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Which helper springs

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Silver Streak, Apr 13, 2013.

  1. May 6, 2013 at 7:18 AM
    #41
    ostroud18

    ostroud18 Well-Known Member

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    Does the helper springs raise the rear of the truck and do they make the ride harder?
     
  2. May 6, 2013 at 7:50 AM
    #42
    Ray

    Ray Well-Known Member

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    No, they don't affect the unladen ride at all and will not change the ride height. I've used them on my last 4-trucks (2-Dakota's, an F-150 and our '09 Tacoma.) I wasn't able to get Toyota to do the TSB spring upgrade due to warranty issues (they allowed me $500 towards an estimated $1300 cost) so for about $80 I went with the Helwig-550 springs.

    So far we've towed a 4000-lb trailer/load, hauled 1165-lb of car parts and made several trips with 400+lb loads without bouncing off the stops. The empty ride hasn't changed at all.

    Ray
     
  3. May 22, 2013 at 6:40 PM
    #43
    mdurbs68

    mdurbs68 Well-Known Member

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    Just ordered 550s. Waiting for delivery. Are these better installed in front or behind rear axel?
     
  4. May 22, 2013 at 7:03 PM
    #44
    Chris24

    Chris24 Well-Known Member

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    Behind rear axle is what is says in the instructions
     
  5. Jun 7, 2013 at 8:40 PM
    #45
    stump jumper

    stump jumper Well-Known Member

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    I was going to install mine tonight but they looked like they were going to come down on the leave keeper. I decided to wait for better light. I really wanted to get them on and test with the boat.
     
  6. Jun 8, 2013 at 5:27 AM
    #46
    bjboucher

    bjboucher Mama says Tacoma World is da devil!

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    OME complete kit w/ 885s on Nitrocharger Sports, 1/4" spacers, Dakars w/ Nitrocharger Sports, LR UCAs, 265/70-17, Duratracs, G4 Elite tonneau, Weathertech Window Deflectors, Weathertech digital floor liners, factory JBL/Entune, rear differential breather relocate.
    If you have the 4-leaf TSB leafs, the keepers do kind of get in the way. Here's a pic of mine......

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jun 10, 2013 at 8:30 AM
    #47
    stump jumper

    stump jumper Well-Known Member

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    I am calling Hellwig today. I thought about bending the tops of the keepers up. I would rather the Hellwog sit on the top leaf
     
  8. Jun 10, 2013 at 11:14 AM
    #48
    Chris24

    Chris24 Well-Known Member

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    Let us know what they say!
     
  9. Jun 12, 2013 at 8:36 AM
    #49
    stump jumper

    stump jumper Well-Known Member

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    talked to Hellwig today. There are 2 choices. Get rid of keepers or do like i will and bend the 90 out of the top. Uboats in helper will work as keepers. Might not be what you want you want to hear but only way to make them right. I was already thinking the second option and offered it as solution.
     
    R61988 likes this.
  10. Dec 3, 2019 at 3:27 PM
    #50
    MARK4A3

    MARK4A3 Member

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    Has anybody offroaded with these things?
     
  11. Dec 3, 2019 at 6:17 PM
    #51
    cwadej

    cwadej Ballerina Award winner

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    I had a set of helper springs on a trailer, a few thousand off road miles on it, never an issue. Gravel roads to just almost rock crawling.
     
    GasPowered likes this.
  12. Dec 3, 2019 at 6:24 PM
    #52
    Sterling_vH111

    Sterling_vH111 Go do something real instead.

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    If you are wanting stiffer springs and intend to offroad, I'd look into add-a-leaf packs.
    They bolt up to your existing leafs, lift the vehicel 1-2", and provide stiffer spring rate.
    You can get single leaf ones or progressive 3 leaf ones, depending on if you tow (single), or want to have a more offroad biased setup (3 leaf).
     
  13. Dec 3, 2019 at 6:29 PM
    #53
    MARK4A3

    MARK4A3 Member

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    Yeah. With sliders and Decked drawers full of equipment, I noticed the rear is sagging some on my 19 OR m/t. I do wanna off road it and eventually add more armor or an RTT. So AAL or a new spring pack is in my future then.
     
  14. Oct 2, 2020 at 7:42 PM
    #54
    jkSR51811

    jkSR51811 Member

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    So question for you guys, I have an ‘18 with a 3” AAL in the rear, I’m picking up a canopy and have a RTT I intend to run on top of it, are these helper springs worth adding or will the AAL be fine?
     
  15. Oct 3, 2020 at 6:01 AM
    #55
    Steadfast

    Steadfast Well-Known Member

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    Go to a spring shop and have 1 or 2 more proper springs added. That's what I did
     
  16. Oct 21, 2021 at 11:05 AM
    #56
    Lava-road

    Lava-road Well-Known Member

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    Hard top camper...many more to add+
    Your ride will be a bit stiffer, feel the bumps more, can be jarring…the rear end won’t dip as much too
    Both comes in a set…
    981’s anytime any shackles that have space in between…ok for street use…But off roading the bouncing will create Banging noises….I remove minds and will never get theses…I had one similar to Ironman load-plus…
    The 550’s are touching …NO noises…ride will be bit harsher…joist…expect this..everyone’s experiences may differ due to your set-up on your truck,load weight, and style of suspension…shocks, bump stops..

    Maybe a new set of springs (deaver ) or custom made to your requirements? Steadfast above maybe the best advice!
    Aloha
     

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