1st Gen leafs worn or norm?

Just put some 5100's in with good results (so far). Now it's time for the back end. I considered doing all new leafs after I really looked at mine as they are flat. But the tire shop guy was telling me that Tacoma leaf springs when new didn't have much curve. So I'm wondering if mine are in decent shape still and if I should just do a 1" aal. Any insight?

 

Sub'd for response. Mine are flat as well and a good friend of mine recommended just installing a AAL and not replacing the leaf springs entirely. Seemed weird but I'm not sure if this is common?

 

Yeah if the leafs are worn it kind of seems like they would just drag down the add a leaf with them...I'm sure it would help some but I don't know if I would get the lift back

 

Some Pictures might provide more insight for this

 

Taco springs suck but they should have positive arch if you're unloaded.

 

6 lug Tacomas (Prerunners and 4x4s) are 'spring over axle' SOA setups...which generally results in flatter looking leaf springs. 5 lug Tacomas have SUA (spring under axle) setups and their leaf springs typically have much more arch to them.

Flat looking leafs especially the stock ones is normal, but if they start to get a negative arch to them or start to look wavy, then they need to be replaced.

If you suspect they're old and tired then I would not recommend adding an AAL to them, that's just a temporary band aid solution. Best thing to do is to get a fresh new leaf pack.

 

Yeah that was my thinking. I will get a pic up in a bit @eon_blue @codosa

 

Not the best but here is a pic

 

Pics before and after adding a 1.5" aal. Resulted in about 2.25" lift. Really happy with the result (but the lift was a little more than I wanted). I do not typically load the bed up with anything other than the odd trip to the lumber store or some furniture helping people move stuff. I don't carry any constant load like tools, gear, etc..

 

Your leafs seem much better in the second picture, however AAL will only bandaid the problem if your original leafs were starting to sag. Hard to tell but they didn't look like they were in terrible shape before your AAL. PS the leaf on the bottom with the negative arch is called an overload leaf spring. It is meant to have that negative angle because when the rest of the upper stack is under full load, that leaf will actually flatted out to help support the load. How does the ride feel so far?

 

The ride is stiffer than before the "refresh" but not bone jarring. I also put 5100s on the front in the middle setting with the stock coils (one of my front shocks was blown and clunking which sent me down the rabbit hole in the first place that included lbj's, sway bar links, suspension, etc...). So stiffer all the way around but it's a good 4x4 truck feel. I'll take the $70 aal band aid over the $400-$500 new spring set and replace that band aid every few years if I have to. If you're constantly loaded up with rack, RTT, camping or work gear, etc... aal might not be the way to go but for my use it's worked out pretty well.