Dakar springs worn out?

When I was installing my traction bar for my Tacoma to kill axle wrap, it was noted that my Dakar springs are kind of 'flat'. The center part over the axle is in mild reverse arch, and the ends are still bowed correctly. So they're kind of in a "W" shape. I am not using the overload leafs, and the standard bed load is the rubber mat and a hard retract tonneau cover, adding 150-200lbs to the rear.

The question is, are these worn out?

If so, I think I'll try different springs next time, as these have always ridden pretty hard.

Options if worn out, and looking for opinions on:
1. Put overload leaf back in to see if it helps.
2. Replace with other springs. Thinking Wheeler's 5-leaf HD.
3. Total Chaos spring under conversion.

I have access to a welder, and I'm keeping the truck until it falls apart so I don't mind a little more modding without going full crazy on long travel.

What say ye?

 

I would try #1 first, since you have it, and the only cost is time. #3 has me thinking bad thoughts about spending money, that Im trying to suppress.

 

How old are they?
Miles on them?
How long ago installed?

 

You could also consider adding the additional

$77 d29xl leaf spring

d29xl leaf

 

Age....6-7 years.
Miles: ~45k.

 

get the Wheelers HD set... so you can come back here and do a compare/contrast between them and the OME ones... because I have the OME ones and I want someone to try out the Wheelers ones before I swap.

Do It For Science

 

If the overload doesn't work....but....but...SUA!

 

this is a side effect of removing the overload spring. with out it they allow the springs to reverse arc easier which is what kills springs faster.
you can try putting it back in but not sure how much it will help. is the current setup not enough lift for you? if its fine, then just leave it.

 

I'm not really after more lift. The duty my truck sees doesn't require it, nor am I trying to fit bigger tires.

I originally took out the overloads to lower the truck a bit and try to get rid of axle wrap. Didn't know I might kill the springs faster.

 

keeping the overload would have helped a bit with axle wrap also. but a good anti wrap bar is the best setup. if the hight is fine for you, just keep running them unless you just want to change something (which is totally ok too )

 

Yeah, removing the overload didn't help with the wrap at all, but required less cranking down on the front coils to keep it somewhat level.

Trac bar ftw.