How Much weight before i add a Leaf

Already have a 150lb front bumper and a 2 inch leveling kit on the front, now planning
to add some weight to the rear such as Bed Rack/Frig./Solar Generator/Small gas gen. and
a roll up bed cover. I read that the pay load is around 1100 in the bed, so im guessing around
600 lbs, do ya think i should add a leaf to the rear, and my weights are an estimate so
consider that it could be more.
Thanks folks

 

You looking for lift or just help with payload? If the latter, consider Timbrens. That way you don’t have to do the shocks.

ideally you’re doing shocks all around and heavier longer coil up front, extra leaf in the rear.

 

Yes payload is my concern. I will look into the Timbrens not sure what it is but will check it out

thanks

 

If your adding 600lbs I would suggest new leaf pack. You will be bottoming out on bump stops, timbres, or Sumos, you will be riding full time on those as well. It will be a rough/jarring ride. 600lbs you'll sag the ass end 2"-3"

 

I wouldn't add a leaf unless that weight is built in weight. Meaning you don't plan to "remove" it when not in use. The extra leaf rides live a F350 work truck. It will littereally pop your rear wheels off of the ground going over a speed bump. I've got about 400 stationary pounds of extra shit (rock sliders, skids, bed rack, tent, electric and fridge) and I optioned not to have it again. It sags some loaded down with gear, but dry it's right at the heaviest it should be. I can't stand the ride when it's dry.

 

Add a leaf is intended for newer packs, not old packs with curves.

Consider a new heavier pack, or an air bag set up. Timbrens or sumo springs would be a good interm upgrade.

 

This!
I have a fiberglass bed topper and a DECKED drawer system, totally nearly 400# and it’s squatting noticeably and bouncing off the bump stops, of course the stock OR shocks with 40k miles aren’t helping things either.
I’d think w 600# full time, you’re looking at a new leaf pack, or you’ll be doing it again later.

also GVWR for you exact model is in the door jamb.

 

Payload is TOTAL weight in the truck...not just the bed. Fuel, driver, passengers, etc. If you've got 4 200lb guys in the truck, technically...300lbs in the bed will put you at capacity with an 1100lb payload (My TRDOR double cab carries a payload capacity of about 1275lbs I think)

Ironically, I was looking at the door sticker on a 2018 F150 the other day...and it was rated for an even lesser payload.

I put a pallet of brake rotors/calipers in mine about once a week and deliver them 60 miles away....somewhere between 1000 and 1500lbs most often. It sits down on the overloads, but not the bump stops unless I hit a couple freeway transitions at 70 or better....if I remember to slow down to 55 or so at the 2 bad spots, it stays off the bump stops the whole trip. Handling is obviously affected with this weight in the truck...I have a set of ICON leafs...just need to find the time to get them on the truck.

 

Get a new leaf pack. I did the Icon RTX on option 2 and I only have 300-ish lbs extra weight maybe 400 if you count the sliders. Rides just fine. Not harsh at all. With 600 lbs probably want option 3.

Of course, with the front bumper you probably need different springs in the front so with all that weight your truck will probably not ride real well unless you really balance the springs/shocks to match the weight.

 

WOW!! So much to consider since the weight want be on the truck all the time!! I do have a lot to think about. Thanks to all of you!

 

If that is the case I would go with a Progressive Add-A-Leaf. Pretty good ride when empty and will help you out a lot when you put weight in it. I went with the Headstrong unit and removed the bottom overload factory leaf. . . . . very happy with it. You also don't need the longer u-bolts like they say.

 

Thanks Gatafly, does this give you any lift on the rear? Could you send a link on what you used. Like the idea of this

 

I 2nd what Gatafly said. I too went with the HS progressive AAL and left the overload off. I used the original U bolts and have 3/8" of threads left on them. My truck rides great even with minimal amount of added weight(bed mat, bed cover and tool bag; 135 lbs total). It's nice to have some arch. The cool thing about the HS progressive is that you don't have to cut off the OEM brackets.... it's a straight bolt on.



Yes, the Progressive AAL adds about 1.5" lift.

 

Check your door jamb sticker, payload for your truck is probably 950-1000lbs. Very few Tacomas actually have payloads over 1100lbs despite what the advertising says.

 

That appears more common with 3rd gens. My 2007 4x4 DC is rated at 1200 lbs and I've seen some at 1300. Payload is simply the trucks actual curb weight subtracted from GVWR. Newer Tacoma's have become heavier.

If you want to carry that much weight, you need a bigger truck. The more weight you put in a trucks bed, the less weight the front axle has on it. And that has a negative effect on both steering and braking. If your truck is sitting low in the rear that is a visual cue that you're overloaded. Changing the suspension may well help your truck sit level. But it doesn't change your payload. The truck is still overloaded. Toyota builds a good truck, but they aren't designed for hauling any real weight. My old Honda Fit has 800 lbs payload, the Explorer 1400, my brothers 2020 Ranger almost 1600.

That's not unusual either. The payload on Tacoma's are all pretty close, within a couple hundred pounds. But Ford makes so many variants and so many different trim levels a 4X4 Crew Cab F150 could vary between 900-2000 lbs payload. Some regular cabs and extended cabs could be well over 2000 lbs.

If someone want to move up to a 1/2 ton for hauling and towing you still have to choose carefully. There is some overlap and some 1/2 ton trucks won't haul or tow much, if any more than a Tacoma. And there is some overlap on the other end too. Some 1/2 tons will haul/tow more than some 3/4 ton's. Check those door stickers carefully for payload ratings and axle codes.

 

Still got a lot to consider, but the AAL looks like my choice

 

Yes, about 1.5". I have 5100's up front on the 4th notch for 1.5" of lift also as I wanted to keep factory rake.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s..._AAL_with_u-bolts_(PAIR)_-_HS-TOY516-3AL.html

 

Anyone tried Sumosprings?

 

I did before my lift because the rear would sag with camping gear or other weight. Worked pretty well. Also helped a lot when I pulled a trailer. I kept them after the lift as a better option than bump stops but with the new leaf pack I don't think they engage much.

 

I see the light weight color blue on Amazon for rear for $279.00 think im gonna try them since i want be carrying much
over 500 lbs normally.