Stock leaf spring replacement

I’m going to get Bilstein 4600s front and rear with Moog 81104 springs. What rear leafs should I get to match the stock ride height? I’ll also be using ride rite air bags in rear to help carry the tongue weight of a hitch hauler, dirt bike, and camper. What parts do I need to make this happen? So far I know:

- Front and rear 4600
- Front set Moog 81104
- Leaf springs (brand and model unknown)
- Leaf spring shackle
- Ride rite air bags

Am I missing anything? Is there anything easy to replace while I’m in there that I should do at 165,000 miles?

Thanks!!

 

I had General Springs on my last truck and liked them. They make both a stock and a heavy duty version.

When replacing the leaf springs I’d also get new u-bolts and new main eye bolts.

 

I used Downey leafs on my previous truck, a 95 pre-Tacoma, and liked them a lot. That said, I haven’t looked at what options Downey has for Tacomas.

 

I have had great Luck with General Spring as well

Depending where you live new hardware is a given

 

GENERAL SPRINGS IS THE HARBOR FREIGHT OF SUSPENSION:
I put General Springs heavy duty springs on my truck in October of 2015. About 3 weeks ago I was having the gears upgraded. I got a call informing me that both the leaf springs R & L were broken. I headed down to the shop and they were both broken in the same place, forward of the front u-bolt. While I do wheel my truck, I don’t go ape poopie, I’ve been accused of babying and not using my truck to it’s full potential. Suffice to say I like getting out there, just don’t see the point of hammering the snot out of it. At any rate my General Springs lasted just over two years, I’ll edit this post with some pictures later today. It appears that axle wrap, or a Newton would say “the equal and opposite force” was the reason these springs broke. I would recommend spending a few more shillings up front and getting quality springs, rather than going cheep and replacing them in a few years.

 

Dang. I've never heard of that happening before with these but there aren't that many reviews out there on them. Did you try contacting General Spring and seeing what they'd do about it?

 

They have a 1 year warranty, essential I’m SOL. I thought about shipping them back, but I don’t want spend the money. I have OME’s now with the additional leaf and a u-bolt flip. It’s been an expensive few weeks.

 

This is what I had after 2 years with General Springs HD Leafs

 

@pontoon you should not need shackles unless your are badly rusted or need to be cut off. But normally, they are reusable. Some folks don't realize they are two pins attached to one side plate of the shackle, not separate through bolts. Undo both nuts to the end of the threads, then tap on both alternately to drive the whole half of the shackle off.

As someone else mentioned, get a new set of Ubolts. They are single use items. And get the front hanger pins too because sometimes they rust and seize in the bushings and need to be cut off, and they are an odd length (I want to say about 4.5 in.) that is not easy to find at most local hardware stores.

 

I’m probably going to chance it on the general springs. Thanks for the tip though. If anyone knows a better spring that’s cheaper than OEM and stock ride height lmk.

So I need:
- 4 U bolts (2.5 width, 7 length, 9/16” thick, square shape)
- 2 bolts going through the center of the leaf pack.
- 2 leaf springs general spring hd
- four shock absorbers bilstein 6400
- 2 springs Moog 81104
- loctite blue
- ride rite helper air spring
- ride rite air lift spacer for TRD/lifted applications

Anything else?

I don’t know what part is the hangar pin, can I chance it and count on it not being rusted? I’m in California and my truck isn’t really rusty.

 

Sub'd. I'm also in the process of weighing options. Mine currently has the Hellwig helpers and while they seem to be keeping the truck pretty level, the idea of all that extra hardware bolted to worn-out springs makes me a little anxious. I was considering the General Springs as well but will probably just go with the OME Dakar leaf pack come tax return time.

 

I'm in between the General Springs or SD truck springs. The customer service rep at SD sent me an email as soon as I made an account there and gave me 5% off. Prices of both sets of leafs are within $10 of each other. I guess what it comes down to is warranty. Tax check can't come quick enough...

 

What OME leaf springs give stock height? I read on another TW thread that GS were good for stock replacements but if they aren't man that sucks. Back to doing more research..

Ok the OME Dakar's are 2.25 lift, they also say you can remove the 2nd leaf for comfort. I'm going to assume that will also lower it a bit but I might just keep it as is and adjust everything else. Probably just my headlights.

 

Funny I have well over 100,000 miles on my General Spring Heavy Duty springs but do have the Super springs installed.

Then my Truck gets babied very seldom do I load more then a Ton on it any more only 1000 to 1200 pounds every time it gets used

 

Ok the OME Dakar's are 2.25 lift, they also say you can remove the 2nd leaf for comfort. I'm going to assume that will also lower it a bit but I might just keep it as is and adjust everything else. Probably just my headlights.[/QUOTE]

Its the 3rd leaf down they suggest removing for a smoother ride but less load rating... its what ive done and im happy with the ride and height... I have a 4cyl RC , ride is smooth i and gained 2" in the rear... the other option is to remove one of the overload leafs for less lift and keep load rating

 

I have OME Dakars now and I removed the 2nd overload leaf and gained ~2" of lift. I'm super happy with them and they ride great, but you can't get them in a stock height replacement.

 

Sub'd.

I'm in a similar situation, though my suspension all way around is basically shot. The learning curve for what is needed has been a bit steep as well.

Will likely go the OME route myself..

 

damn...so torn

 

What shocks/struts do you have with this combo?

 

I’ve got Kings in the front set to 2”, but the OME 881’s would be perfect with the dakars if you want to maintain a little rake.

I had OME 880’s with Nitrochargers on my old truck and they were great. Definitely a good product.