Couple Leaf Pack Questions

No kidding... Stay tuned, I may end up buying a new leaf pack before you! I'm going to see if there are any local guys that do custom leaf packs to avoid shipping, if not, I'll give Wheelers a call and see what my options (and prices) will be.

 

I'm kind of torn between new leaf pack and air bags. I was just going to go ahead and get the leaf pack when I read on here that someone had the OME or Alcan (I cannot remember which), did little towing/hauling and after a year he was sagging once again. Let me know what wheelers say.

 

Will do, but I was on Alcan's website this morning and put in a quote request for a custom leaf pack. They ask for the lift, daily load, useage, etc. I'll see what they come back with. I put that I wanted stock height with 300 lbs in the bed at all times and would occassionally be able to tow/haul fairly heavy (650-700 lbs or a trailer with a 500 lb tongue weight). They've got left over leaf packs for sale in the $300 range so I'm guessing I'll be $4-500 for what I asked about. For my use, I don't think I need air bags but I'm keeping them on the list...

 

Puggtiona, please keep us posted for I am in the same situation.

 

Pugga sorry for the misprint in the post above.

 

Jeeezus, what are you hauling that requires 2 overloads ?? just curious

 

Heavy stuff

 

I knew you'd have a good answer OZ, seems like it'd drive like a pogo stick

But from my own spring experience these newer Toyotas (mine included) have absolute shit for springs, my '83 straight axle's springs never sagged or warped out of shape...

 

Huh, the Dakars come with 2 , wow learn something everyday here, yeah loaded down & towing shit will def. keep your springs busy...

 

Will do, right now I'm trying to get a new TSB pack from another member and I'll put an AAL in when I install it to go pro-active with the settling problem. I'm thinking about the 1.5" Wheelers progressive AAL along with the TSB pack and leaving the overload in place. I'll let you know once I get it all figured out and post pictures of the before and after.

 

+2 on that and...........a big fat for today's quality.

 

Agreed... I'm pretty disappointed. I called Toyota Customer Service, and because I already had the TSB completed and am out of warranty, there's nothing they can do (wasn't really a big shocker there). Looks like this one is coming out of my pocket but at least I can build up the leaf pack they should have put in the truck to begin with!

 

Quick in-progress update... I decided to upgrade a new(ish) TSB leaf pack to replace my flattened out one. I'm putting in an Icon 3-leaf Progressive AAL into the TSB pack and keeping the overload leaf also. I'm installing the new leaf packs next weekend along with front 5100's and Eibach coils that have been sitting in my living room for a while now. Should be like a brand new truck when all is said and done

Side note, I underestimated the install of the 3-leaf AAL. Make sure you have an angle grinder to cut off the stock leaf pack wraps. I began the install without an angle grinder and had to call it quits until I can get ahold of one.

 

Everything's on the truck and it rides awesome!! I've got to get it aligned Monday but so far I couldn't be happier with the results! I gained 3" in the back from my old flattened leaf pack and just under 2" up front with the 5100's and Eibach coils. Install wasn't terrible, the fronts were actually easier than the back (coils and shocks were pre-assembled) and the whole job took between 4 - 5 hours with my dad and I working on it. Although, now I do have a slight shutter between 5 and 10 mph. I'm hoping an alignment will help, if not, I'll try either shims or the CB drop.

 

Mike, it's been 4+ months since you did your suspension upgrade. How'd it all work out and what is your impression of the ride now that you've had time to evaluate it? Would you do anything differently? Is the ride harsh in comparison to the way was before?

 

I'm happy to say I've got absolutely no regrets! I've got a slight vibration that seems to come and go that I can't pinpoint but it's not even bad enough for me to be concerned about it. On very choppy city streets you can definitely notice the front suspension being stiffer but the shocks do a great job dampening and keeping the truck from bouncing. Nose diving under breaking and truck roll in corners is greatly reduced and hardly noticable anymore. The rear set-up I couldn't be happier with. The 3-leaf AAL is a great product and well worth the extra money over a single AAL. It's got a nice, smooth ride unloaded and I've also towed and hauled with it several time since the install and I can say it supports weight very well.

The only part I would remotely consider doing differently is the front. I went back and forth between Eibach coils and OME coils. I eventually went with Eibach because a great deal came along and I was able to pick a set up preassembled and cheap. For a smoother ride in the city with massive potholes everywhere, I might have gone with OME coils because of the lower spring rate. Already owning the Eibachs though, I wouldn't consider swapping them out until the 5100's need replacing.

Plus, I love the new stance! I've got quite a bit of rake because I kept the overload leaf in the rear, but for me that's a good thing since I do put it to use. I gained just under 2" up front and right at 2" in the rear.

 

Thanks for the update! I'm glad to hear that it all worked out for you. I've been reading so many threads on suspensions that I just can't absorb all of the information. I'd like to make some changes, because I'm regularly hauling or towing something, but I really don't want a rough ride when I'm not. I would also rather not have much of a lift. Perhaps airbags would be the best option for me. I just don't know.

 

I'm trying to wrap my head around the axle pin alignment thing, you do realize that the head of the pin only protrudes about 3/8" from bottom of spring which is more than enough to drop into top of axle, by shimming it down further you stand a good chance of shearing it off all together (been there done did that) just a heads up ....

 

How much lift are you looking for and what do you want to spend? I've got one of the shorter lifts you can get with an AAL and replacement coils.