Leaf Springs - Looking for Advice Based on Experience

Hey all!

I am looking to get a new leaf pack for my 2014 TRD OR DCSB.

I am running the Fox Ultimate kit from Toytec currently with an Icon add a leaf as well as BFG KO2 285/75/16 tires. The add a leaf just doesn't provide the amount of lift I would like (looking for another 1-2") and on top of that, I recently got a bed rack (the new RCI bed rack is FANTASTIC by the way) and I will be strapping some gear to the back and next year I plan to get a RTT adding more weight to the back when camping or heading to Moab!

All of those things considered, I am looking for a good leaf pack that will hold up, hold my gear without too much sag, not squeak all the damn time and provide a bit more rear lift.

So far I am looking at the DAKAR, ALL PRO EXPEDITION AND ATLAS EXPEDITION packs.

Dakar gets a lot of coverage on this site and I suspect it's because they do the job for a good price. I am not convinced they ride the best and I have heard horror stories about squeaking and unnecessarily stiff ride quality.

ALL PRO Expeditions looks great but I haven't heard much about their longevity or if they squeak. Also reading on their site that a shackle flip kit voids any and all warranty on their leaf packs.

ATLAS Expeditions look AWESOME (Defconbrix uses them and swears by them) but almost $1000 for a pair feels almost insane.

Let me know what you have or have had on your trucks and what you like/dislike.

Thanks all!!

 

I have the All Pro expos, have had them for about 2.5 years with no issues & no squeaking. They are a little bit stiff but that doesn't bother me & they gave me 4" of lift. I'm sure it's due to them being designed to carry 4-500 pounds & maintain a 3" lift, I'm running them with an empty bed. I'm pretty sure with weight they'd smooth out some, that what I've read on here.

 

I have the Dakars and love them.

Don't worry about the squeak: That's your truck saying "I'm not fucking stock, deal with it."

 

I'm in the same camp. A mixture of mud, road gunk and Bioshield 9 has cured the squeak on mine. Its also not that bad to begin with, and you now whats causing it.

 

If your budget alow. You owe it to your self to look at Alcon springs. Thay will buld you a set of springs for your exact needs. Just tell them how much lift you want and how much wight your hauling and they will buld you a costume set. Just do your self a favor. Pay the extra and get oem bushings. The polyerathane ones squeak. That is my only regret.

 

I love my Dakars. Never squeaked until after my Effing frame replacement. Even still, excellent leaf packs.

 

I have expos with a shell and bed storage boxes and some random tools etc. They ride great and i think they are what you want if 4 inches of lift, no squeeking after 5k miles. The dakars i havent driven on but i hear they are stiff from about everyones review, its all relative, but i dont hear a single review of all pro as stiff. the dakars are closer to 3 inches of lift.

Alcans are a lot of money and i think kind of a waste since these packs are out there and are readily available. Most people dont drive hard enough to need a custom leaf pack made.

 

I go quoted 740 shipped from alcan to build a custom pack to give me 6 inches in the back so I can completely get rid of blocks... that is only 200 more then all pro... I would just go custom you might as well

 

Yes for 6 you have to. the blocks are just a weak point so best to get the custom alcan and have all the components beefy and secure

 

Dakars rose like old school half ton truck springs: not very pleasant with an empty truck, and like your grandfather's Cadillac with about 3/8 ton in the back.

I suck it up day to day, and am very happy when I'm loaded up for a trip. I'm also happy when I need the load capacity for work, the dakars are better than the stock springs for heavy loads.

 

I have dakars with the bottom overload removed. Rides a little rough unloaded, but excellent off-road and with my crf and gear in the back on a road trip.

I was in your same uncertain mindset going into buying new springs and am happy with the way the dakars came out.

Hope that helps!

 

The dakars will also most definatly give you the lift you're looking for.

I have camburg UCA's and COs maxed in the front and had to remove the first overload spring because it was a rake and I wanted level...

 

I'm going with ADS and trying to figure out which leaf pack to put in the back with about 200-250lbs sitting back there all the time. How do you like the ride with your setup? Which ADS shocks/coil overs did you go with?

 

You can fix the Dakar squeak just sayin

They're great if you carry constant loads and haul