Advice on Deaver leaf springs + Bilstein

Hoping for some help picking the right leaf springs and shock combination.

Truck:
2017 Tacoma TRD Sport long bed.

Mods:
2" block lift + Bilstein 5100's. Installed when the truck was new.

Bed Weight:
I run a Snugtop canopy full time that never comes off. Installed when the truck was new.
40% of my driving includes about 200 lbs of scuba tanks/equipment in the bed.

City/Offroad:
For the first couple of years, I would do two 1500 mile trips a year pulling a side-by-side on trailer with a heavily loaded bed.

These days, I no longer pull a trailer and don't do 1500 mile trips.
Limited offroad driving. I do occasionally traverse offroad trails, with full bed weight, to get to remote dive sites.

Observations:
Even with no scuba equipment in the back, I find the ride very soft in the rear end. Fully loaded there's not much clearance before the bumps engage.
Driver side shock is leaking.

Proposed Plan:
I would like to replace the 2" rear lift blocks with upgraded leaf springs that add 2" lift.
Also in the plan, is to replace the shocks.

Advice
After a bit of research, I'm considering the Deaver U402 leaf springs and Bilstein 5100's. Remove the 2" block lift and use the leaf springs to restore the 2" lift.
Does this sound like a viable combination, or should I be looking at different leaf springs/shocks?
Also, The U402's come in 3 stages.
Stage 1: 0-300lbs
Stage 2: 400-600lbs
Stage 3: 700-1000lbs

I'd estimate my bed weight to be about 200lbs (canopy) for 60% of my driving and 400lbs (canopy + gear) 40% of my driving. This puts me in between Stage 1 and 2. Does anyone have experience with similar bed weight that could help guide me?

 

I'd probably go with Stage 2. I originally thought I'd go with that, but was convinced to step up to Stage 3 by a friend. It's been perfect for me.

Before my camper I had a 350lb AT habitat topper, +300 pounds of other constant cargo + heavy swingout bumper and sliders, and I rode a bit higher than stock ( I wasn't looking for lift). I also towed a flatbed car trailer with SxS and ATV regularly. Now when I do all that with the camper it sags just a bit in the rear fully loaded with trailer. Can't get much better than that if you ask me. Now running empty, my back end looks like it's got a 6 inch lift, lol, and rides bad.

With you wanting 2 inches of lift with load, I'd go with Stage 2. I also bet you are heavier than you expect. Have you actually weighed your truck? It amazes me that my truck is pretty much at GVWR with just me and my wife in it and my regular junk stored in the back seat (obviously I have armor, too). No matter how I do the math on paper, I'm always EXTREMELY low on paper versus what the scales read.

 

Thanks YR_Ryan. You got me thinking. I have a heavy Toyota rubber bed mat in the back that isn't light. Also mini-compressor, tow ropes, fold down shovel and various other gear behind the back seat. 95% of my driving is with a passenger onboard too. I'm thinking the further forward in the truck weight is distributed, the less bed weight, but it still contributes some component to the bed load. I suppose it all adds up, and I probably would be surprised at the scale.

 

As mentioned above, getting your laden rig weighed will give you actual data to go with when choosing suspension parts.
I'm running Deaver stage 3 springs in the rear of my dedicated travel rig and they are amazing both off and off pavement.

Cheers

 

I have the Stage 3s on my truck right now as well.
I am waiting on some other parts, but I really like how the Stage 3 leafs have changed the ride profile as well as giving me a bit more rake (while unloaded)