Replacing Leaf Springs on my 96 4x4 2.7L

My original leaf springs are finally starting to sag a little. My coils are also pretty shot, so I'm hoping to replace those as well during this whole process. See below for questions on that.

I have recently replaced all 4 original shock absorbers with Bilstein 5100s. I have an add a leaf in the rear and a 1" spacer in the front. Overall I have about a 2" lift on the truck. I'm getting the truck ready for a big road trip in the spring, and am planning to have a cargo carrier on top of the truck with two kayaks. Also, going to build out a bed and drawer system for the bed. This should add a good bit of weight, but am hoping to keep it under 150lbs.

I've been told my best option considering economy/performance would be to go with the OME Dakars to replace the original leaf springs. I'm thinking I'm going to do this job myself. This is the part list I'm planning on buying:


My main questions are:

1. Do I need to buy longer brake lines with these leaf springs? Or are the stock lines just fine? Will I need to buy any other parts here other than new bushings and u bolts?

2. Will they be sufficient with the setup I'm planning on having with the back loaded down with weight? Or will these springs give the truck too much lift in the rear?

3. I'm planning to replace my front 1"spacers in the front with coils that do the lifting instead. What coils go best with the Dakars to match their lift height and also work well with the 5100s?

4. Is Wheelersoffroad.com a good place to buy these springs and coils?

 

I would recommend buying the rear extended line from wheelers so you have it during install. When I did my 2016, I didn't need it but when I did my 1995.5 I absolutely did. If you want to splurge on new greasable bolts for the bushing locations, you'll make maintaining your investment easier. I personally would recommend running a 2.5 degree axle shim with that leaf pack, as I had vibrations after installing my 8-leaf wheeler pack that were eliminated with the 2.5 degree shim. About 1 degree per inch of lift is a good rule.

The dakars should work well for the setup you plan on running. With the canopy and bed drawer system you're talking about permanently installed, it should be enough to make these ride enjoyably.

I'm sure you'll get some different recommendations, but OME makes a coil that works on the 5100. I'm not positive what size you'll need for your setup.

Wheelers is great. Super fast shipping where I live too!

 

Thanks! From what I've read the 882s seem to be the most commonly used coil to match the lift of the dakars. I think I may get 881s tho and take a leaf out of the leaf pack from the dakars. I don't necessarily want or need 2.5" of lift.

What are the greaseable bolts for? They are essentially just so that the old bolts that hold the leaf to the shackle don't rust or seize onto the new leafs? I want to get a good setup that lasts a long time, but I'm just trying to wade through which pieces are necessary and which are not.

 

I just put the OME leaf springs on my 95 last week and it needed the extended brake line. It also needed axle shims. At least I think it did, I'm still waiting for the shims, hopefully once I install them it won't shake accelerating through 15-25 mph. On the front I put the Toytec Boss coil overs. I've only driven it to get an alignment and noticed the shaking which I think is due to pinion angle issues but it rode great, way better than with the old worn out stock suspension.

 

Dont forget extended bumpstops

 

and longer center pins/collars for the shims

The list never ends OP

 

Haha that's what it seems. Are the shims always necessary? How badly does the truck 'vibrate'?

 

Resurfacing this post because I have my final list that I am purchasing. Was wondering if anyone wanted to chime in and let me know if I need anything else:

- 2 OME cs020r leaf springs. These are the cs019r with the extra leafs already added. I thought this was the best choice for my constant heavy load that I'm going to have in the bed.
- All Bushings
- Brake Proportioning Valve kit
- Exhaust tail pipe relocation kit
- U bolts
- 3 degree shims with center pins
- Extended brake line

Any thoughts anyone?

 

What did you end up doing? If you have PartNumbers for the bushings or advice for me to find them, I am about to replace my Leaf Springs.

Do you have a build page?

I have a 1997 2.7L 4x4 Extra Cab..

 

I don’t have a build page but I can pretty much tell you everything you need to know to get the job done. What springs are you installing?

 

$192 Dorman 929-400 Leaf Spring Compatible with Select Toyota Models

Dorman 929-400
I'm thinking I want to replace the shackle bushings and have some extra hardware. However, not really sure what parts those are or if there are more things I should be concerned about.
I will also be installing Bilstein 4600 rear struts.

 

I have the dormans on my 95 xcab. They are better than the cracked packs that they replaced, but they still suck. leafs ride slightly inverted and the driver side sags with just a canopy. Get something else. I also have a 95 2.7 std cab 4wd. When I added the tonuea cover (or what ever the flat fiberglass cover is called) the rear leafs lay almost flat. I assume they're stock.

Also, I'm not sure I buy your 150# for your road trip. My quick and dirty for your kayaks says between 40-60# each. The canopy in you avatar is at least 150# on it's own. Then you add your gear/cloths. My only point is stock leafs suck and if you're tuning your truck for this load you need more. I can't offer any solutions, only my disappointment. I will be following the thread with interest.

 

I agree the dorman leafs are no good. Installed them in my 96 way back when i got it with broken leafs and didn't know any better.

Had to install leaf helpers just to get by.

 

Stoked to hear this. I was a little worried about this but the information on stock replacement leaf's all over the place. Hard to find truthful responses. They already showed up and are in my garage. Guess they are going on for now.

 

For what it's worth, I put them on in 2011 and am still using them with the leaf helpers. Yeah, they are crappy, but I'm too cheap to replace them unless they break. Definitely should have gone with a heavy duty pack like this:
https://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Toyota_Tacoma_1995_1996_1997_s/1930.htm

 

I was referring to the weight of the bed and drawer system only. I've built it and it weighs probably right around that. All in all I've put about 500lbs in the back and the CS020R pack barely even budges. It goes down about a half of an inch with 500lbs in it lol. They are absolute beasts.

 

Do you guys think the Dormans are ok for a DD? I don't plan to load up the rear except for the occasional dump trip.