Leaf Springs

Scheduling a shop to do a 3" LIFT ON MY 2018 Tacoma (SLEE OFFROAD in Colorado). Shop wants to use OME leaf springs. Super impressed with the shocks and like the shop. Have heard negative things about the OME springs (this site and competitors) and Deaver springs have been recommended. Was curious about others experience with any of the above (SLEE, OME Springs, and/or Deaver [other recs])

Truck will do off-roading (even my driveway can be a challenge), work-truck/construction, and towing trailer on occasion.

Hoping for better information than I received trying to use a Facebook group - thanks in advance

 

Leaf springs are an ancient device and so I’m skeptical there are major differences between brands. I think it’s more important to get ones tuned to your rig and it’s intended use.

I have OME Dakars and they with fine. My only complaint is that they creak a lot if not maintained.

 

I find the OME springs "squish" out and sag sooner, it's hard to describe. But the thing is all leaf springs sag and bow over time.

Personally I run springs from a local builder in town, and even they didn't sit right so I had to do an AAL.

I like deaver, TW seems to like deaver, I'd lean more towards them. I think they are cheaper as well.

Another thing is, I'd consider bigger offroad bump stops, I have no proof, but I always feel like when flexing offroad the inverting really decays the life of a spring, so a big ass energy bump stop would reduce this, plus add comfort.

https://www.4wheelparts.ca/p/timbren-active-off-road-rear-bumpstops-abstrfk/_/R-FDCP-ABSTRFK Just thinking out loud.

 

The only issue I know of with the Aussie-made leafs like OME is that the second leaf is too long and can bind in the shackle during articulation - sometimes damaging the shackle over time.



Eric at Archive Garage has talked about this issue at length on his hammer hangers thread a few times.