Rear sag and AAL

I have a 2015 TRD off road. Currently I have 2" spacer leveling kit in front and 1" block in rear. Truck sits pretty level but if I put any weight it the bed it looks like the rear is sagging. The leaf springs are pretty much completely flat. I am planning to have a camper shell installed.

I was thinking that a 2" AAL might be the best way to accommodate the increased load and prevent any rear sag in the future? (I would actually prefer the truck to have a little rake) I would be removing the 1" rear blocks and replacing them with the 2" AAL.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using a 2" AAL to lift the rear and if they were successful in getting the desired lift? Also, I was wondering if adding the camper shell will even cause strain on the leaf springs and I should expect it to sag more over time?

 

I have experience with a 1.5" AAL on a Taco with a shell. The result was about an inch lift over stock (1-1/2" without shell). So, you could count on about 1/2" sag with the addition of a shell. The addition of an AAL will support extra weight better for sure. The reality is that any extra weight added to a vehicle will compress springs a bit more thus reducing the lifespan of the springs. That would take years and years to notice though. I would not worry about the affect of the additional weight of a shell.

 

I, dont have an answer for you. However, I am in a similar situation. I do have a camper shell on the back and my 2011 rear leaf springs are completely flat with no added lift from spacer blocks. I would like to piggyback off your question and ask if an AAL is going to bring back the shape of the leaf pack, or will new rear leafs be necessary with an AAL. As for your camper shell possible purchase, I now have some insight for you. If you plan on keeping the truck forever, try to steer clear from LEER. Getting some replacement parts from LEER has been, lets just leave it as not possible. The dealership I went to sold both ARB and LEER and the reps there said "buy once cry once" and I wished I had listed to them.

 

An AAL will bring back a curved shape to OEM leaf packs. You can count on an AAL adding the amount of lift stated, 1-1/2" or 2", to your existing ride height. I have an ARE Overland shell and it has been great! Other than a busted side window (had a fight with a tree), it has not failed me.

 

Hey, just went through this with my truck when I added my leer cap.

Before: 1.75" Front Lift, 1" rear block on factory leaf pack, leer cap installed
LF: 36.75" RF 37.25"
LR: 37.25" RR: 37.5"

After: 1.75" Front Lift, 1.5" multi add a leaf with overload left in (effective 2" lift), leer cap installed.
LF: 36.75" RF 37.25"
LR: 38.5" RR: 38.75"

this restored the factory rake, looks great, and hasn't sagged yet.

 

You’re better off getting a whole new pack if you can afford it. Even a take off pack from a new Tacoma would be an improvement. Adding a leaf to a new take off pack is what I did and it’s holding up well 3 years later.

 

Blocks are a poor choice for rear lift and will wear out the factory packs rather quickly along with axle wrap. There's no reason to do an aal on worn leafs, go with a new leaf pack.

 

I had replacement toyota leafs installed about a year ago under the warranty or tsb and then added the icon 3 leaf aal with overload left in. I got roughly 2inch lift but after one summer of use (just dirt bike hauler for the most part) there starting to look flat already. If your running a cap and using it with decent weight a lot I would recommend new upgraded leaf packs over an aal. If i were to do it again I would jump straight to new better leafs.