Rear End suspension help?

i recently added a decked drawer system and a topper to my 2012 double cab. the rear end is now squatting enough to affect the handling of the truck. is there a good lift block or heavier spring/shock replacement that will return the rear end to original ride height?

 

Welcome from SE VA....

 

Deaver U748

Some good discussion about them here
https://www.tundras.com/threads/deaver-k37-vs-u748-pros-and-cons.18008/

 

I would stay away from blocks if your hauling gear or towing often. I would look into coach builder shackles

 

This^^^^

 

I am in the exact same boat. 2018 SR5 TRD Double Cab. Topper and bedslide adversely affected the ride. Lot's of variables go into finding a solution to this problem. One important consideration is do you need your overload leaf. I need to retain the overload leaf or a new set of leaf springs is probably the best solution like the Deavers mentioned. Have to balance rear ride heights rear to front with some of the aftermarket leafs as the lift could be 2 -2.5 inches in the rear.

This is what I plan to try. First, will install Sumo Springs. This will assist my factory leafs, will not correct the ride height. The sumo springs are in my garage now. Will get them installed next week. I feel this may work. Concern is they will be too harsh. Will know soon enough.

Next will be to add the ToyTec 1/2" shim on the left side. This should move some weight to the right rear and right front plus pick up a minimal amount of ride height in the rear.

After that if I'm still not satisfied, it will be new leafs or an add a leaf or a leaf pak. I like the ICON product and the Deaver 3 leaf pak. Will be a decision if it comes to that. Again front ride height will come into the equation.

I am hoping not to have to increase the load capacity and rate of my leaf springs to the point the ride is always harsh. I'll report back after I get the sumo springs in and put a couple hundred miles on.

Good luck.

 

Just long travel the rear

 

Tuff country add-a-leaf

 

No block will help, you will still have the adverse handling. I run the Deaver F85 mini pack added to the stock springs, and heavy. It works for me, have a solid 3/4” lift loaded with RTT and some gear. I also lost the overload, it is terrible for off-roading at anything but slow speeds. The downside is my tow capacity is hindered greatly not having the overload, not an issue for me. The Deaver pack looks like it is part of my leaf pack, the Icon looks like it was made for something else, and fits like shit imo..

 

Hellwig 1909 helper spring kit will raise the truck 1 inch and add 2500 lds but won't effect the ride

 

I ordered from Alcan. Choose the amount of weight you're compensating for and they make it happen. Bill is awesome, knowledgeable and it was faster than anticipated

 

Stiffens up the rear without making it unbearable. Simple install. Inexpensive. Proven results across all trucks for many years.

The tuff country gives about 1.25" rear lift and helps prevent squat.

Add-a-leafs have gotten a bad rap as being stiff as a brick. It's just not the case. It stiffens up the back, yes. But I believe its drivers that go into this with the expectation of lift with no other effects to the characteristics of the truck. If you want a little lift, with a little more stiffness, and a little better load handling, then you can't beat the price.

 

I can see this as being true. The springs in our trucks are pretty soft to begin with, I imagine a little stiffer wouldn’t be end of the world. I wonder how it relates the bed shake down the Highway way??

 

I do not have any bed bounce, bounce, or vibration at any speed, loaded or unloaded.

 

Good to know! I’ll keep that in mind. I’m going to lift the rear of my truck in the future and I’m still on decided how I want to do it.

 

IMHO, YMMV, etc.....
Blocks= garbage, no benefit, hurt your springs, increase axle wrap.
Shackles= great, easy way to lift the rear. Increased articulation. Increased travel. Does nothing for load carrying capability or preventing squat.
Add-A-Leaf= simple, provides lift, helps support an inherently weak leaf pack. Helps prevent squat.
Expansion packs= from the research that I did, none of them will prevent squat or better handle added weight over stock springs. They will lift the rear end, but support will be the same or worse.
Custom packs= Have a custom pack built to handle the loads I would regularly be carrying. Most expensive, but the right way.

A custom pack would be ideal, it's just not in my budget. If you're towing or hauling you either need to go with an AAL or a full custom leaf pack.

With all of that said, you could always run airbags with cradles. Don't mess with the suspension at all and just increase your load carrying capability without the squat.

 

I would install an Air-Lift system with an onboard controller, that's the ideal solution.

 

Definitely wasn’t going to go blocks. Was thinking 2 + shackle. Then adding a timbren or sumo spring with a spacer. The timbren cradle is able to be used with a superbump. I would be running just superbump stops, then swapping to one of the forementioned when I have a load. @JoshuaA is running this. He likes it. I would love a different leaf pack but that’s pricey. I already have a superbump that I took off the front and I think they’re all the same thing.

But now I’m considering the addaleaf if it doesn’t affect ride quality too much when unloaded.

 

My next purchase

 

I have used Alcan twice, Bill & his leaf springs are awesome.

 

No

 

This is an awesome option and I'm glad you followed up on that, you had mentioned that in another thread.

Your overall idea is great. The shackle will get you the lift and other benefits. The Superbump will handle normal duty, swap out the Sumospring when you need it. Then you'll have the best of all worlds, a nice soft compliant rear end all of the time and then the load carrying capability of the SumoSprings. Almost wish I went that direction , shackle swap is easier than an AAL as well.

 

I know the timbren works as per what he said. Unsure of the summo spring at this point. Someone said it takes an 8 mm bolt. If it mounts the same way as the timbren. I’m sure something could be adapted if not completely interchangeable. I need to have it in my hand LOL i’ve heard good things about the sumo spring that it is a little more soft and reacts different. I wish there was a clear answer for what I want to do. But I’m feeling this may be what I attempt.

 

My understanding is a custom leaf feels great if your permanent load is always there (cap, tools etc) but once you lessen the weight, it feels worse again. Correct?

 

OP, that's a permanent load, I'd do custom leafs like Alcans. Someone had your exact question a few months ago, did that and they loved it.

Airbags and these are more for off and on hauling/towing.

 

This has been my thought all along. Changing out the leaf pack or doing and add a leaf is going to change the way the truck rides unloaded no matter what IMHO. Bags will still limit your travel when unloaded or loaded. There is no 100% answer other than completely changing set ups when towing. If you want to be able to tow heavy loads and also have a flexible truck when I unloaded, it’s almost impossible. Now if you always have a static load you can set it up for that, but if you have inconsistent loads it’s hard to adjust. I feel that your solution was a good compromise all the way around, for what you and I use the trucks for. If I was set up with overland gear I would think a leaf pack would be my first choice and I would still add that timbren if I was going to tow something.