Suspension question

I'm adding a Leer 100xq and decked out drawer system to the truck. I am looking at upgrading my suspension down the road to a longer travel system. No plans to run armor other than perhaps a winch and different front bumper and skid plate. At this point with the drawer system and camper shell is there any point in an AAL? I do tow my skiff a lot, but it is not what I'd consider heavy. Any suggestions and advice is welcome. I'm sure I'll get flamed about the search function. Thanks ahead of time.

 

Depends on your goals, you will probably find the back end squats a bit with that weight on there and won't do well at higher speeds off-road. That said, I would highly recommend waiting until you've added all the weight you're going to before upgrading suspension. It's much easier to get the right parts and tune things that way than trying to guess at how much weight you'll be adding, I know because I did it the other (wrong) way.

 

As stated above, and from my understanding, you’ll be better off calculating all the weight you’re going to be adding and then deciding on rear leafs. Had a long conversation with the guys at Rogue Offroad when I started ordering parts for mine. Maybe they can help you, among the other vendors here!

 

You can do eibach preassembled 2.0 all 4 wheels and simple add leaf in rear for 1200 out the door will take care of everything

 

AAL for sure with that weight, I just did the single AAL from Wheelers and it rides decent and it's much easier than the 3 leaf AAL.

 

It doesn't take much to squat the suspension. We take what I would consider an equal amount of weight on camping trips. It looks fine, and drives fine. But we hit the overloads and bump stops quite a bit when the roads are rough. Since you are planning on bigger upgrades in the future, see how it is loaded, and then do a AAL to get you by until the upgrades come. My plan is to go to Icon RTX leafs for adjustability.

 

People are extremely helpful with that choice tidbit.

I think you are on the right path. Determine your full future weight needs and build to it. The vast majority of people I see who are disappointed with their builds appear to have jumped in before understanding the needs. Perhaps they are concentrating on pontificating the virtues of searching whilst neglecting it themselves. Good luck and post up your outcome to share.

 

Thanks yall. I thought an AAL would be necessary. I live in SE NC and am off the beaten path a good bit, we don't have many rocks but lots of loose sand and mud. Really no elevation to speak of. Winch is obviously to get out of those conditions. Truck will see the mountains a good bit as well. I have OV Tune and FN wheels and k02's. No other "upgrades" to speak of really. It's a 16' SR5. I've been extremely happy post OV Tune.

 

Aal isnt something that is made so you can haul extra weight. Id get air bags till you wanted to get a custom leaf pack made. The custom pack can be built for the amount of weight you want/plan on carrying.

 

I'm running Hellwig 980s and a Leitner ACS Forged rack w/ Decked drawers. Fully fueled with a few gear pods loaded up for a trip and my normal tools and recovery gear in the drawers I am weighing in at 5300 lbs (including me and a weekend back + work laptop). I'm very happy with the AAL and initially bought it for when I had my roof top tent on top of the Leitner - I was hitting the bump stops quite often and the ass of my Taco felt like a Caddy. I like how the AAL firmed up the back end and there is no sag now that I have my XOC overland travel trailer. So that is an added bonus if you ever decide to tow - you're rig won't sag.

I'm pleased with the overall cost / benefit of the AALs. Eventually I will be upgrading to stiffer leafs when I lift my rig but for now the AALs do what they need to do. Feel free to DM if you have specific questions.

Edit:

Functionally AAL and airbags do the same thing. Air bags do not allow you to carry extra weight either. Reading between the lines, are you suggesting bags because OP will be able to transfer them to his new setup if that ever changes? Was that the basis of your recommendation?

 

Correct.

 

My shell made my rear sag over an inch on stock leaves not even a year later. Upgraded to Dakar mediums. Helped a lot.
Unlike other advice here, i wouldnt hold out to upgrade, who knows if you’ll ever go long travel. If your rear is sagging now from the extra weight, slap in some new leaf packs for $500 if u can afford it

 

Yes you will need something. My bed squatted with a cap. I added sumo springs 612-40s and am riding on them all the time. I’m installing a lift and Deavers next weekend but the sumos kept it leveled out the last 2 years. Now they will become bump stops again.

 

I'll just plan on adding a leaf. My second question while on the topic is I have trd pro suspension off a 4 runner. Anyone have any ideas if a retrofit is easy or worth it?