Icon progressive AAL w/ shims?

I’m thinking about adding the Icon progressive AAL and removing the factory overload spring in the rear for around 1.5” of lift. I’m mainly going after a tiny bit of lift so I can get a little rake back, and of course a softer ride for these bumpy log roads and trails. I don’t ever haul weight or tow. Dakar’s are out, too much lift. No cap or weight in the bed.


I’ve got the TSB leaf pack in the rear now with the shims from Toyota to fix the “take off” vibrations the truck came with. Could I run that Icon AAL without the overload and still use the shims? Assuming the shims is what fixed the vibration, along with the stiffer 3 leaf pack, I’d like to keep the shims so I’m not chasing new vibes. Is that possible? Am I going in the wrong direction? I’m not well versed in leaf packs or driveline angles. Truck has Fox suspension with around 2” of lift in the front, sits roughly 22” at all 4 corners currently.

 

You should have no problem retaining the shim that is currently in the pack. 1.5" is pretty mild and does not usually equate to vibration issues.

 

Good to know, thanks

 

Just did this yesterday, removed overload leaf, kept shims. Icon reccomends removing the overload leaf, but there are many members that chose to keep it. Depends on preference/truck use.

(No, the brake lines aren't maxed out, there was still plenty of slack. )

 

Looks good, thanks for the report. No new vibes? Should theoretically be none since you kept the shims.

How do you like it, does it feel softer than stock? What did you end up with for lift?

Sorry for the barrage of questions

 

Nope, no new vibes. I initially had a single AAL in there, got about 1.5" and it was pretty dang stiff. I removed that AAL yesterday, along with the overload, put in the progressive AAL. Ride drastically improved. Can't really compare to stock since its been so long, but it feels great, night and day difference. Visually it doesn't look any different, i may have lost a quarter inch if that.

 

@ensaladas what's the offset on your wheels sir? Nice stance. Awesome build.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

Guys, i can't stress it enough how much better this progressive AAL is compared to the single AAL i've had for the last year. I did not expect the ride to improve that much. Feels like a different truck.

 

Nice!

Did you leave the E-brake cable that was attached to the overload just hanging? Just wondering

 

I ziptied the metal bracket to one of the other brackets further down the cable until I figure out where to mount it. For now, it's clear and of the way of everythkng

 

I did something similar when I had the 3-leaf. I've got Deavers now and had to make a bracket to secure the cable. Kinda funny how nobody seems to have accounted for the cable on these vehicle specific parts.

 

you can bolt the factory bracket to the the spring clamp that comes with the 3 leaf pack. seen a member on here that did it.

 

What degree is the factory shim?

 

I'm looking to do this on my '16 double w/ long box. Can you speak to any benefits you've seen in load capacity or towing? I treat mine like a full size construction truck and frequently over load it. Caused my springs to go completely flat.

 

If your stock leaf springs are completely flat, you need more than a 3 leaf pack aal. I’d suggest you go with new Deaver expedition leaf springs.

 

Thanks. Every stock Taco I've looked at since doesn't have a shim. If I had one when I changed to the SkyJacker soft ride pack (definitely dont recommended that one) I didn't see one. Now added the icon AAL and very happy with the results. I don't think I have any vibes but I'm going to do the CB drop just incase.

 

In the process of getting Icon AAL's installed. Actually already installed them on the stock leaf pack with 175k on them and didn't realize they were toast. Just picked up a stock set used with 700 on them and going to swap out with the old set and transfer the AAL's. Hopefully I didn't ruin them by installing them on old leafs. Not sure how much lift I'll get considering that I did get 1.5" with the old leaf pack. Expecting something like 2-2.5 over what it was which is hard to quantify in relation to anything useful because they were sagging to begin with. Already experiencing some mild vibration and expecting it to get worse with the fresh leafs so hoping to find a tried and true axle shim size that will work on Icon AAL's before I start the project. Anyone have those numbers?

 

Did yours come with shims factory? If so was it placed under the overload spring? my 2020's overload is flush against the Axel mount bracket as far as I can tell.

I have 1.5* progressive AAL on order and want to try to avoid having to disturb the ubolts other then to do 500 mile re torque after installation.

I'm primarily seeing 2.5degree and higher shims on the market which seems a bit high if I were to use the general 1* per inch of lift formula.