Opinions please...Air Bags vs Add-a-leaf vs Full spring swap

For those of you that have tried these, which would you do again? I've searched quite a bit here, and everybody has a reason they would or wouldn't do the same thing again.

I'm running a '14 TRD Off Road, 5100 billys, just under 2" in the front, 1" blocks in the rear. The rear just looks low to me, esp with my shell on the back. 90% On road, 10% off road, with no abusive use at all.

I'm leaning towards just tossing a set of Firestone bags under the rear and calling it a day. But I'm always interested in what has worked for others., and why. I'd love to dump the blocks and get a set of true 2" rear springs, but everything looks like nearly 3" except deavers , which look like the best stuff out there. I can't see myself putting much weight in the back. I'm too lazy to pull the shell off every time I want to haul something, and my bikes really don't fit anyway. The bags (on paper) look like the best compromise.

Alright...I'm listening.

 

Air bags if you just need extra capacity to haul/tow.

AAL if you're looking for a bargain option, not as good as a full leaf pack.

Full leaf pack if you want load capacity, flex, droop, better ride, longevity.

 

get the new OEM dakar standard pack (not the medium duty) and take the 3rd leaf out (which makes it exactly the same as the medium duty but costs less) should net around 2in of lift over stock, be a fuck ton better than blocks w/ air bags, and if you wanted more lift you can throw the 3rd leaf back in!

 

I went with Dakars with the 3rd leaf removed. Happy with the ride and much more wheel travel over stock.

 

I had an AAL on my Nissan pickup. It worked.

Very early on, I put air bags on my Tacoma. They work well and are adjustable.

I have the HD OME leaf pack on my Tacoma and it's amazing.

Do it right. Buy a full leaf pack.

 

How much lift did you get from this setup?

 

Didn't really pay attention. I'll measure tonight but I have some extra weight (shell, bolt on sliders, skids, and about 50lbs of recovery gear in the bed).

 

I had bags on an older taco. I loved them. hauling a quad?...35psi and you'd never know it was there. But it was a prerunner that never, ever went off road. Flex (or articulation) was never part of the requirements. I do not want to use the daystar cups. period. the clacking is annoying as hell. That has been my only hesitation...I don't want to rip a new set of bags by accident.

 

Thanks!! Sounds about like my everyday load. shell, and 45-55 lbs of backpacking + photo gear and water that's always with me. Add my tools in there and our loads are prob comparable.

 

I've never once heard my bags make a noise with the cradles. And the Firestone warning about them is bullshit. They're just trying to keep you from using another company's successful product while they design their own.

 

I went with a combination. First, I put a Wheeler's AAL (single) and got ~1" of lift. Then I installed airbags, and use those to adjust for load, or if I want to get a little more fender-tire clearance in a certain area. With that combo, I end up with about 2" of lift in the rear (bags ~12 psi). With a HiLift and shovel in the back (pass. side), a full tank of gas, and my ARE shell, it rides well enough.

The Wheeler's leaf was a mistake and the next iteration will be a full spring pack and the bags. With a full overlanding load in the back, I bump the bags up to 20-25 psi and things seem OK.

 

I had a local shop add a helper spring and re-arch the pack for the lift I specified. They tell me the helper leaf gives me about 1000lbs more capacity. I noticed immediately that the rear end is stiffer on takeoff, and also that the truck doesn't flex under my weight as I enter it. I got about 4 inches of lift total, but the helper leaf alone would give you about 1.75 to 2 inches. All of this can be repaired anywhere you can find a spring shop, with no specialty parts. I think I paid about $350, including new u-bolts etc.

There are spring packs that will give better articulation, but for my money I am very happy with the load capacity, road handling, and simplicity of the whole deal.

 

I have a dclb with cap and prinsu, my air compressor, and hilift sit in the bed. And i am eventually going to hc bumper. So i have extra weight daily. I tow often, travel trailers and boats.

I went with dakars with upper over load removed and added ride rites with day star cradles. Which allows for droop. Best of both worlds in my opinion.

Picture is before removing the overload and adding shims.

 

Hub to fender with just over a half tank of gas: driver's side 22.5" and passenger side 23"

 

I would suggest a new leaf pack if your considering keeping the truck for a long time. I had a new tsb 4 leaf plus a 3 leaf aal and they arched negative within 6 months. I run sumo springs, can't recommend those enough. Remember with bags comes lines.... And compressor...... And cradles... Shit adds up real quick. I wish I would have just spent the money the first time an bought an aftermarket set of leafs. (which I ended up doing, allpro expos)

 

Sorry I just saw this. Thanks so much for the intel. That ride height is what I'm shooting for. Which Dakars did you go with? Regulars or heavy-duty? finally ordering parts this week. Thanks again!

 

When I ordered them there wasn't an option. I believe the HD is the same as the old one and the regular is just the HD with a leaf removed (maybe Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road can chime in here).

 

This may help clarify some things:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-ome-dakar-leaf-pack-review.489540/

 

So I pulled the trigger on the "medium duty" dakkars from Headstrong. Hats off to these guys. AWESOME service and very patient.

Got them on yesterday, and the lift I got was almost exactly what I was looking for with the camper on, just a little high, but I'm sure it will settle in a bit.

Cant wait to try them out on the road. Next stop...5160's!!

 

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