98 Taco Rear Leaf Springs

Hey guys,

Just did an overhaul on the front end/suspension.
-Bilstein 4600’s all around with MOOG 81102 springs for front coilovers.
-New OEM Rack/Pinion
-Sway bar Links
-Lower Control Arms
-Upper Ball Joints
-CV Shafts
-Outer Tie Rods

I’ve driven it about 500 miles to let things settle out, and there is an obvious 1.5” sag in the rear. The leaf springs are original to the truck and obviously worn out and laying flat with zero load in bed. I’m assuming new leaf springs will solve this issue. What is the preferred replacement spring? This is a commuter truck, just want something good/reliable and somewhat pocket friendly.

Thanks

 

Most will say General Springs. But if you look at the part numbers on a site like Rock Auto and compare them, most of the rear leaf springs sold by the other typical suspects (dorman, etc..) all have the same part number. So pick whoever will ship them to you for free

Keep in mind, that while you are replacing the leaf springs, that you'll need some new hardware as well. U-Bolts are a must (they are single use), but just looking at your photos, you'll probably want new hanger hardware and new shackles and pins as well. Just look around for stock height replacements for that stuff, should be easily available.

 

What Andy said above is correct. I got my leaves and hardware from General Springs but I'm close enough to their DC shipping wasn't terrible. It's an easy enough job, took a couple hours per side and more than a few of my old favorite barley pop's.

I went with the stock height. They ride okay and are definitely better than my OEM that looked just as flat/tired as yours. But after all is said and done, I wish I would have went with the HD just for the extra load capacity.

 

I went with the stock height general springs. My truck has 200,000 miles on the stock rear leafs. When I replaced them with the general it lifted the rear about 1/2" and now has settled to about 1/4" of lift in the rear.

Unless you go the heavy duty, I don't think you are going to get 1 1/2" of lift in the rear to match your new coils. If you don't want the heavy duty, you might need to couple it with a block.

 

General Springs

I've installed a few sets for members here on their 1st Gen and they are the perfect OEM replacement

You'll net a little lift over stock height but it'll settle to stock height after a few thousand miles

 

I went with the stock height general spring one because the HDs were sold out for about a year and I didn’t know if they would come back in stock. They’ve been good to me. I’m in SoCal and found a few spring shops in Northern California but their shipping was twice or three times as much as it was from general springs which are based out of Colorado. I replaced them over a year ago and recently sold my camper shell a few weeks ago and I’m usually getting asked how much did I raise the rear still.