Vote on a fix for my blunder

Ok, I made the classic mistake of over/future-estimating my truck weight so my static weight doesn't sag my springs enough. (FLAME ON!)
Specifically, I have stage III Deavers with an Archive Garage shock mount relocation and AG Hammer Hangers. The rig is a 2012 base 4x4 RC/manual with a Leer cap, BAMF skids and Shrockworks sliders; I estimate that to be at least 500lbs over stock.
I didn't mind the stiffness. But the resulting lift left me ~1" of down travel and crucially, the driveshaft angle was too large.

I have temporarily removed the 5th leafs which helped lower the rear and along with some adding some angled shims to slightly reduce the driveshaft angle. But (as I was warned by Deavers) the handling went from Awesome to schite, which pretty much defeats the purpose of buying Deaver$.

Crystal ball is 'cloudy' for budget on planned bumpers (hc, steel plate/hybrid) and winch. But it will happen in due course.

I want my suspension to be "flexy". The ultimate goal is to get it as crawl-worthy as I can on this platform (e.g. no SAS, no LT) and of course still dd. *Wheels, gears and lockers, and maybe some gusseting will basically "complete" the build.

*yoU wiLl NoT rEemeMber m3 sayIng tHat*
*Also, replacement parts/upgrades, 'small' do-dads, accessories and cosmetics (lights and such) are not included in 'complete build' clause. See store for details, batteries not included. May cause headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, mild pregnancy.


To my options, then:

1) Replace stage III with stage II- sell stage III to offset cost. Stage II will be stiff enough even with bumpers. Because its a Regular cab, and also it should be flexy, but will be better behaved than stage III with a leaf removed

2) Keep stage III and get bigger shims to fix the ds angle until more weight arrives. Bumpers/winch will put you at well over 700lbs above stock. Regular cab/2.4L weight difference pffft! Stage II will be clapped out in 5 years.

3) YOU LOSE: turn truck in to TW, and start over with a Ridgeline and work your way back up to a turd gen!

 

TL; DR what??

 

^ wut

 

TL; DR = too long, didn't read.

 

Ok, yeah I get it.
Yet another ‘what should I do about suspension’ thread. But in Twitter-busting format.

Tough crowd

 

Might have a sweet deal on some stage iii deavers in norcal coming up- with the right votes.

 

Option 4, (since you didn't mention your other lift specs), go back to stock suspension while you 'complete' your build. Then put the springs that match the weight back on.

You went on for a bit but I didn't see your current suspension details other than the stage 3 deavers. I don't see your future plans that are going to require stage 3 deavers. How much lift do you want? If you want flexi boi why not get some longer shocks in the back?

Maybe I'm wrong but I feel like your math is off. If you weighed your rear wheels only before and after I doubt the items listed are adding 500 lbs to what the rear springs are carrying. Plus youve got a regular cab... Is it possible stage 3 was over shooting even your end build?

Shit man, I don't really know anything. But I too like writing posts that make folks tldr so don't turn in your TW card and buy a Ridgeline just yet.

 

@PinStripes, thanks for the input. You are nailing my question perfectly.
But to answer your questions, I think the stock leafs are probably not an option anymore given a rear shock relocation kit has been installed.
The relocation gave me room for Fox 2.5 x 12 rr smoothies.
Up front I went with SPCs and Fox ext length 2.5 Factory Tacoma CO with rr and 650# eibach springs.

So I thought stage III was for carrying over 600# added weight which meant weight added to the stock vehicle weight. Not weight in just the rear, carried by just the leafs.
If that’s the case, mystery solved! Obviously I need stage II.
Or even stage I??


Warning: Additional reading ahead. Will not be on test.

Or I just need a nice hc bumper with dual swing outs, a mounted spare and 2 loaded jerry cans back there!

Addendum 1.100i

The BAMF skids ( ‘trilogy’ plus lca skids) and Shrockworks sliders product weights are listed in the website and which I mathed to be about 330#. I’m estimating the cap at 180#.
It was enough to crush the stock leafs, duh.

 

Thanks @whatstcp. You’ve raised good points about my configuration.
I probably should have gone RXT for exactly the reasons you give. Alas!
Still may yet tho.

But to the extent that I stay with deavers, are you voting for stage I with the current weight; stage II with added bumpers and winch?

(Which makes the IIIs just a wee bit wrong.)

I had convinced myself I was already close to the recommended max for II without bumpers/winch. And then the cash for said accessories has been slower than expected to materialize.

 

^ Lol, I actually got my whole suspension kit from accutune, so I will take your sage advice, weigh my ass, and get the spec back to them.
Mighta woulda done it this way next last time!

...or like you said, get icons and pick what I like.