For those with Decked/Shell/extra weight, what's your rear setup?

yeah, I’d didn’t state that correctly from what was rattling around in my head.
I meant to say luck with the RXT and not so much with other Icon option, i.e, add a leaf.

Trying to type to fast and not explaining it in detail.

It makes way more sense in my head.

 

Pure genius ^^^^

 

Please tell them I sent you

 

My tundra is carrying about 1100lb all the time. I used the icon helper pack for around 2 years, while I did extensive research and study for a better solution. By better, I mean that almost immediately after installing the icons, it was evident that they were inadequate.
Ended up with a set of custom Alcan leaf springs and now it’s riding perfectly.
The big caveat is that it is only working so well because the load is constant. If I were to remove the load from my truck, I’m sure the ride would be horrible and stiff.

 

could you share why they were inadequate!? Thanks for sharing!

 

I guess that’s one benefit of the RXT system Is you could adjust for long term weight or load changes if you changed up the build.

 

They flattened out within weeks

 

Lots of reviews kinda like that about icon leafs. I steered clear due to this forum. Maybe even your experiences. Thanks!

 

Decked + GFC popup here ... Toytec 1.5 shackles (set @ 1") and 5160s, along with Ride Rite bags around 5-10psi, and they sit in Daystar cradles. Still have the 5100s at the top setting up front and it's about 1/2" lower in front vs. the rear. Installing the 6112s soon, went for the highest setting. Trying to keep things mild and close to stock.

 

Man I like the GFC’s. So cool. Wait list is ridiculous though. What’s the weight on your camper?

 

They spec them at ~ 300lbs ... being that this is the XL version, maybe closer to 350; either way, light enough that I can still load up and not be too concerned about the pitiful GVWR for these trucks.

 

I have a pretty heavy ATC cap with drawer mounted to the roof and an uptop overland rack along with a bedslide so the ongoing weight is substantive in back. I have bilstein 5100's all around with a plus two cb shackle in back with min rake...shims in front are two on drivers side one on passenger side. lift about 2.25 inches. I am about ready to add a c4 hybrid bumper with a winch...that will take it to an extra 250 lbs up front. I will add either a fox toytec or icon 2.5 coilover plus 2.0 in rear with a plus 3 shackle in back....I will likely keep 295/70/18's for now

 

Stance looks good with all that weight.

 

Well an update here! I have a date tomorrow. Will let you know if she falls out of the truck lol
If you wanna trip people lift her up and get all the leafs. If you’re not the adventurous type keep her level and moderately lifted with shackles blocks and what not
I’ll also get her to give a ride review. Will be rough riding and unloaded theoretically

 

But seriously I’ll ask her about the ride, of the truck.

 

that’s awesome.
Good luck!

 

Well, suspension aside Casanova, how was the date? Did she fall out, where's her ride review ?

 

Haha, I was nice and warned her. Paid off, she liked my nice guy front

 

I still like that gal and I’m thinking about how to solve my heavy ass leaf spring problem once and for all!

 

Yeah that'll do it! Add you're swing out bike rack on that and you'll be level in no time HAHA.

 

Yeah that swing out bike rack shoulda been sold already. But maybe I won’t have a departure angle issue with the relocated hitch anymore and I can add the swing out back on? But obviously I just gotta add Weight to make it ride better

 

Well the first decision is made. Found an awesome deal on a TRD pro suspension and skid plate with 9k on them. I’ll take out the spacers lift, install that the TRD Pro’s , see how the rake is and figure out the leafs.
I’m pretty stoked right now ......

 

Sweet start!

 

End goal will be ~750-950lb in the bed at all times, so I went with Dobinsons HD leaf pack and Toytec shackles (currently at the lowest hole); Toytec Aluma 2.0 IFP rear shocks and SumoSprings as well.

This pic has DECKED drawers, 5 stock wheels/tires, and the full stock suspension in the bed

 

Nice setup. From what I’ve read, cost vs performance the Dobinsons leaf is my
Top choice.

 

From a few days of driving around with just the weight of the drawers in the back (waaaay under what the setup is intended for), it really isn't bad; maybe a bit harsh, but honestly feels much more "normal" than my 4Runner when it only has 300lbs in the back (it has Dobinsons springs/shocks, the rears are intended for +600-800lb constant load)

 

Yeah it sounds like with your weight setup. I’ll be fine with the mediums.

 

@Mallcrl Nice setup and thanks for sharing about the Dobinsons HD rear leaf! Could you be so kind as to follow up with some further detail driving on those springs with your current setup?

I am in a very similar place— trying to choose between the Dobs mediums and HD leafs. I’m same as you- just have the Decked, so plus gear I’m at like you at ~300lbs. My constant load will end up being ~5-600lbs (adding a Leitner bed rack and accessories, SDHQ sliders, and I tow stuff)...

I really like the potential benefit of the HD springs as future-proof for additions, and my towing is moderate enough to expect I could avoid airbags. The caveat is the stiffness factor when my load is light. I don’t mind some stiffness but I also don’t want my whole truck chattering/vibrating over everything...(plan on getting a complete Dobs suspension kit with IMS monotubes

Any little details describing your experience before adding more weight is greatly appreciated! Also should I consider shackles for my setup?

 

So I'll say that over the past ~45k miles I've been nothing but pleased with the Dobby setup on my 4Runner (Extended travel front, with standard travel, heavy load rears; installed before IMS was a thing), I was planning on swapping over to the IMS shocks, and then the Tundra became a possibility. My choice to go with something different for the front (and rear shocks) was simply a "take the advice given" decision. I don't think you'd be unhappy with the IMS.

My end goal for weight in the rear (in the short term) will be: Drawers, ARB Elements fridge/slide, Group 31 battery, ~100lbs of stuff in the drawers, bed rack, awning, hi-lift, hardshell RTT, and sliders. For trips this will increase by ~100-125lbs for water/etc.

At the end of the summer the bed rack/RTT will be replaced by an AT Overland Atlas that is on order; and hopefully by then LFD Off Road will have their rear dual swing-arm bumper built. Guessing based on the weight of their bumper on my 4Runner, the bumper alone will be 250-275lbs and the AT Overland topper is about 150lbs more than the bed rack/RTT.

For these reasons the full HD leaf pack as well as adjustable Toytec shackles were picked; the shackles are in their lowest spot now, easily allowing for another ~3/4" of lift if needed after more weight is added. Whether or not they should be considered, that's a question for the pro's. I've worked in the aftermarket auto industry for nearly 2 decades and tuned plenty of suspension setups, but the truck side of things is still fairly new to me. The Tundra is the first vehicle I've owned with leaf springs, and there is plenty I need to still learn.

Driving around with only 230lbs (empty drawers) in the bed, the ride is still notably softer than many stock pick ups. For instance, our FD has a 2002 Silverado 2500 (crew cab long bed), which is usually empty except for a fiberglass topper; and my truck rides MUCH better than it does. Sharp bumps (like expansion joints) don't seem to upset the rear any more than they did stock. There is just a bit of a "spring" in the back (I'm not sure how else to describe it) over larger undulations.

For what it's worth, before deciding on my setup, I drove Apex Overland's shop truck; a CM tundra with the same setup in front as me, but with just the Toytec add-a-leaf in the rear (for weight they have a steel rear bumper, sliders, large dometic fridge, and a GFC camper). The trucks seem to ride similarly, except for the fact that mine is definitely taller in the rear. They are doing airbags in the rear as they tow a lot (It's the tow rig, not the wheeling truck). If you are at all local to NC, I'd highly recommend giving them a shout; for what it's worth, I make the 5.5hr drive there from MD.

 

thank you @Mallcrl - (I live in New Hampshire these days but I did live in western NC years ago, still pass through to visit friends on my way to my home state Louisiana.)

I‘ll mull it over a bit more- it seems like the HD’s wouldn’t bother me much when I’m riding light (4-600lbs). The mediums would likely work for me as well but may end up pairing with airbags for when fully loaded and towing. Although with a lot of my tow/haul being frequent, varied, short, it feels like a hassle to deal with airbags unless i did an onboard/remote inflate system.

Cool truck, i like your plans, look forward to seeing the updates.