Really stiff leaf springs

I bought the all-pro leaf pack and Fox 2.0 shocks for the rear end of my taco about 9 months ago to replace the worn out factory springs and shocks. Been driving around with anywhere from 500 lbs to 200 lbs of sand in the back of my truck for most of the time since then. These springs are unbelievably stiff. As soon as I take the sand bags out it goes right back to bouncing around. It actually bounces going over some bigger bumps in the road. The springs barely compress at all. It rides like a 97 super duty at best. It will ride alright with the sand in there or a trailer hooked up. I’ve had the rear wheels tucked up into the fender a couple times on wheeling trips too and still no change. Just feels like the springs are made for a heavier truck. Wondering if anyone else has had this problems with their springs and if there’s a fix out there other than taking out leaves. Thanks
Will

 

Did you get the standard All Pro leaf pack or the All Pro Expos? Sounds like you got the Expos, you can double check by looking at the lettering on the leafs...the Expos have an EX on them. They're much stiffer than the Standards as they are meant to hold a few hundred pounds at all times.

I have the Expos on my truck but have a tent and bed rack on at all times, maybe 200 - 250lbs. They are a little stiff but I wouldn't say it's too bad, I had some Dakars before that were much softer but did not hold weight well at all.

Only real way to soften up a leaf pack is to either take out a leaf, carry around a bunch of weight in the bed or swap them out for softer springs.

 

I thought you might’ve been right so I went out and checked just now and there’s no EX on the numbers painted on them. I’ll probably be flexin em out a little more and running around with sand bags in the backs little while longer before tackling removing leaves from it. It sure would be nice to have my bed space back lol

 

Huh that's strange, the standards are supposed to be like stock but with lift. @BartMaster1234 you have the standards, are yours stiff?

 

What shocks are you running on there

 

Says Fox 2.0s, I was gonna say it could be the shocks too but the Fox shocks should be okay. Unless maybe they aren't meant for the lift height he's getting from the All Pros

 

Sorry missed that, yeah he shouldnt be having that with those shocks unless he is over 2.5, 3 inch lift

 

Mine are flexy because @Dan8906 ran them with a constant load in the back before I got them. They’re worn-in perfectly so I don’t have the isssues new leafs do.

They do squeak even though I have greaseable shackles, but I only notice it when I’m going over speed bumps.

 

I’ve definitely never heard of anyone complaining the standards are too stiff and too bouncy? How do they flex when you are wheeling?

 

I’m running the Fox 2.0’s that came with it from all pro’s site. They give you an option to upgrade from the 5100’s for an extra 60 bucks I think it was. I figured might as well do it while I’m here.

I haven’t been out wheeling but one or two times since I put them on, been pretty damn busy, plus I live in south Florida so not a whole lot to flex em out on but they do alright. Feels like opposite side front coil compresses down a little before the leaf starts to flex unless I’ve got some sand bags or other weight back there.

 

I don’t think it’s the shocks because when I’ve got at least 200 lbs in the bed it rides pretty close to factory. Unless they just sent me some factory height replacement shocks and they’re just maxed out when I don’t have weight in the bed compressing the springs.

If I take a leaf (or leaves) out, which one should I start with?

 

Don't the standards provide 3" lift? I looked up the Fox 2.0s and the ones I saw were listed for 0 - 2" of rear lift max

 

Have you contacted all pro? Explain your issue? My experience with them, I’ve had both standard and expos, is inconsistency.

 

I sent them an email a while back but never got a response back. I actually forgot about it until just now... my experience with their customer service has been pretty shitty up until now. I’ll probably give them a phone call tomorrow and see what happens. I just did a little research and eon_blue you’re right, the 2.0 only gives 0-1” lift from what I can find where as the 5100 goes up to 2.5”. Would the short shock be causing a rough ride?

 

Very well could be since the shock is fully extended with no weight in the bed.

 

Not to mention it could ruin the shocks in short order, I'd definitely give them a call. FYI All Pro got sold to Trail Gear last summer so it's be best to call Trail Gear directly imo

 

I’m thinking I’ll take the shocks off and drive around town for a couple miles and see if the springs will ride any different and if it does I’ll definitely be changing out shocks. Thanks for all the advice everyone

 

It'll be very bouncy without the shocks. Looking at the setup myself and they recommended new shock mounts that weld onto the axle to make up for the extra 2". Find some rocks and flex the rear a dozen or so times and they'll soften up.

 

Update: so I ordered some new 5100s for the rear that are for 0-2.5” lift and put them on today and now she rides like a dream. Fixed all my articulation and ride problems and even got rid of my driveline vibe that I’ve been meaning to fix so two birds. Thanks for all the help everyone

 

Thanks for following up, its nice to hear that people get their issues figured out and it'll help someone else that's searching the forum with the same issue. Sucks that they initially sold the wrong shocks with that kit, you'd think a 4x4 shop would know better.