Rear Leaf Spring Upgrades

Ok, so our truck are old and starting to sag. There are a few options out there for new leafs whether it be:
add-a-leaf
deavers leaf spring pack
ATS leaf spring pack

Anyone done this yet? If so what did you go with.

Anyone looking to do this can post any pertinent info they have for the job at hand.

 

Thank you!

 

I'm thinking of going this route since I have 1.25" blocks in the rear currently.
ATS HD springs which should add enough lift to get rid of my blocks. Then I'll need new u-bolts and saddles since I'm already in there. Not sure about sumo springs or other bumpstops as I may reuse the stock ones.

 

Alcan custom leaf pack. They make it for what you want.

 

Did you have Alcans on your 1st gen?

 

I'm going with a full leaf spring replacement, built by a local company. I've also ordered Sumo Springs since I have no bump stops at all. Whether they'll ruin my unloaded ride or not seems to be a matter of who you talk to. Either way, they seem pretty easy to install/remove so if it really comes down to it I'll pull them out and only use them when I plan to run loaded or tow.

 

Yes, them as well. Except I really just want back to stock performance maybe add a bit. I'm sure a custom leaf pack would be considerable more money.

 

curious to find out the pricing of this all said and done.
I keep going back and forth on ATS website wondering what other parts I need besides the leafs. What shape u-bolts, what length, new saddles, shackles?

 

Are sumo basically a air bag setup?
I was also thinking about going local, I see quite a few local shops that do custom leafs, just not sure how specific Toyota leafs need to be, seems like these other companies have more knowledge of yota needs specifically. So that’s where and why I’m on the fence with local

 

No I believe they are a top rubber plate covered spring basically, instead of a fully rubber only all the way through stock bumpstop.

 

I'm currently $380 Canuckistani Pesos for the Sumo Springs. I believe leafs will run me another $300 and changed, maybe a bit less based on what my friend paid to have new ones put on his 1 ton. Then labor, since I'm having it done. I'm not on saddles, shackles etc. I'll let the mechanic make that call when he gets under the truck. I'm basically budgeting $800 - $1000 all in.

Sumo are a high density foam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGbTbSisBd4

 

I stand corrected. I thought they had an inner spring.

 

These informative threads might need a "First Gen" prefix in the title to help keeping it relevant to our trucks since we can't drop the shoe anymore.

Adding links to my posts on the subject...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...t-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-905#post-2171032

https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...t-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-938#post-2210760

https://www.tundras.com/threads/gen-1-leaf-springs-are-so-cool.88670/#post-2231406

https://www.tundras.com/threads/suspension-thread-79425.91329/page-3#post-2301559

https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-big-is-yours-measure-up.46186/page-3#post-2333418

 

Thank you for your contribution. I feel like we need the prefix on all our threads…….

did you mention your reason for going with ats over other brands?

 

Going with ATS specifically was probably swayed heavily by my conversation on the phone with them. When they didn't have an answer to my question about the HD spring compatibility for my 4x2, they found out and called me back and it turned out that the HD leaf springs for the 4x4's was a different spec than the 4x2. They did not specifically have a 4x2 listed HD spring but now they do. I appreciate that kind of helpfulness from a vendor and I never felt pressured to buy from them. I was emailed a quote for when I was ready to buy.

As for choosing HD springs vs progressive multi- leaf, my needs were just load/towing capacity improvement over stock, not off-road improvement. I think your needs are opposite mine so you might consider the Deaver/Alcan set-up for better off-road capability.

 

Good info, and good review on the company, it’s rare to get anyone to do extra work. What were the 4x4-4x2 differences; just the spring rate or a physical difference?
I do tow, sometimes, but probably not the kind of stuff your towing. I do off-road somewhat often, so hopefully deaver or alcan can provide something for the tweener that I seem to be.

 

Here's a copy and paste of the email on the difference on the 4x2...

Me:
Trying to digest all the info we talked about, was the only/main difference the arch height between this and the 90-221HD? The 90-221 HD arch height is listed as being 7 1/4"

ATS:
Yes, the arch is looking to be different and the general make up of the steel gauge being used.

Based on that info I'd guess that the 4x4 HD springs would physically fit the 4x2, but I never specifically asked that question so I can't say for sure.

 

More relevant links...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/rear-shocks-what-should-i-get.65861/page-2#post-1765493

https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...t-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-711#post-1866220

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-lunch-table-general-discussion.60450/page-475#post-2190740

 

I went with Alcan around 2013 or so. Custom pack made to be 2" higher than stock when carrying 250lbs. Flexy as hell but works fine when loaded with camp gear.

 

Thanks for linking to these posts. Like you, I have a 4X2 since it meets my needs here in the desert for what I do and I believe I'm going to go with the rear leafs you did. Are you running the stock shackles with the ATS set-up or something else?

 

Keep in mind that you should never reuse the ubolts. They are designed for the threads to stretch when correctly torqued.

 

Glad to help have all the info in one place. Yes, still running the stock shackles as they were in great shape. My ATS spring swap was just springs and u-bolts, I re-used the stock 4 eye bolts even though ATS included 2 new ones.

 

Running the icon 3 lead AAL with the overload still in place. Works well with my 200k mile factory leads. Tows good. But the squeak from the rivets is horrible. If anyone goes this route grind the rivets down 3/4 of the way. The retainers will still stay but the rivets won’t come in contact with the overload unless fully compressed

 

Keep us updated. I'm in the same boat. When the frame was swapped, they apparently never reinstalled the bump stops.

I have a broken spring and I don't need HD springs. I had air bags before in my SUV, but all the kits for Tundras require drilling the frame and installing at an angle so I was looking at those sumo kits too.

 

Good to know. I'm definitely getting the ATS leaves but I've got to get these SPC UCA's on first. I took the truck out yesterday and filled it with fuel for the first time since I bought it and it sagged noticeably (to my eye, at least), so I know the leaf springs are shot. The PO installed a hitch at some point, so they obviously towed something with the truck at least occasionally. Thanks again for the ATS heads-up.

 

The stock springs are pretty weak IMO. Take center hub to fender measurements for reference before doing the springs.

 

Agreed, and I'll definitely take the measurements. It should be fine. The front is currently 5/8" higher than the rear. I've got the Bilstein 5100's on the 4th notch and haven't installed the 5100's on the rear yet. They're just sitting in the garage waiting.

 

Hmm… 390 for the leafs 100 bucks shipping.. I’ll definitely be watching your guys experiences with the ATS springs. I was planning on archive garage HD pack in a year or 2. But these are much cheaper and if they work will be good for me

 

Exactly my thoughts. Seem like a good deal price wise