Deavers stage 1 or 2 ? Leaf springs

I know this has been talked About a good amount but was wondering if anyone had a similar set up to me for comparison.

I have read for dayysss on here about every thread related but still haven't quite found a solid answer either way.

I have a 2011 access cab, long bed, manual transmission. with about 2.5 inches front lift and toy tech AAL in the rear. Going to switch to deavers. I have on at all times a leer 180, The taller one . And a full size spare. I figure this puts me at about 250lbs or so. And the deavers is suggested weight up to 300 constant. So if I add and tools or any gear I'll be over that 300 pretty quick. Can't decide what to do.. plan on getting some sliders the next year or so as well.

Any personal experience is much appreciated ! Thanks.

 

Others will chime in, but I believe you could go stage 2 and, if it's too much you can remove a leaf. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/removing-leaf-on-deaver-springs.740977/

 

Right on. I was curious about the removal / addition of deavers.. seen a lot for icons not as much for deavers. fundamentally the same tho I suppose .

 

I was thinking of leaning towards the stage 1 maybe... But am curious how expensive it is if I wanted to add in a leaf later.

 

I'm going to follow along here because I have similar canopy weight and a bit more chassis weight with DCLB. I currently have Dakar ELO95R, they're W shaped and providing around 23.0 inches hub to fender. I'd like to be around 24.0-24.5 inches.

I'm leaning stage Deaver stage 1 because it would simplify shock selection, avoid excessive driveline angles, and likely ride smoother.. but I don't want them to end up settling down around 23 inches where I'm already at. Canopy is always on the truck, 100-150 lbs sandbags in winter for snowstorm driving, camping gear from time to time. All the hub to fender measurements I've seen from guys are around 24 inches but always unloaded beds and never DCLB

I would go Deaver stage 2 no problem if I have to.. The only measurents I've seen range around 24.5 inches but that's with RTT, rack, bumpers, swing outs, etc. Likely way more weight than just my canopy

Deaver just says "around 2 inches" with their expedition packs. Hopefully some guys with canopies can chime in with hub to fender measurents. Curious about Stage 1 vs Stage 2

 

I just was reading that deavers underestimates they're load capacity.. and about 10 people with toppers say the stage 2's were too much. I too have sand in the winter... I'm gunna go with the stage 1's . Hope I make the right decision .

 

I got about 2.25 on the rear on my stage 1s. Mostly empty bed. No complaints

 

Mostly empty, no topper?
@Breakdown

 

Does anyone know if deavers sells leafs to build up a stage 1 if it proves to be too little?

 

Call them, the dude that answers the phone is the owner and can answer your questions and won't try and upsell you.

 

75% of the time empty. I’ve had about 600lbs in the bed and still rode fine. I can’t speak to constant weight in the back.

 

I think I might order stage 2s... Remove the 5 the leaf from the top and put em in . When I get sliders or if they settle down I'll put it back in

 

@b_r_o

Do you know what the stock height from center hub to fender is?

 

With my 2020 TRD offroad long bed, I have Deaver stage 2, with the following continuous loads: topper (200 lbs), sliders (approx 100 lbs carried on rear axle), Steel rear bumper (about 50 lbs extra to rear axle) and a regular load of about 200 lbs spread over truck (so another 100 lbs to the rear axle).

So--about 450 lbs to the rear axle. I got about 3.0 inches of lift even with all the weight--I would go with with the Stage 1. I would have to agree that the Deaver load estimates are too conservative (their springs carry more load than they say)

 

The stage 1 springs hold a lot more weight than you think. With a DB bed cover, RTT, Sliders, Skids, and the back full of gear mine are still great. I could see going to stage 2 if I had a big swing out steel bumper or something, but I haven't been in a situation yet where I wished I had more spring. It's a tough choice, I almost went with the stage 2 also, but now I am glad that I didn't because I think they would be too stiff empty.

 

No I can't remember, maybe around 22 inches?

 

Found this..

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-ride-height-thread.137756/

 

I have the stage 2's (see my comment above) with about 450lbs of extra load on the rear axle. I got more lift than I wanted (about 3" even with the 450 lb extra load) but I really like the ride I got from the springs--not too stiff--I was pleasantly surprised. I would still go with stage 1's though.

 

See, this is really helping. Guys with way more weight than me, getting more lift than expected with stage 2... lookin like stage 1 is the way to go for my needs