Deaver stage 3 leaf springs- truck has a phat butt

Hey all,

Looking for a little advice on getting my payload under control in my 23 pro. Carrying a bunch of weight static in the bed now (RSI smartcap, frontrunner rack, solar panels, fridge/slide, power station, recovery gear etc) and am looking into some new leaf springs to support the load. Currently carrying around 500lb full time, and with my toolboxes and basic camp gear its easily 700-800 full time in the back. So im sagging.

Question is, I have a pro so I was hoping to just run my Fox suspension for as long as I can until I upgrade to new shocks all around someday, but clearly I am going to have to upgrade my leafs now... can I replace my current stock leafs with the deaver stage 3 and not get new rear shocks? The Deavers add about 2" lift by themselves, and im sagging roughly 1.5 inches so that would probably just get me back to level as long as the current rear shocks can be used.

Im not a mechanic, but I have turned a few wrenches in my day and spent time at youtube university, so Im fairly confident on the install aside from the question of if my current shock setup will still fit with the extra 2 inches on the bigger leaf springs.

Im sure some of you here have similar issues or setup and was hoping for some ideas on what worked for you. I got too much junk in my trunk.

 

Your stock height springs will not be long enough at full travel. The deavers will add 2" of lift with 700lbs in the bed. That's 2" above stock height, which is 3.5" above your current sag height

 

Yes you can replace the leaf springs without replacing the shocks provided the leafs are intended to fit a taco.

Anyways, I suggest you ask Deaver for a more authoritative answer

 

This is a common misconception. The shocks limit down travel. The springs are only changing the ride height at rest. They don’t change the upper or lower limit of suspension travel. You might not get the full down travel the springs allow, but nothing bad will happen.

 

That was my understanding as well, I may get less down travel with the increased ride height but hopefully they still fit.

 

As an aside, your Fox shocks might already have slightly more travel than stock. If you put longer travel (universal fit) shocks on, then you need to consider bump stop, brake line length, shock mount relocation, and perhaps other things.

 

Except you don't want the shock to be the limiting factor, if you put a limiting strap it'll be fine. But just the shock, the shock will pull itself out in full droop

 

Desert racing trucks have limit straps. Stock trucks do not. On stock trucks the shock limits down travel.

OEM replacement springs and shocks are made to fit the truck without other modifications, with caveats.

 

Appreciate the insight, I will of course email Deaver as well before pulling the trigger, but from my research it seems the leaf pack will be the solution i'm looking for and I will likely replace the bumps too while im at it. Just hoping not to have to replace the whole shock setup too at this time.

 

If deaver says something contrary, please inform us.