Two inch lift at the rear, tell me what I need...

So, I have the front taken care of, new OME 2881 springs and Bilstein 5100s coming.
The crappy old spacer lift will be gone.
Next in line is the rear.
I have not ordered the Blsteins yet. Was told to measure center hub to fender well, it's now at appx 24".

That said, the rear has been lifted 2" but from what I've learned here at T-World, it has 2" blocks, needs leafs, etc., not done good. Most probably done by some previous kid owner without a clue...

Crawling under the twuk today I look at the leaf springs and they do indeed look saggy (to me).
Since I'll be having somebody else do the work I want to order the right set-up when I order the shocks.
I still want to retain the 2" lift, but done the right way.

What am I looking at?...
How do I attain a proper 2" lift?
Leaf springs plus adding a leaf? (AAL?)
Muchos gracias amigos.

 

Cheap route if you just want a bolt on setup is this. Ive had and it works. Ride is not great but its half the price of a good coilover setup. Get front spring spacer to get you a little extra and throw all that in the garbage. 33 will fit and dakars settle nice to an even ride height after a little. Get greasable shackles too. Toytec is super cool. They can help you out with any questions.

 

What are you trying to do with the truck?

If you're just lifting for looks maybe an AAL and adjustable shackles.

If you're trying to get really good flex but aren't going to have a lot of weight, maybe AllPro leaf springs or Dakar leaf springs (Dakar will probably allow more load than the AllPro)

If you want flex and you're going to have weight in the bed. maybe Alcan leaf springs.


I'd take a good look at some of that rust undr there too.

 

lol. rust? we call that a little saltina here in the northeast. The hammer still bounces off that frame for sure.

 

We (from Cali) get an eye twitch when we see rust lol

 

Yeah, its like the plague. I flew and bought a cali 1st gen to avoid it. But, I have rusty ones too and you just deal with it. Freeze off, heat and patience.

 

Just want to use the truck as an everyday driver, some mild desert fun now and then. Basically want to refurb the leaf springs (if you guys think it looks like it’s needed), and replace the shocks and retain the rear lift (2” front).
I have the front sorted as mentioned.
I’ve been told here that the current set up (blocks) aren’t the best lift option for the rear…

 

Asking what’s the best way to level the rear with the 2” front.
I’d prefer a better ride than a serious off-road set up.
Right now it rides very firm in the street (rough).

 

There are quite a few ways to lift the rear. "The best" way to do it, is the way that fits the budget and what you are going to do with the truck.

Example: regular AllPro springs will sag and wont give you the lift you want if you have too much weight in the truck. If you don't have any weight, they may be a good fit.

AllPro expos will give you too much lift, and probably ride too rough if you have no weight. They may ride perfect if you have 300 pounds in the bed. They will sag and wont give you the lift you want if you have too much in the bed.

It also depends on what you want to spend... AAL and shackles are a couple hundred bucks. AllPro or Deaver are 4 or 500 bucks. Alcan is around a grand, plus.

 

So I guess I could just leave the 2” blocks, I’m not hearing anything negative here.
Question is, do I even need new rear leaf springs? I mean looking at the photos…

 

If you like the look/stance, and the ride is acceptable, then keep the blocks.
My springs were bent over backwards, yours are merely flat.
They didn't have much arc from the factory to begin with.

 

Thanks for that. If the blocks acceptable and the springs look OK, I’d like to just get away with the new Bilsteins and call it good.

 

Not sure if mentioned but you have air bags in the rear. That would be main cause of a stiff ride. I would ditch the blocks and air bags and go with a complete leaf spring like Deaver, OME, etc.

 

I keep the bags at a minimum psi, just enough to keep them from being sagged, like 8 psi.
I’m trying to research what I should do regarding the rear spring options for the lift without blocks.

 

BTW, the truck has 245K miles, abs I assume the original springs.

 

I installed these Wheelers Off Road progressive AAL and Bilsteins on my '98 about 2 years ago with 310K miles. It resulted in approx. 1.5" of lift. Ride is firm but not harsh.

 

Is that lifted in the front too? Looks higher in back…

 

Dear lord, DO NOT use the All Pro leafs. They are absolute trash. I got the expo's and they ride AWFUL without the tent on. They are insanely rigid, have no take up and then sag when my tent is on. I cannot wait to get the ALLFUL suspension off my truck.

If I could do it over again and was on roughly the same $1,100 - $1300 budget, I would go with the Eibach pro lift from @HeadStrong Off-Road: https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...95-2004_Toyota_Tacoma_-_E80-82-006-01-22.html.

I am currently stashing money to go King front and rear and Chevy 63 rear springs.

 

Check out Dobinsons. Great quality and @Crikeymike can get you all the part numbers.

 

I have the standard Allpros for ~15 years now and they are fine, I often load the truck to the limit even though they warn you that it will damage the springs - that's bull.