Any DIY add-a-leaf threads?

I have an 07 TRD Sport with Bilstein 5100's in the rear and am adding a Wheeler's 1.5" leaf. Any DIY's on this floating around here?

Edit- do I need a longer center bolt or u-bolts for the new leaf?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aal-install-second-gen.54186/

 

Yes get new u bolts and new center.

 

I've done a DIY add-a-leaf on two of my Tacomas now. I had a light duty Deaver pack on my 1st gen that sagged bigtime and needed some help. I had the stock leafs, so I cut up stockers and added them to the pack. It rode pretty rough until I dialed it in by cutting and removing springs to my liking. Lotta time under the truck and a lot of trail and error, but it was free!

Taking what I learned there, my wife's 2006 Tacoma needed some new shocks. I picked up a set of 3rd gen coilovers and shocks for cheap from a member here on TW. That was good for 1" lift on the front. I had a 1/2" spacer which was good for another 1" for 2" total up front. That left the rear. I could have just purchased an add-a-leaf but again, had an OEM spring pack, this time from my 2014 that was taking up space in the shop. It was COVID lockdown with time to burn so I figured I would just try it and see what the results were. I cut the OEM leaf pack as pictured below and smoothed the edges and repainted it.



I made some longer centering pins as pictured and painted those


I added the new leaf to the old pack



And installed it on the truck with the new to me rear shocks. Lift was about 2" to clear 275 70 R17's and the ride is fantastic: not too stiff, matches the front well and has a little more load capacity. Here it is behind my truck on the trailer, both fully loaded on our recent move to Oregon. 2" lift with new shocks for around $150!

 

Can I just get some regular long 14mm bolts to use for the new center bolt them cut off the excess?

 

Beautiful shot!

 

That's what I did. I just took a bolt and rounded the hex so that it would clear the bumpstop bracket hole just like OEM. 2 minutes on a bench grinder.

 

A hardware store will have a 3/8 x whatever length you need hex socket head cap screw that is already round.

 

Word, im just gna do that. I could swear Wheeler's said you don't need longer u bolts, is that correct?

 

You're *supposed* to not reuse old ubolts. I'm sure people do.