Question About Suspension Upgrades

Hey Guys,

I'm very novice level when it comes to suspension components, so I look to y'all for advice.
I know there's a ton of posts and info about stuff, but it all seems overwhelming and goes over my head.

I currently have a Stage 4 ICON Set Up...

EXT TRAVEL 2.5 VS RR COILOVER KIT
TUBULAR UCA DJ KIT
1.5″

$190 ADD-A-LEAF KIT for 1995-2023 Toyota Tacoma - 21.5" Short AAL Set with Isolator Pads and Square Bend U-Bolts

ADD-A-LEAF KIT
0-1.5″ REAR 2.0 VS RR

I offroad a lot and am doing a Pre-Runner build. I would love to eventually do a LT set up, but that's a LOT of money and maintenance, so I'm looking to see what I can upgrade or add on that would help me eat up those whoops better.

I know some people talk about switching from AAL to the RXT leaf pack...
I know ICON has an S2 Secondary Shock package now, but I don't know if that is worth it.
I'd also love to get some TC LCAs too.

I love the ICON set up a lot, but the only thing I don't like is that it feels like the back end bucks pretty good. I know some people put sand bags and stuff to load the rear, but I was wondering if there was another way to fix this or if the RXT leaf would help this.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

To get the rear to cooperate, you’ll need more than leafs sadly. AAL is only for height adjustment, not performance enhancement.New hangers(Hammer hangers or similar) and a shock relocation are needed to keep the rear from bucking, although the factory mount locations limit overall travel. Deavers or others work great without a shock relocation, but that extra 4” of travel(from relocation kit) makes a world of a difference in the whoops. The RXT pack is not a good upgrade if your focused on range-of-travel performance, i would spend the extra $ on Deavers or similar(mil wrap ends). The RXT is best for simple off-roading/overland speed stuff(turtle pace). Overall the factory leafs are hot garbage and need to be replaced for any off-roading besides fire roads, even AAL is just a temporary bandaid on these trucks. Just my .02

 

Hell ya thanks! I'll look into a relocation kit. Sadly I'm not seeing any 2.5 x 12 ICONs though, but I'll figure that out another time.

 

Locked off-road is running a sale today, 10% off and free shipping. They are comparable to King/Icon but at a much better price(wish i had known about them prior to purchasing Kings). They have the smoothies with ext adjustable reservoirs for $490.
Almost forgot the link: https://www.lockedoffroad.com/colle...2-5-smooth-body-shocks?variant=42550705619188

 

Leaf springs are not designed for desert racing. They are designed to be a cheap, durable load carrying suspension. Fancy leaf springs, shocks, and relocation kits aren’t going to change the fundamental aspects of a leaf spring solid axle suspension. You need a linked or (better) trailing arm rear suspension if you want to go fast.

 

Truth

Nothing tougher than running whoops.

 

So you’re implying that leafs do not perform in the desert? Never heard that stance before, unless you’re talking trophy truck build which i understand the links and cantilever. There’s a reason why companies such as Icon,DirtKing,Allpro offer kits for the rear as i mentioned, and not cantilever 4 linked kits. Sure, you can pickup a Solo Motorsports build but that’s 20K in just parts(if you’ve got the coin, go for it) but then the truck is useless as a pickup. 90% of Trucks i see in the desert are leaf sprung, although there are some sweet custom linked builds too. SCORE(BAJA 500/1000) ran trucks with leafs for over 20 years, leafs work. Im unsure on the deserts in Minnesota, but SoCal has hundreds of miles of desert that I spend most of winter exploring. Just my .02

 

Yes I am saying no race trucks have leaf springs. Leaf springs are a very old invention that has survived to this day because it is a cheap, simple, durable, solution for a load carrying truck. There are many better suspension designs for going fast. Look at a trophy truck, side-by-side, 4 wheeler, dirt bike, or rally car. None have leaf springs. Trophy trucks retain the solid rear axle as far as I know, and I’m assuming that is because of durability as opposed to performance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_spring

 

I agree with you on links/coils on trophy trucks, BUT what the OP was asking was in regards to leaf sprung rear ends. Yes, links and multiple coil overs on each corner is how trophy truck or side by sides are built and they do perform excellent, but what does that have to do with the OPs question? Im not here to argue which is best, as i know which setup physically performs better in each situation without having to do a google/wiki search. Deavers and good shocks/coils will allow these trucks to run through desert trails, albeit not as fast as a can am or linked truck. Most people run leafs unless they have a 100K budget(Terracrew type builds), its like comparing apples to oranges Hombre.

 

RXT Leaf pack no issues for me. I’m not running fast or desert etc.. What are you deciding to go with OP?

 

In order for your suspension to work well in whoops it needs to cycle (allot further then normal), a leaf style rear spring isn't going to do that very well when the same suspension is also designed for the pavement. You can look at a trophy truck and see they have dialed in allot of sag along with the extra travel. Its sprung exactly according to the use, not to add camping gear or 4x8 sheets of plywood. Lots of travel, progressive spring rates and bypass shocks achieve the needed compliance. If you setup your truck to be great off road it's going to suck driving on the highway. Look at the body roll when a trophy truck makes a corner on the pavement. Extremely compliant suspension to the point it's almost dangerous on the road. Multiple smaller leafs (like a deavers leaf pack) will increase compliance which improves off road handling. The problem comes when you add speed, that increases the travel needs because the suspension is required to cycle further into the travel and that distance (travel) is needed to slow and stop the suspension's direction of travel. It's also why their bump stops cost more then most spend on shocks. Without adding travel you are trying to accomplish something the suspension wasn't designed for so handling sucks. Leafs can be made to work off road to an extent but without addl travel and good compliance you're starting at a huge disadvantage.

 

My point is that the ROI on shocks is very small. The rear end will still “buck”. It’s not the shocks fault. You might as well stay stock IMHO. I am speaking from experience.

 

Thank you guys for your inputs, I really appreciate it.

I don't have a lot of money to spend to make it a trophy truck (even though I would if I could haha). I was thinking going bump stops, then doing a shock relocation. Wouldn't the shock relocation and maybe a 14" or 16" give me more down travel to help with the whoops? The trailing arm system is pretty dope though, I never knew what that was called until now. I need to keep this somewhat practical though, at least to still have my motorcycles in.

 

You might need different leaf springs to take advantage of the extra shock travel. Don’t quote me, but I think the stock leafs are relatively droop limited.

Extra travel always helps, but I think shock relocation is typically done for added articulation during slow speed rock crawling. This is a goal I never fully understood because you can’t get an equal amount of articulation out of the IFS. Doesn’t that make the truck a bit “goofy footed”? Idk.

For go-fast springs, you might talk to Alcan to see what they recommend. I’m guessing you would want a low spring rate with perhaps slightly more arch to maintain ride height. The problem with leaf springs, is that there is no way to preload them to adjust ride height AFAIK.

https://www.alcanspring.com/

In any case, this all sounds expensive to me. I would just stay stock and buy a used side-by-side and trailer. lol