Progressive AAL good enough for me?

New Taco and basically new to trucks in general. Anyway I am planning a small lift for my 3rd gen and would like to also keep some kind of rake (preferably factory). I was thinking of running the Bilstein 6112/5160 setup with a 1.5" lift in the front and a 1.5" lift in the rear.

I have a Retraxone MX retractable tonneau cover and the OEM bed mat. I don't know the exact weight but based off of shipping weight I should have around 100lbs of constant weight in the rear. I was thinking about just doing a 3-leaf progressive AAL from either Wheeler's or Icon since they both would give me the 1.5" lift.

Is the constant 100lbs in the rear enough to affect the amount of lift that the Wheeler's or Icon AAL will give me? Should I look into something else?

 

The 100lbs from your tonneau and bed mat won't do anything to affect the AAL lift amount, or if it does it will be so imperceptible it's not worth thinking about.

 

Honestly, a 1.5" block would make more sense, then do a full leaf pack down the road when it starts to sag. Usually after 4 years the spring sags, even with AAL's.

AAL's are great but unloaded it will ride more rough, and blocks aren't the worst thing in the world to put on leaf springs. I do like the idea of a progressive AAL. I'm running a plain single AAL and it rides rough, but I load up constantly.

My vote is for Icon if you go that route. Which is fine, just adding an alternative view.

 

Awesome! Yeah, I'm not ruling out blocks either at this point, but I figure if I'm going to be taking things apart already, I might as well just spend a bit more time and do the AAL.

 

100lbs is perfect for the progressive add-a-leaf. How much more weight do you plan on adding or carrying at times? Do you off road where extra wheel travel would help?

Consider a full leaf pack if you want the best ride possible with or without more weight. The extra $300-500 compared to an AAL is money well spent. You’re buying good shocks and coil overs, new leafs would be a solid combo if you can swing it

 

Truck usage is going to mostly (95%) be a mall crawler with maybe some light trails (5%). Most likely will never tow anything and the most weight I could possibly think of carrying at any given time would probably equal to be like a single laundry dryer or something but then again even that probably would be like once in a very long time if ever.

Still exploring options so nothing solid at the moment.

 

Bilstein 6112/5160 is respectable route. You don't need AAL if you're not carrying a load (and the occasional appliance doesn't really equal a load in my book.)

Install a block and see if it works for you. There's not a big amount of synergy or time savings to switch out the block later.

Congrats and welcome.

 

The progressive add a leaf would be perfect for the weight you plan on carrying and last for a long time. A leaf pack like Icon at the lightest setting would be a little smoother ride, but not necessary.

 

AAL would suffice your needs most likely. A new leaf pack would maybe be overkill but yields the best ride quality

With new shocks all around I like the idea of a crispy set of new leafs. Congrats on the truck

 

"Is the constant 100lbs in the rear enough to affect the amount of lift that the Wheeler's or Icon AAL will give me? Should I look into something else?"

Maybe a quarter-half inch difference in height, but like someone above said, probably imperceptible.