Sagging with load. Hellwig 991 helper springs?

New here. I have an 04 Double Cab 2wd. I'm looking to either get air bags our helper springs of some kind to help some with sagging when hauling. I'm not looking to increase my load capacity, just not sag when I have a full load. I don't want a stiff ride all the time so I am not sure if I like the idea of different leaves. Air bags give flexibility but can be a pain unless I drop the $ for a pump, not. Also they are more expensive than a helper leaf. Is there a medium pressure I could run that would give some extra support and not ride like junk with an empty bed.....thoughts, experience? I'm looking to do this inexpensively, but I don't want to sacrifice ride quality when not hauling. Half the reason I went with a Tundra was because it doesn't handle like a truck. I was looking at

$148 hellwig 991 EZ-990 helper spring kit

hellwig 991 helper leaves. Anyone have any experience with these? Can you adjust them by how much you tighten the end u-bolts? Thoughts on them?

 

Airbags. There when you need them, invisible when you don't. Not even close

 

Airbags are going to be the best option in my opinion to help prevent sagging when towing but still give you a very nice ride quality while empty. They are able to hold up to 5000lb of load leveling capacity without sagging, helps prevent suspension fatigue and will increase vehicle stability.

The Firestone airbags are a very nice quality product that is very simple to install (1-2 hours).

Here is a link so you can check them out!!! http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/00-06-Tundra-Rear-Air-Bags_p_1201.html


Feel free to PM me anytime with any questions!




-David

 

I have the bags with internal bump-stops. I love the bags but would love to rid of the bump stops.

 

I have the Helwigs on my Tacoma and they do the job. No change in ride and yes they are adjustable through tightening the rear bracket. I did not want to mess with airing up and down the bags.

 

Same here. love my airbags but the bump stops hit too soon

 

Had air bags on a chevy. Never again. They limit articulation, have zero progression and I popped 3 of them at over $100 per bag. They are great if you never leave the pavement but otherwise a nightmare. Have hellwigs now. Less carrying capacity but zero issues. They are adjustable with the Ubolts and Gave about 3/4" lift.
FWIW- have a 200lb sled deck with a 500lb sled on a 2006 tundra and works beauty

 

I'm leaning this way, because it's the cheapest. Do they hold the weight, or does it still sag. Also, how do you guys air your bags? On board compressor unit? $$ Or do you ride a medium pressure all the time? Or do you fill with a shop air compressor?....or stop at the gas station and fill up?

 

I have an auto-leveling kit with an on-board compressor. It uses a magnetic sensor that detects load and pumps them up to bring the truck back to level. When you remove the load, a dump valve bleeds off the extra air. No wiring, gages or airlines into the cab, and no mucking with air valves. It just works.

 

Where did you get it? Still leaning toward the helper spring from helwig, because money is tight.

 

https://www.airliftcompany.com/products/compressor-systems/smartair/

 

Welcome Tim, looks like you're getting the info you need. Nothing more I can say except, welcome to the forum.

 

Looking at Helwig 1250's. Only because I don't like the idea of unbolting my axle, be it very short duration, from my springs. Anyone see an issue with the two piece design of the 1250's vs the 991's? I do realize the weight difference is different, but I'm not trying to increase my overall load, just do a better job at leveling a full load when I have it.

 

You prob have to get new ubolts for the 1 piece design as it makes the leaf pack thicker (i did on my gen1). Just witness mark the axle, cut the ubolts (mine were siezed) and install. My axle did not move at all.