All-Pro Leaf Springs

Hey all,

I just picked up a set of the all-pro expedition weight leaf spring packs to help out when I am using the Yota to tow the boat. I am running a 3 in lift in the front of the vehicle and would like to maintain a level stance in the rear. My question is because the new springs are so much beefier than my originals if anyone had any idea what size lift block I would require. I assume it will probably be a 2in to maintain that level stance. My original plan was to slap the leafs on there first then put the truck back on the ground then measure and decide from there. But if anyone has some experience with this or a similar situation that would save me from having to do it twice I would greatly appreciate it.

-Schim

 

Welcome to TW!

I have their expedition leaf springs and got close to 2.75 inches of lift in the rear after settling. I have about 3 inches of lift in the front and it sits with a very slight rake. Personally I think you'll be fine with keeping a level stance without a block lift, but if the boat causes too much drop (which probably won't happen) then I'd look into adding airbags as opposed to blocks.

 

Thank you Bradley for your input it is greatly appreciated!

 

All Pro Expos should lift you pretty high in the rear if you're not carrying a constant heavyish load in the bed...I would install them and see where it sits. I doubt you'll need to do anything to level it, if anything it may actually sit a bit higher than the front at least until they settle.

 

*Thread revival.

Anybody else have any feed back on the All Pro Expos? Specifically how well they hold up over time. Looking for springs that are going to hold an arch and not flatten (much) over time.

 

I’ve got the expedition weight pack. Had it for 2 years w/o sag w constant load of a high top camper shell and a swing out bike rack, probably = 300ish lbs. I Live in the SE so no salt but it is showing some surface rust. but it is silent (no squeaks) when compared to some peoples OME leafs

 

I’m between the standard and expeditions. Are they really necessary for a daily driven rig? The standards have the same capacity as oe, if not better right? Which are plenty to pull a 3.5k trailer or a boat in my experience. It seems worth experiencing a little sag on the occasional loaded up camping trip for a better ride on a daily basis. I don’t want to run around with sand bags when I’m not towing or expeditioning. Thoughts? Am I way off?

 

@JadeTRD little thread revival here… what did you end up going with as far as expo vs standard? I’m in the same boat as you. I don’t carry any weight around 90% the time so I’m leaning standard.

 

I ended up going with the Expeditions and I’m glad I did! There is a slight rake when not loaded down or towing, but it doesn’t bother me and I’ve got snugtop shell I run most of the time, unless I’m moving dirt/gravel/bark.

I spoke with the vendor and they said the standards did not have the same weight capacity and focused more on flex. The expeditions were great on my week long off-roading trip loaded down with 700lbs+ of gear and a RTT. They still had plenty of travel and were comfortable when paired with the fox 2.0 smooth body shocks. I’ve also towed without issue, and went on a family road trip from WA to Yosemite and they handled well on the highway. It’s a firm set up, but not harsh. It rides tight like it should and I’m no longer hitting bump stops unloaded on the freeway. Make sure to buy the super bumps so you don’t over compress the new shocks. Also, I bought the ARB extended Dakar u bolts because the stock ones are too short.

I bought this kit: It was all straight forward R&R. The hardest part was removing the old fused leaf spring hanger bolts. Ended up cutting them off with a reciprocating saw.

I also bought an extended proportioning valve bracket off of Amazon. I should just do a build write up.

Supreme Suspensions - Brake Line Anti Skid Valve Drop Bracket for Toyota Tacoma and Tundra (2WD 4WD) Pro

$20 Supreme Suspensions - Brake Line Anti Skid Valve Drop Bracket for Toyota Tacoma and Tundra (2WD 4WD) Pro

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N93GKDM

 

Really appreciate the thorough response! I’ve read in a different thread (trying to find it) where another person went with expedition springs in a similar situation and was saying the ride was way too harsh. That’s my main concern. I really don’t carry any weight in the back unless I’m camping, and that only amounts to a few hundred pounds.

I may eventually do a RTT and a bed rack but that’s about as far as I’d take it. I have bilstein 6112 and 5160 to add to the truck (and superbumps front and rear) but have gone back and forth on if I should replace the leaf springs or not. I bought my taco used and I think the previous owner had a AAL or something because the current leafs don’t look stock to me. I count 6 + the overland.

A long way to say im in between replacing the leafs entirely wjth standard vs expedition or just not replacing them yet and seeing how the new bilsteins change the ride. i digress….

 

Yeah those look like an AAL situation to me. You’re lucky they aren’t frowning yet! My were starting to frown at 65,000 miles so I replaced at 71,000. I’m only at 78,000 now. Nice frame by the way!

sounds like standard might be a good call for you, or maybe even the icon leaf pack if comfort is a big factor.


Fully loaded and coils set at around 2.5 lift with bumper and winch.

Canopy only, front lifted to 2.75” to ease cv angles, compared to a new stock trd

No canopy, no load, front lifted to 3,” no winch. This does feel a bit bouncier, but with recommended air pressure it calms down.

Canopy, no winch, coils set around 2.75” to ease cv angles

 

@JadeTRD youre the man. Love the OG taco. Especially that picture next to the 3rd gen in the parking lot. They don’t make ‘em like they used too

I think I’ll go with a medium duty leaf pack - icon seems like a solid option. There is also a company (ATSSPRINGS) that has been mentioned on Tacoma world. Here are a couple of old threads: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-now-available-made-in-the-usa.539958/page-14
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-best-aftermarket-leaf-packs.659052/

Those who installed them have been really happy. I ended up finding a sale for the icon rxt leafs and there is a whole thread on them. I like the fact that the pack comes with an extra leaf that can be added at a later date for extra capacity… your quick recommendation made me think to give that pack a thorough review. Thank you!
If you end up posting a build thread, holler! Cheers.

 

Do you have a pic of the bracket? Right now my brackets are wired up out of the way. I concur that the Exped 2.0s are sweet. I love the firm ride and no more sag! Running an Ikamper 3.0 with a Voodoo bed rack and retrax top.

 

Yep, I just used this bracket from Amazon. It would be really simple to make if you had some material and a tap and die set.

I meant to say this was to extend the proportioning valve. It may not be necessary but it gave me peace of mind.

Supreme Suspensions - Brake Line Anti Skid Valve Drop Bracket for Toyota Tacoma and Tundra (2WD 4WD) Pro

$20 Supreme Suspensions - Brake Line Anti Skid Valve Drop Bracket for Toyota Tacoma and Tundra (2WD 4WD) Pro

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N93GKDM

 

Update: they squeak like hell. They’re pinned together so can’t remove them and replace the worn out anti-friction pads

 

Take them off-road on a dusty trail and they should quiet down! I made the mistake off spraying some lubricant on them and they started squeaking like crazy. Washed off with soap then took them off-road and now they are silent again.

how old are they that the friction of wore out? I’d contact all-pro. They have good customer service.

 

I wonder if a dry graphite lubricant would help.

 

It’s worth a shot. Just don’t use silicon.

 

Tried it, no help. I’m gonna try some white lithium spray grease. Leafs are 3 years old, squeaks are @ 6-8mo old. My truck sounds like my buddies 87 4-runner, but at least I have AC.

 

Welcome to the mob....
I can't speak for All Pro springs, didn't go that route. I went with OME/ARB expedition pack w/AAL, and later added a set of Icon progressive overloads. I set them up along the same lines as Phessor did, opted not to remove the OEM overloads. I like the ride, both before and after the Icon addition. The main reason I went with the Icon overload pack is that I frequently tow either a box trailer or a 10' utility trailer and regardless of load or empty, the Tacoma still had the Toyota sag going on.
I also generally haul 300-600# in the back of the truck + topper. Now even with an additional 400# of wood pellets in the back it sits pretty good.

Also with the older Tacomas', one has to deal with the parking brake cable/leaf spring conflict( i don't think yours will have that issue. I had to fab a BPV bracket, as well as raising the cable guides:

These pics are post front axle replacement and new Falken Wildpeaks 255/85 R16 on stock Toyota rims.
Feels very planted on the road , even when empty.
good luck in your coice...