Deaver Expedition Leaf Pack Owners

Stage III w/ my 910lb camper. Them leafs don't play!

 

I currently have e rated 285 K02’s myself. Pretty good tire. I’m wondering if I go with Stage 2’s if I can just soften up my Kings to plush up the ride. I have adjustable resi’s.

 

They will still be on the stiff side. The adjustments on the kinds only adjust how many compression they have. It won't change the rate of the springs. If the truck is closer to stock go with stg1 if you plan to add some things stg 2 should be okay but will be on the stiffer side at first.

 

For anyone running the Stage 2s...

I have a u-bolt flip kit that's 7.75" long from Durobump. Will that work with new stage 2s? Or will I need to get longer u-bolts?

 

When I ordered new u-bolts for my stage 2 deavers wheelers off-road said to go up one size in the ubolts (leaf pack is thicker.) I don’t have a flip kit though. Will be using Sumo 612-40s when everything is installed.

 

You will need new ubolts $50 and Deaver will supply them. Just make sure you tell them its a flip kit and remind them 10x its a flip kit. Even if they send you it wrong they will send you the right ones. I asked, they had it on order but still send the wrong ones but sent me a set fairly quick. So make sure you have the right ones before starting.

 

I went with the Archive Flip Kit and the bolts were plenty long. I chopped the bolts at about 1/2” above the nut per the Archive instructions. I can measure for you later if you like.

 

A measurement would be awesome! Thank you!
According to Archives website their u-bolts are 8 1/2". So I may be cutting it close?

 

I measured about 7” from the bottom of the axle tube to the top of the flip plate. It maybe close.

 

I just got U-Bolts made this morning for my Timbren Flip kit with Deaver Stage IIs in a 9/16 and 8.75’ long and it was perfect. Top of the threads sat flush with my bump stop bucket.

 

I’m not doing a flip, but good to see, I’ve got new 8.75” u-bolts in my growing pile of upgrades.

 

Nice I’m thinking about going stage 3’s with my fwc. Does your camper stay on full time? How’s the ride when the camper is off?

 

Gen 2, not Gen 3, but here's my two cents:

I went with Stage 3 rather than Stage 2 at my HC rear bumper manufacturer's recommendation, based on the extra gas/tire/swingout weight all being off the ass end of the truck. I'm running Stage 3 with just a Softopper, rock sliders, and skid plates right now, while I wait for the bumper fabrication to be completed, and have driven about 1500 miles on it so far like this. It's a little stiff, but rides fine otherwise. The immediate before/after measurements were on the order of a 3.5-inch lift in the rear, so there's a good amount of rake, but no driveshaft vibes with the OME carrier bearing drop.

 

That’s great info thank you. I’m going stage 2 but I’m near the cusp of stage 1&2 daily so want a bit of added capacity but didn’t want to be rolling with 5”rear lift, and was slightly concerned with vibes despite hearing it is rare with Deavers.

 

I went stage 2. I have a RSI Topper that is about 160-180# and keep about 120# worth the other stuff regularly. It rides okay but it does ride way better when there is a lot of weight back there. I loaded up like 600# of random gear when I first installed them to settle them and they drove REALLY smooth. I plan to do drawers and a rear bumper at some point but I’ve considered removing a leaf on them until then. IMO, once you feel what they are supposed to feel like, they start to feel a little stiff unloaded.

 

Due to the logistics of where I live and having nowhere really to store the camper, mine is staying on the truck full time for the foreseeable future. That's the main reason why I opted for Stage III leafs. I would've probably have gone Stage II with airbags if I was going to take the camper on & off. I don't think they're playing around when they say Stage III's are for 700-1000lbs of constant weight. With my camper on, my backend is still pretty jacked up with them....

 

Thanks for the info. I’m running bags and an add a leaf right now but I want a heavier duty leaf pack but I do take my camper on and off

 

Have you tried giving Deaver a call and seeing what they say? I remember them telling me that they could build a custom set depending on a customers particular setup. I kinda wonder if I should've maybe went that way myself....

 

Got some vibration between 10-15mph after installing my Stage IIs. Anyone running shims? If so how many degrees. I’ve got about 250lbs (Leer Topper & Prinsu Top Rack) I’m willing to bet it would go away if I loaded up some more weight but ehh..

 

How much lift did you get? I'm doing the same with SPC UCAs. I have a longbed though so more weight there and with the cap. I have a bin in back with tools etc. that probably weighs 60lbs too.

They might settle a little if you just got them in.