AAL or spring pack identification needed

Just picked up a 2016 TRD OR DCSB that has Kings front and rear with what looks to be an AAL or replacement pack of some sort. No stickers I can see anywhere, only 2165 AB marked on the driver’s side top leaf. Stock is 2 or 3 + overload? It appears this pack is 6 + overload. Looking to figure out what leaf setup without disassembling the whole thing in order to find out.

This is a daily driver primarily that sees some bed utility but no towing or regular hauling of heavy loads. Ultimately I’d like to make the ride a little more forgiving and bring the lift down a little. Maybe that means taking out a leaf or two, or play it safe and order a progressive 3 leaf AAL pack. From what I’ve gathered, stock rear hub to fender is 22” and currently sitting at 23.75” at the Bushwacker flares, FWIW. Ideally I’d bring it down to 23” tops and soften the ride a bit. Seems like it is a heavier spring rate but I haven’t owned a leaf sprung truck in a long time. My 2000 4Runner has what’s considered a medium to borderline heavy rear coil spring rate (240 lbs, stock is ~170 lbs) and this rides firmer than that. Could be valving in the rear Kings, but doubtful. I’m thinking this Tacoma was set up for a shell and/ or overland gear. I purchased this truck at a used car lot so I have no specifics on it.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or insight on the current leaf setup.

 

Looks like a 3 leaf add a leaf.

 

Start off by removing that overload spring. See what that does for lift and ride quality

 

3 leaf AAL.

They technically aren't supposed to be installed with the stock overload, but many do so anyways. I would agree with removing that one, see if it improves. Depending on model, most AAL packs require cutting of the original retainer clip, so there's no returning to stock with it. Anything beyond removing the one overload will most likely require a full pack replacement.

 

The overload leaf acts only as a shim unless the truck is overloaded to the point the leaf touches the bottom of the other leafs. Removing the overload leaf will reduce height by the thickness of the leaf, but won't change the ride quality when the bed is empty.

@Dezert4Runner can try removing the two smaller leafs of the AAL pack, while keeping the top leaf of the AAL pack and the retainer on it.

I see you have BFG AT tires, probably heavy load range. Those will hurt ride quality the most over small pavement flaws (cracks, manhole covers) due to the thicker sidewalls. Drop the tire pressures lower - 30 front, 28 rear is a good starting point.

 

Overload doesn’t affect ride quality IMO. removing it will lower rear 1/2”. Also see if your kings have been tuned for that rig. Accutune tuned stickers would be on them

 

Couple recommendations for removing the overload and one for only removing the two lower AAL. Not too sure which one to follow through with lol.

@3JOH22A Good guess on the LR E tires. I did consider lowering the pressure on them at least a few psi. Currently sitting at 39-40 psi. My 4Runner has the same tires in a 315/70/17 LR C and they’re at 35 psi and ride pretty good there with a good contact patch. I’ll probably bump down to low 30’s and chalk the wheels to see what the contact patch looks like on these ones. I can definitively say that most of my observations on the firm ride isn’t tire based but more so when going over sharper or bigger dips and speed bumps. It’s spring related unless the valving was customized (poorly) when the replacement pin top Kings were installed, which have a harder time believing. The rear end just doesn’t seem to be compressing or flexing as much as I think it should for stock rear weight.