About to pull the trigger on rear suspension. Help.

I was gonna go with the 3 leaf AAL but am interested in the Dakar medium duty leaf replacement pack. Which one should I go with? I’ve got the money for either. Just seeing what’s the best

 

Get the Dakar heavy duty pack and remove a leaf if it's too stiff or tall.

 

Even if I’m not gonna have any weight in the rear? If I remove a leaf will I still get the same amount of lift?

 

So, the Dakars are a great option for a full replacemnet leaf pack. It will carry heavier loads, and prevent the sag you will get with weak facotry leaves.

Now, since you have a 2018 and have said you don't plan on leaving weight in the bed every day, I would say an AAL is your best option. If your planning on eventually loading the bed down with steel bumpers, and all the cool gadgets, then you may want to get the Dakars now so your not redoing your rear suspension.

 

• The "Medium Duty" leaf pack will provide approx. 2.75" lift (2005-2015 Tacoma) or 2.0" lift(2016+ Tacoma) while supporting 0 lbs - GVW
• The "Heavy Duty" leaf pack will provide approx. 2.75" lift (2005-2015 Tacoma) or 2.0" lift (2016+ Tacoma) while supporting a constant load of 660 lbs.

www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p462/Old_Man_Emu_Dakar_Leaf_Package_-_DakarPKG.html

 

That’s why I was looking at the AAL instead. I live in central Kentucky so I don’t have much opportunities to do overlanding or anything. I’m not to big on the bed topper look either. Will I get the same lift with AAL’s as I would with the Dakar’s?

 

No, I think the consensus is about 1.5 - 2.0 inches with the AAL.

 

A lot of people are happy with an AAL, but I don't like the weak factory springs. Mine are drooping and frowning at me, so I'll be pulling them out and installing a full pack.

 

www.nationalspringinc.com
Over 150 years in the business.
Military wrapped end, and made in America with American steel.

 

How long did it take for them to start sagging?

 

A year. Adding a shell and sleeping platform didn't help.

 

Medium duty Dakar, remove bigger overload. Perfect rear height with an empty bed to compliment 1.75 to 2 inches of front lift. I'm loving it.

If down the road I add a shell and weight, I can always put the big overload back in