging issues.

 

Thanks for the info!
I figured the 880 would be OK and stronger than stock, but I haven't been able to find specs on the stock coils for my model (length, spring rate, etc.)

 

If I remember correctly, the 880/881s are rated slightly higher than stock suspension but not by much. But since you have the lighter motor in, you have more wiggle room as far as adding extra weight to the front goes before you have to worry about sagging the coils.

In hindsight, I wish I had opted for 886's for the extra lift and added spring rate over the 881s. But when/if I make the switch, I'll have to get new UCA's as well.

 

Seems folks in this thread find the 881/4cyl/no bumper combo harsh, so I think 880 is my choice. Definitely not putting a winch up front and I find it has plenty of clearance with the stock suspension. But then I'm not wheeling the truck either
I would run something like the @60lbs or ideally something like that Back To The Future tube bumper:


Does anybody have experience with the firm Nitrochargers (60065) vs. the soft (60062) that come with the OME complete kit? I couldn't find any info on them, but Headstrong offers them if you get rear shocks separately.