AAL vs OME Dakar Springs? (stock height)

I have a 98 taco that needs new rear springs.

Currently, the truck is sagging pretty hard in the rear

The truck has a topper + a platform and a set of drawers with tools in that adds 400-500lbs to the rear (sometimes more when camping).

I want to keep stock ride height so an AAL is the most cost-effective + logical. The driver-side pack has a broken leaf & I have read mixed reviews about AAL & stock leaf packs.

For the price of two new stock packs & an AAL, I could have a Dakar spring pack or similar. Will the Dakar pack sag enough with all the weight (500lbs?) or will it make my truck look like a stink bug? Can I remove a leaf from the Dakar pack to lower the ride height?

I'm not very interested in doing a junkyard Frankenstein pack. I know it's the cheapest but I live in the Rust Belt & new packs aren't that expensive.

 

4-500lbs constant is asking a lot of an AAL. With a new Dakar leaf pack, expect to see 4-5" over where you are now. It will settle a bit. Hard to say where it would end up. General Spring has a HD version of their OEM springs that may work well with the weight and wanting close to stock height.

https://www.generalspringkc.com/199...ner-rear-heavy-duty-leaf-spring-4-3-1-leaves/

This article will help if you have any questions/concerns.

https://adventuretaco.com/guide/replacing-leaf-springs-on-a-tacoma/

And a thread with a member who used the exact General HD Springs.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...prings-bilstein-5100-install-overview.814316/

 

Toytec has started selling rear leaf packs that seem a good fit for my use, haven't ordered them yet, but you might want to check them out.

 

That General Spring option looks perfect. new spring pack for a decent price with upgraded capacity. Thanks!