1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

AAL vs Hellwig vs Sumo

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Marius, Jan 29, 2019.

  1. Jan 29, 2019 at 5:10 PM
    #1
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••
    AAL vs Hellwig Helper Spring (980 ez-level) vs SummoSpring (SSR-610-40)
    For a Long bed with permanently mounted cap and sleeping platform/storage drawers.

    What are your thoughts?
    I'm looking for a cost-effective and noob friendly install.

    Leaning towards Sumos atm. In a few years, I may put Dakars in.
    Not looking to lift the truck.

    Did you modify your suspension after installing a cap?

    My setup:
    DXdMPJb44pVSVNhgvY5VFLDE2QpsMrfLPY-I6hVv_e53fbaf3a203c4ae119eb9bb3d97d0a112d2ab7b.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2019
    eurowner likes this.
  2. Feb 1, 2019 at 12:13 PM
    #2
    na8rboy

    na8rboy 18 DCLB Sport Cement

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2012
    Member:
    #80024
    Messages:
    3,603
    WI
    Vehicle:
    18 DCLB SPORT CEMENT
    Well, if your not looking to lift at all. Forget about add-a-leaf. Sumo, will help. You most likely be sitting on Sumo whole time, but it's progressive. I don't know much on Hellwig, but other here are running them for same reason you want. To me it seems cheap fix. But that's my opinion.
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.
  3. Feb 1, 2019 at 12:15 PM
    #3
    kgilly

    kgilly Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2016
    Member:
    #192937
    Messages:
    1,603
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kurt
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2016 DCSB SR5 4x4
    Bed cover and Mud flaps, OEM Audio, Super Bump stops, Sumo Springs, Bed Stiffeners, Stryker hood shocks
    i have SS on mine and load it down alot with no issues and will be getting a cap later this year so i will see what happens, may just upgrade to higher rated SS.
     
    Marius[OP] and na8rboy like this.
  4. Feb 1, 2019 at 12:38 PM
    #4
    dawgstoy

    dawgstoy Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2017
    Member:
    #212941
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    21 SR V6 4x4
    I went with the SumoSprings. Simple, affordable, and a fairly easy DIY install. My truck sits level even with a cap, bedslide, and cargo. Installed them over 2 years ago and have no regrets.
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.
  5. Feb 1, 2019 at 12:42 PM
    #5
    elduder

    elduder Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    Member:
    #166771
    Messages:
    1,858
    Gender:
    Male
    Van WA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Voodoo Blue Tundra TRD Pro
    AAL... I had sumos, I remember them not being as soft as I'd hoped when they did make contact . AAL is cheaper than sumos too. I know plenty of people that did nothing though when adding a cap as well.
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.
  6. Feb 1, 2019 at 1:12 PM
    #6
    AMOORE_93

    AMOORE_93 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2018
    Member:
    #258195
    Messages:
    135
    Gender:
    Male
    Richmond, va
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma 4x4 Offroad
    I've been on sumos for a few months. Little stiff but def work and inexpensive.
     
  7. Feb 1, 2019 at 1:20 PM
    #7
    FlyFisherCJ

    FlyFisherCJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2016
    Member:
    #197786
    Messages:
    212
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cameron
    Twin Falls ID
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD OR DCLB
    I've been running the Hellwig helper spring for a year now. It did the job, and got me back to factory rake. I have a fiberglass shell and Decked toolbox carrying plenty of weight. Before the helper spring I had the Cali lean going on..... But I've been pleased so far. It squeaks, but expected. I have saved up money and will be doing a full suspension upgrade with a heavy duty Dakar leaf pack here shortly....

    Just my 2 cents! good luck.

    Resized_IMG_20180729_111431_866_7487.jpg
     
    Rick111 and Marius[OP] like this.
  8. Feb 1, 2019 at 1:35 PM
    #8
    Wasatchrider

    Wasatchrider Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2018
    Member:
    #268308
    Messages:
    282
    Gender:
    Male
    I have sumo 78EE48B7-41AD-432F-B5DB-738241A7AC33.jpg
     
    Marius[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  9. Feb 1, 2019 at 2:05 PM
    #9
    Marcmtb1

    Marcmtb1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Member:
    #133029
    Messages:
    781
    Gender:
    Male
    PHX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma TRD OR DCSB 4x4
    5100/885 w/ 1/4 lean spacer, Icon RXT w/ B110’s, 255/80/17 FWP, AP Apex Sliders, KDMax 87, ADD W1, BD mirror riser
    I’d recommend a single leaf add a leaf (long ones!) for spring arch. Maybe the SS’s if you tow. With the cap it should sit near stock height, maybe 3/4 high.

    The truck will ride on the SS 100% of time without an AAL, to the point it will lift the back. The stock shocks can’t handle the spring rate of that, so it bounces all over the place.

    I currently have a DCSB with an A.R.E Overland and SS’s cut one wafer shorter. It didn’t sit on them before the cap and that worked well. It now rides on them all the time and is not comfy at all.

    I just ordered Icon RXT springs, 5100’s and 885’s bc I couldn’t take it anymore.
     
    Gen3TacomaOBX and Marius[OP] like this.
  10. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:37 PM
    #10
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••
    Thanks!
     
  11. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:39 PM
    #11
    Jason TRD OR

    Jason TRD OR SIBI BUILT LLC

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Member:
    #211030
    Messages:
    1,361
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Sibi Built LLC Placentia, CA
    Vehicle:
    16 Tacoma TRD Off Road 4X4
    King suspension w/ compression adjusters custom valving and 700# coils. Icon DJ uca. Icon RXT leafs Option #3. Durobumps. Demello rock sliders. Demello 30” Light Bar Baja Hoop bumper with Smittybuilt X2O winch w/ Amber baja design fogs w/ single row Baja Designs S8 amber light bar. Brute force Fab HC rear bumper. Behind Grille Light bar. TRD Pro Skid plate. Pelfrey Mid and Transfer case skid. TC spindle and cam tab gussets. Pop and lock. Method NV wheels 16”. SpiderTrax 1.25” wheel adapters. Yokohama Geolandar M/T (315/75/16). CMC. Radiator core reinforcement. Pro grille. Tailgate inlays. Baja Designs A pillar Ditch lights. Leer 100 XQ shell w/ power locks. In bed mounted spare. Blacked out emblems. Bed Mat. Bed Stiffeners. K&N air filter. Black Headlight Mod w/ LED projectors. Wrap Armor Anti glare hood and bedside decals. American flag decals. Northstar 24F AGM Pro battery. Differential breather relocate to rear tail light. Prinsu Designs Cabrack and Cap rack. OVTUNE Sibi Custom performance 4.88 91 fuel AGM . Nitro Gear 4:88 gears. Mountain hatch tailgate insert. In bed mounted Krazy Beaver shovel with Relentless quick fist bedrail mounts. MESO ultimate turn signals. AJT Designs Quicksand Key Fob. ECGS front needle bearing bushing replacement. Tepui LoPro 2 RTT.
    Icon rxt and u can adjust the leaf spring rate to what sits best for you
     
    Marcmtb1 and Marius[OP] like this.
  12. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:39 PM
    #12
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••
    Thanks!
     
  13. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:43 PM
    #13
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••
    I was thinking about AAL, but do you need to do an alignment after the install? Also - did you have to level the front as well?
    I understand it's a better option overall, but I don't think I can install it myself on my driveway and I'm not ready to upgrade the front yet.
     
  14. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:49 PM
    #14
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2016
    Member:
    #181592
    Messages:
    8,983
    Gender:
    Male
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    Aprilia Tuareg 660
    An AAL can be installed in your driveway with pretty basic hand tools. Depending on what you have you might need to buy a few extra sockets and maybe a torque wrench but that’s it. The AAL should bring you back to roughly the stock height when compared rear to front and be a more comfortable ride than the sumo springs. If you don’t haul/tow a lot of weight a 3 leaf progressive would be a good choice to retain ride comfort and maintain the height you want with the cap on.
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.
  15. Feb 1, 2019 at 8:50 PM
    #15
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••
    Which model of Helwig did you install?
    there are only 2 reviews on those: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QWWRBO...olid=1Q77ZIC5Z1BPP&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
    but guys seem to be pretty happy with them.
    They seem to be easy enough to install too.
    Can you grease them to avoid the squeak?
     
    FlyFisherCJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Feb 1, 2019 at 9:01 PM
    #16
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••

    Ultimately - that's the goal, but I want to avoid any extra spending and ride the stock suspension till it needs a service. I figured Sumos will get me through for the next few years. As far as comfort goes - is it just more "bumpy". Tacoma is my first truck and it's way more "cushy" than my previous suv.
     
  17. Feb 1, 2019 at 9:06 PM
    #17
    Marius

    Marius [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2018
    Member:
    #266191
    Messages:
    229
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '17 DCLB OR 4x4
    •••
    I'll read on that some more. I just want to avoid taking my truck apart too much and don't want to touch the front at all at the moment.
     
  18. Feb 1, 2019 at 9:38 PM
    #18
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2017
    Member:
    #226018
    Messages:
    7,095
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Norcal, Santa Rosa
    Vehicle:
    2014 5-lug AC 2.7L VVTI
    Snug top Rebel, Thule tracks, ditch tracks, Bagged rear suspension, F/R anytime camera, intermittent wiper switch...
    I have a cap and normally carry my carpentry tools in a deck/drawer system but also sometimes pull that to carry heavy loads of debris or sackrete so I opted for Ride-rite air bags in place of the bump stops. I like that I can tune the spring rate to match the load. Not for everyone but fits my needs to a tee.
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.
  19. Feb 2, 2019 at 5:26 AM
    #19
    Landpirate

    Landpirate Strong like horse, smart like tractor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2018
    Member:
    #259719
    Messages:
    951
    Gender:
    Male
    North Texas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma BBP SR5 4x4 DCSB
    OME HD leafs, 5100s, CaliRaised skids, UpTop Overland Bravo, KB Voodoo rack, Overlander RTT/awning, DECKED
    That's the direction that I'm going in. I have a bed rack and RTT along with a Decked system, so a little under 390 pounds plus some tools in the back. I have to be able to fit into two parking garages that have a listed 7' clearance. I went to my offroad shop and asked them what would help with the added weight but wouldn't lift the rear end. They suggested the Air Lift Ride Control or the Ride-rites to help prevent bottoming out and spring wear without having to lift, or being able to settle the rear for clearance if needed. The Ride Control is about $275, and is an easy install.
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.
  20. Feb 2, 2019 at 5:29 AM
    #20
    btaco623

    btaco623 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
    Member:
    #226285
    Messages:
    117
    Gender:
    Male
    Central Ohio
    Vehicle:
    '17 TRDOR
    Hood Blackout, 5100,LED Low's, SuperSprings
    Had the hellwig 980- squeaks, clacks, crushes silencer pads, hardware rusts like crazy, not a great fit/finish. Went to sumo, love them!
     
    Marius[OP] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top