I’m really saggin

I did the AAL, did it on my previous gen 1 tacoma as well. Never had an issue. Cheap way to go and if in the end you don't like it you are out about 70 bucks or so. I used the Wheelers AAL for mine. I also have SUMO springs for when I really load it down

 

What? Why would you upgrade front suspension for a cap? That's not necessary at all and a complete waste of money unless you already planned to lift the truck.

 

I'd also suggest an entire new leaf pack. Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road (already mentioned above) is definitely a great resource. They can probably help you find a pack that won't give too much lift running at your weight. I have a very heavy duty Deaver pack that is supposed to give 2.5-3 inches lift at X weight, but i actually sit pretty level when fully loaded which is what I was going for. I didn't need a lift. So add up the weight (not just rough estimate it). I thought I was prolly hauling 700lbs constantly but when I actually do the math it's more like 1000lbs. Stuff adds up FAST.

 

I have the same problem. Not lift in sight but came to the conclusion that I will do a new leaf pack now. 1. its a real fix, AAL seems like a bandaid to help support my already dearched leafs (yours may be too...check em!) 2. it removes some cost of lifting when I eventually do it, and spreads it out a bit so it doesn't hurt the wallet as much.

 

I have a canopy and other things in the back. About 400#s. I added the WULF AAL from Amazon for $60. It fixed my sag, and handling. I do plan on adding a lift, and at that time I will be replacing the entire leaf pack. I went with the AAL since I did not want to use stock shocks with a new leaf pack that will give a 2" lift.

A cheap AAL will fix your problem, for now. I don't imagine this is a good long term solution. It is a great cheap short term solution however.

 

@C41n has a really good point here, on not wanting too much "lift" while running standard length shocks. Your shocks become your limit straps if you increase down travel much, and if maxed out hard enough or enough times you could break your shocks. If you never flex your suspension to the max it would probably be ok, but limit straps or longer shocks would be better.

 

well i did some calculamatations of the regular weight im driving around with...
Leer cap- ~200LBS
ARB Summit Rear Bumper-120LBS
High Lift-30LBS
4 Max Trax-25LBS
Axe and Shovel 10LBS

Puts me at 385 without passengers, etc.... Thoughts on best leaf pack? It sounds like I would regret an AAL solution. Thanks

 

Icon RXT so you can adjust lift height and/or load carrying capacity as time goes on...with no extra cost.

 

is this what i am after?

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com...coma-multi-rate-rxt-leaf-pack-w--add-in-leaf/

 

Ordering the Dakar heavy leafs would do the same, just remove one specific leaf and it’s a medium pack. Not sure which is better...not sure if either would give you lift and make the truck look like a dragster lol.

 

Expensive, but I'm going to put this here. My Stage 3 are great for 700-1000, but they also have the stage 1 and 2 for 0-300 and 400-600 constant load. I purchased mine through Headstrong Offroad, but here's the actual Deaver link.

https://deaverspring.com/product/tacoma-2wd-4wd-6-lug-2005-2020-expedition-series-spring/

After having them for awhile, I really agree with the higher number of thinner leaves giving a more progressive spring action (not as jarring/stiff when unloaded). I thought it might just be gimmicky, but it rides great. Mine have 9 leaves and 2 overloads, and I believe the others do as well.

I paired them with Bilstein 5160s to increase the shock length a bit. Reasonably priced shocks for having reservoirs. If you do go this route, don't be surprised if your truck has a crazy high tail end after install. They settle a lot in the first month of driving around loaded. My buddy installed similar springs on his Raptor and it was the same thing. Took a lil time to settle.

 

What about the OME medium load spring pack?

 

Seriously?? Like adding a 250 pound topper it’s normal for trucks to require totally changing suspension? Throwing the flag on that, trucks rated for over a thousand pounds load should be able to handle a topper weighing a quarter of that. Last topper I had was on a Ford F-150 and I carried a good size cargo load in that for an 8000 mile around the continent trip. Didn’t have to change jack squat on the suspension. Must be a Tacoma poor suspension issue if that’s the case ya gotta replace it.

 

@ST77 has this pack I believe. It's creaky as hell. Would drive me insane.

Added a canopy to mine, and the entire back end felt like shit. Ruined the driveability of it for me. It was the entire reason I added a AAL for a temporary fix till I do the entire lift. Going around corners felt like the back end wanted to go over (I don't drive slow) and it didn't feel like that before the canopy.

I agree that this shouldn't have happened, but it did. Only 8k ish miles on mine.

EDIT - I think some of it is how high the weight is. Changing the center of gravity more than if it was lower in the bed.

 

Tacoma's seem to be designed to have comfort and offroad capability higher on the list than carrying capacity. Second Gens came out with wimpy leaf packs that if you were hauling around 400lbs or more you'd bottom out all the time. That led to the TSB that replaced the leaf pack with one with another spring. It definitely helped me for hauling my 350lb ATV with gear. The later models came with this leaf pack.

385lbs constant load for a Tacoma is a decent amount. It'll cause the stock suspension to de-arch pretty quick, specially if you ever flex much.

 

Appreciate the info, I’m still learning my Tacoma, first one I’ve had, my other 4 trucks were various brands. I’ve hauled a few decent loads in my SR Access Cab Utility Package 2.7L rated for 1500 pounds load (tire door sticker, >1600 lbs specs) with no issue but haven’t hauled anything heavy long distances. Trucks about 400 lbs lighter than some of the 6 cyl DCs so I figure it can handle a camper shell easy. Likely going with a Tonneau though since far easier to remove for tall loads.

 

I think you’re spot on about the CG, affects any truck with a heavy shell, good point!

 

OP, I really think airbags would be your best option since you don't want to lift. All you would need to get rid of the sag is like 10PSI in the bags and the ride would be great. Load some materials for a camping trip etc and you just add a little more air. I've had them on trucks and love them.

 

Air bags are a great way to go. The Firestone Ride-Rites are reasonably priced and super adjustable for load. Less than most leaf packs for sure. And you don't need a fancy air system for them. You can simply run the valves somewhere handy and use a bicycle pump. The only reason I didn't go with them is that I constantly have a LOT of weight on my truck, and often have a car trailer being pulled behind. I'd hate to blow a hose off or have something random happen and have to limp home on my bump stops. With a load 50-75% or so of payload you woudln't have to worry a bit about getting home with the loss of the bags no matter how far you were.

 

Yeah, you should be fine. Hauling a Tonneau or Camper Shell is fine as long as you don't constantly have a few hundred pounds of tools and what not in there! Once I had the TSB springs on my truck I was very happy with the way my truck drove with a Leer Canopy. My truck rode relatively low when I pulled my trailer, but it wasn't anything too bad. It wasn't until I installed my Habitat and Fridge and all that stuff that my truck was in serious need of a new leaf pack.