New to me 2001 4x4 5spd V6

I ended up with about 3.5-4 inches of lift. I had stock leafs with the overload in place, plus the Deaver minipack. It's a 3-leaf progressive leaf pack. https://deaverspring.com/product/ta...years-3-leaf-overload-replacement-1-1-2-lift/
If you don't want lift, then I would go stock springs with airbags. It'll support the weight when you need it, and the ride wont' be harsh when the bed is empty.

 

Thanks. I suppose worst case if I got stock springs and airbags, I could always add a leaf later if I thought I needed it. But doing leaf springs is a pretty major job for me...and I'd rather not do it twice. One of the reasons I keep leaning back toward HD springs every time I think I've decided to just go with stock leafs...

 

Go HD. I have no complaints about the ride or the additional lift of 1”. I just need a scoche more ride height. And I tow a TT. Sags pretty good in the back when we go camping. Would like to support the weight better.

 

I likely will. I'm more willing to put up with an inch lift than take a chance on being disappointed by stock springs. I know a lot of people want soft rides, but I didn't mind the ride with HD springs on my Tacoma. I don't like stiff, jarring suspension, but I do like firm, 'I can take a bump' suspension.

Now the 2883s (pretty sure that's what I put on the front of the Tacoma) and OME shocks up front were a completely different story. I was never happy with the ride up front. Too stiff and jarring. But I liked the feel of the HD leaf springs.

I'm hoping the extra weight of the Tundra will make 2883s feel just right.

 

Adding to the hijack just to help out. Based on the last couple pages of banter, you won't be disappointed with the ATS HD.

I had the RAS on my DC - I have full time snugtop canopy and don't carry much regularly, but do carry good size load from time to time. The RAS was great - I had em on my old T100 too and loved it. I didn't want a lift which was my primary motivator for staying with it. I towed a little here and there with utility trailer and never had an issue.

I finally decided to go with the 6125 up front (I lifted minimum 1" to match my ATS HD) when I did decide to replace my RAS/stock springs. They perform better in ever scenario; I am really glad I went this route. They're not harsh (was a concern of mine) and just deal with every type of truck thing I do just as well or better than the stock with RAS setup.

 

whatcha do with that RAS….

 

Sold to a dude on here shortly after swapping springs - $50!

 

dang

 

That's a true Gem

 

I ordered this HD leaf spring setup yesterday desiring an increase of capacity weight to include the fiberglass topper and supply.

 

If you think about it, take some before/after measurements. Just curious to see what you end up getting.

The forward driver side mount is probably the only difficult fastener. When hanging your spring, if doing it solo, or even if not, I found using the OEM bottle jack to be a lifesaver to incrementally lift/hold the spring so the bolt holes line up. Maybe a helpful protip if you haven't done yours yet.

Don't forget to remove your lower shock bolt, helps a ton with axle travel.

 

I just put the same springs on today. Went surprisingly well. Torque wrench bit it on the third 125 ft/lb hanger/shackle bolt so I had to guess the rest until I buy a new one.

When you get them, make sure the shackles are installed on the right end of the spring pack. I put new shackles on mine so I can't say for sure I didn't mix them up, but I'm pretty sure they came with shackles installed on the short end of the leaf, rather than the long end. Confused us a for a few minutes.

 

To avoid this, I used a paint pen to mark an arrow pointing forward on the forward-facing end of the OEM leaf pack.
When I pulled the leaf pack, I put the ATS and OEM leaf packs side-by-side so the long/short ends matched, and moved over the hanger to the ATS pack.
Then reinstalled the leaf pack; for good measure, I marked the new leaf pack with similar arrow pointing forward b/c I can be a mindless dumbass at times.

 

That, apparently, would have been far too strategic...

Luckily we caught it when there were only two shackle bolts installed, and only snug, not torqued. This time was way better than when I did them on my Tacoma. Having a friend helped, but also, there were no real issues. All the bolts came out no problem with the impact wrench, minimal wrestling to get the new bolt holes lined up. Less frustrating all around than I remembered the job being.

Nic I think I remember we were talking about not wanting a lift, earlier on. I found lowering shackles from Total Chaos and installed those with the new springs. I haven't had a chance to really look close at things, but at first glance I'm really happy with how it turned out. I was very worried about the rear end being jacked up. It's not. I'll get measurements and photos before long, but with OME 2883s + 1stgenoffroad 1/4" spacers up front, and the ATS HD leaf springs in the back with 3/4" lowering shackles, I actually think I found the sweet spot. Might have just returned the truck to the OEM rake.

 

Don't worry @bmf4069 has horror stories too. He was the inspiration behind my process. This is why I always share openly any of my failures on here, and I'm happy to see people confident enough to share their f-ups on here all the same. We don't all need to fail; one person sharing their failures can help dozens of others from having to learn, similarly, the hard way.

(Now if I could just get our kids to actually listen when we share our failures, so they don't make the same mistakes...)

 

Amen.

 

Yeah, we just straight put the springs on backerds. Beer may or may not have been involved.

 

Funny. We noticed there was no way the alignment pin on the leaf springs was going to reach the hole on the axle. "Either I bought the wrong springs, something else is weird here..."

 

At least you didn't get out the chain binders

 

We knew better than to force it

 

New ATS heavy duty 4 leaf

Original equipment soft 3 leaf

 

The bolts have to be installed in a certain direction or else they don't fit or get stuck behind the Reese hitch.


Then you have to cut the bolt short that goes under the bump stop.

The truck lifted a little bit but I'm really happy

 

It’ll be great when you have your camper shell on there

 

Looks great! Yep, we had to cut that center bolt, too, but since I replaced my stock bump stops with Sumo Springs, I wasn't sure if that was the reason.

With the 3/4" lowering shackle, I think I got almost no lift at all. It definitely raised the back end from where it was sitting due to completely worn leaf springs, but I don't think I'm much higher than stock.

 

Definitely had to cut and file the center pin bolt on mine also.

 

I also wanted to mention that the bolts on the shackle have to be installed a certain way. Anyone installing new leaf springs, note the image I have shown of the bolt orientation.

 

Here is where I'm at right now. Empty tank of gas and fresh springs installed yesterday. Once I get a full tank and the springs settle a little it should be fine. The ride is definitely a bit firmer but I believe it really needed it so I'm happy. Would recommend to anyone on the site to get these springs especially if you have a topper or use a trailer.
After:


Before:

 

Yeah looks great. I agree, they feel good. I've been driving a lot of dirt roads that are pretty trashed as winter starts thawing, and I love the way my suspension feels.