Shell Owners, what rear lift do you have and what were the results?

TL;DR
Hey shell owners! What lift do you have in the rear? How tall is it? What's the ride like? Would you do it again?


So I am in the planning stages of my suspension upgrade. This will be the first time I have done any kind of suspension upgrade to my vehicle and I am looking to minimize any "overkill" purchases.

My issue is that I have a SnugTop Rebel with Sportsman package on the back of my truck which has currently leveled it with the front. I also have up to 150lbs of tools in the back for half the year and during camping trips can put almost that much in gear.

The constant weight, even with camping gear for weekends and tools during the week, seems higher than what most "Medium" Leaf Pack replacements are geared for but lower than what most "Heavy" pack replacements handle. (Specifically Dobinsons/OME Dakars).

I plan on going with 6112/5160's and would like 2" of lift in the rear to hopefully give me some rake so that the truck sits level when loaded.

Options I'm considering:

Deaver Single AAL - I've heard this is stiff but I'm not sure if that's just for an empty bed. Any shell owners running this? What were your results?

Dobinsons "Medium" Pack - Rated for 110-200ish pounds, I feel like this might level my truck out while the bed is empty. Similar concern for Dakar Mediums. Anyone running these with a shell? Insights?

Dobinsons Heavy Pack - Minimum 550lbs, my concern is that it will give me more lift than I desire and may ride too stiff. Same concerns for the OME Dakar Heavies.

Icon RXT - This seems to give desirable results but the expense is hard to swallow, especially when it flirts near the cost of custom made packs.

Custom Packs -

I'm looking forward to any insight shell owners might have, thank you for reading.

 

2018 TRD OR DC with a snugtop shell bed mat, tire chains, and about 100 misc pounds of junk (tools, compressor, jack). Just have the Wheelers AL22 1.5 AAL. Been very happy with it for the 2 years I have had it. Have Eibach pro truck on lowest clip up front which netted me about 1.5 inches after I added a winch and SSO bumper. Sitting pretty level now, maybe a little forward rake. Also added SUMO springs for when I do haul heavy loads. Had my previous Taco for 9 years and had an AAL in it as well and was always satisfied with the ride. Pic makes it look nose high but that is just camera angle

 

2018 double cab long bed trd offroad 4x4 with a snugtop highliner, sleeping platform with camping gear and sliders. My truck was level with all that weight. Didn’t want to do a major suspension job for various reasons. Decided to try and install Sumo springs. Cheap and only took about 45 minutes.
After installing the Sumo springs, gained a little over 1/4 inch in the rear. Truck now has a slight rake again. When I add additional weight, suspension is really not sagging any more. Truck feels firmer in the rear and am loving it. Worth the 200 dollars and no need for suspension work.

 

BTW i got the 1000 pounds Sumo springs.

 

OME heavies. Rides pretty good with the Leer 100rcc. I have a bed drawer type storage system with recovery gear. I'd guesstimate around 350lbs altogether. I also have a 130lb tent that occasionally lives on the rack.

Sorry I don't have any before and after measurements.

 

I am looking to lift my 2017. I have a Snugtop camper, Yakima cargo box, and Yakima Fullswing that holds up to 4 bikes on the hitch. I also have a custom-built bed platform made out of 2in plywood. My rear is slouching so I have been looking into options as well.

Talking to a local mechanic that is also here on TW. He mentioned that the heavy comes with firm springs that are usually if you have a heavy bumper and/or winch. He recommended the mediums.

I have been looking at this OME lift kit. Not sure what tires to add to it.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...ift-kit-medium-load-2-ometac16mksb-11417.html

 

Right now I have a stock rear bumper, but I do have a steel front bumper and winch. I have 886's in the front and the heavy rear pack. I don't think it's firm with the weight I have, but it sounds like you could get by with the mediums. I'm sure a lot of people run the lift you posted and could provide feedback.

 

May not seem firm because you have the steel front bumper and winch? I’m not sure but I’m going to go with the mediums. @Snaeper

Here’s what the mechanic said to me:

 

Deaver stage III U402s rated at 1k. The OME HDs were too weak:

 

Looks like you have an aftermarket bumper, yeah? We may not need the 1k rated if we have stock bumper.

 

Not all trucks are modded equally...all trucks matter.

 

ARE CX Evolve with Dakar Heavies. I gained about 3.5” over stock leaf packs with the shell. I usually have at least 100 lbs of tools in the back and up to around 400 lbs. it still retains some rake even with 400 lbs in the back. I’ve had as much as 800 lbs in the rear and the truck still set level. The ride is firmer, but I also have 10 ply tires. Overall I prefer the ride over stock. This picture is with roughly 100 lbs extra in the back.

 

Sounds like a good plan. You can always change it out later if you add more weight.

 

I have an ARE shell and about 100lb of gear usually kicking around the bed. My stock suspension is sagging and im also in need of an upgrade lol

 

I am doing more research on that OME lift kit and some other options. Sumosprings have come to mind and they provide 1k rated weight. Might be able to do that with a different lift kit. Curious to know what you might be looking into @boston23. I also have an SR5.

I am new to this whole lift kit and suspension stuff so I am learning as I go.

 

Hey @IluvTaco just seeing your post, I had decided I was going to save up for the Old Man Emu heavy duty leaf pack but after hearing about how they ALWAYS squeak so much, I decided I will go with Dobinson's heavy duty leaf pack (another reputable Australian company). But that is going to have to wait until I have the money, my next mod is going to be some C load Duratracs in 265/75. In the meantime I may go sumo's. Those would only be a temp fix for me because I hear they really stiffen up the ride.

 

Wow, I forgot about posting on this thread. I ended up going with the heavy duty Bilstein kit with 6112s in the front & 5160s in the back.
Here is the link where I bought it:
https://www.rogue-offroad.com/product-p/tacostage4-.htm

I added replica 17” TRD PRO wheels with 265/70/17 Falken Wildpeaks.

I like the drive and feel the weight is much more supported.

 

How she sits without all the added accessories. Also forgot to say that the mechanic I worked with recommended against sumos when I brought it up to him. Forgot his words exactly but something along the lines of, the rear sits higher on the sumos and may have more sway. Also the compression of the springs aren’t the best. So I didn’t go with them

 

Wow looks good, good for you man. Im a little jealous lol @IluvTaco

 

Forgot to post. Running the RXTs with the Leer 180cc on both the 2017 and the 2013. The springs are set on the mid-weight setting. Can't remember exactly how much lift it gave, should have written it down. Definitely more pliable and pleasant than stock on the road. Does really well off-road, especially compared to the stock leaf springs. Huge difference on washboard roads. Paired with ADS shocks it makes a really comfortable ride. The 2013 normally has about 200ish pounds in the bed plus the shell. Thinking about adding in the extra leaf for a little extra lift at some point.