Add A leaf

I'm looking for advice on this. I really like the way the truck sits now and don't necessarily want to lift the rear but I think the leaf springs are pretty worn. I suppose I could adjust the ICON's to for the new rear height but I was told they come preset at the ideal height. The last time I had a bed full of mulch the truck was sagging really bad. I have no idea what 2 bobcat scoops of mulch weighs but I had serious bro lean going.

We are getting closer to our cross country move and I will likely be pulling a UHaul. I'm not confident it would be safe in it's current state.

• Would the truck ride any better with an ICON expansion pack?
• will they provide enough additional payload to be worth it?

 

I can’t remember which one or if it was both that will do a custom leaf pack at the height you want with additional payload. Alcan and or Deavers

 

I believe it's Deavers. You're talking $1,150 vs $200 though. I will eventually replace the leaf packs but I'm not at that point yet. I've spent around $4,500 on my truck this year....

 

I've got the Icon AAL, they definitely make the ride better. As for load handling I never had anything heavy enough in the bed before I added them to have a frame of reference but they handled a yard and a half of mulch pretty well.

 

I would think you could just go with the add a leaf, it will add a little height, but you can take it back off when your move is over or when you feel like upgrading the packs. I think that’s what I’d do.

 

Did you have a hard time removing the U bolts? That's the one part of my truck that is pretty rusted so I don't think I could remove them without an impact wrench. If I go this route I'm unsure if I would do it myself or not. A shop quoted me $200 to install.

Also, you remove the overload spring correct?

 

If the leaf packs are tired, maybe try replacing with these:
https://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Toyota_Tundra_2000_2006_s/1935.htm

 

Thanks for the reminder on those as I had forgotten these existed.

@MDobb79 have you had a chance to install these yet? Any feedback aside from the initial hiccup when they arrived assembled incorrectly?

 

They come off really easy with a grinder and cut off wheel. It also makes quick work of the old center pin and rivets you need to remove for the new leaves.

One other thing, if you're there look at your bump stops. I didn't realize one of mine was missing and it was too late to grab another so it's still missing because they mount with the ubolts.

 

Yep, one of mine broke off when I installed my rear shocks. I hate the fact that the Wheeler's bumps are so expensive. I don't know if there are other good options or not.

 

You definitely want to replace the ubolts when you replace springs or add a leaf.

 

No doubt. The Add-a-leaf comes with all new Ubolts and hardware. I was going to replace the seat as well but they are expensive. I'll likely take a wire brush to them and paint them.

 

Where will you end up after the move out west?

 

We are not sure yet. Current plan is to list our house this month. We're going to do for sale by owner since we aren't in a big hurry. Looking at a few cities: Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver. Would love to move to parts of
CA but half my guns would be illegal and I don't have to mention the taxes to you I'm sure...

 

Not bad choices! CA is getting way too expensive. I’ll be Reno bound(again) in a few years.

 

CA is trying to keep you folks out.


Kidding, every other state says that about CA people and I wanted to pass it back

 

You could try an inexpensive Helwig-type helper spring. It's supposed to reduce sagging without adding empty load ride harshness (which you'll get with the add-a-leaf unless they are the progressive sets). It worked well on my family member's Tacoma with worn-out springs.

 

My plan for rear spring upgrades is to buy the $118 Husky spring stock height off RockAuto, and add icon/Wheelers AAL to get my 1.5-2" lift back. From my research HuskySpring seems to be a halfway decent cheap spring company. They're actually somewhat local to me here in MN.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2000,tundra,4.7l+v8,1357938,suspension,leaf+spring,7544

 

You cannot increase the payload capacity with any amount of springs. Payload capacity is based on other things.

You can help the way it handles however.

I had the same problem....a pretty sever squat even with just a half capacity load.

I went with Airlift brand rear adjustable airbags. Pretty cheap, easy, and adjustable so it will still ride soft when you don't have a load.

 

That's not what I've read. Multiple people have had custom leaf packs made so they can carry more weight.

 

I think he means legally. Definitely the springs will help the sag and help you handle the weight you plan to carry, better. But it won’t change the legal capacities. I think you knew that though.

 

Well you probably already know but Nevada is probably the lower overall tax rate. Carson City housing is lower cost than Reno. Utah is awesome, Beer sucks. Colorado is beautiful, but Denver is Denver.

FWIW: I've had helper springs on two trucks. I don't think either did as well as a replacement 6 leaf pack that I had installed on a Tacoma.

 

I had a helwig or whatever helper spring. Took them off it didn’t add any height I noticed a littleee help with sag and handling I suppose. I think I still have them
Somewhere

 

Yes, they have been installed for about a month and I am happy with the ride. I am waiting a few more weeks to assess if anymore height adjustments are needed to combat a minor passenger side lean.

 

LOL...I could have written that. We are flying to SLC next month and driving to PDX for a family visit then driving back to SLC...we are doing the driving to scout places we might want to move out west....the two coasts are going batshit crazy....

 

Yep, and I'm not sure about Utah. I've heard it can be tough to make friends if you're not Mormon.We visited Portland last year but the homelessness and 10% income tax is a big turn off. I suspect they will continue to get more progressive too. I wish ID and MT winters were a little less brutal.

 

LOL...I could have written that too! Brutal winters make it easier to justify 2 beach trips a year... ;-)

 

Uh, hello? Texas has no state tax, gun friendly, and real mexican food. And no winters to speak of except up in the panhandle where I live.

 

You can add all the leaf packs in the world but that won't change the actual load capacity of the truck. All it will do is change how much the rear suspension is compressed. Safe load capacity has a lot more to do with brakes, transmission, tires, component thickness, overall vehicle balance etc than it does with springs.

Air bags, added springs etc will help how it looks and rides within that payload capacity however.

And of course, the obvious answer of where to move is Montana. No sales Tax and gun laws that make Texas look like california....no hurricanes and no texas heat.

 

My dad ran the Airlift bags from 2003 to 2010 before they started failing. They were a great choice.

That being said, I replaced the Airlift bags a few years ago with the Icon AAL and he loves them. He always runs with a Flippac and carpet kit in the rear. I bought my Icon AAL from Wheelers a few weeks ago and will be installing the same on my truck.