Deavers long-term durability

[Super Doody]

I'm going to be sending in my 7 leaf Deavers to get rebuilt to 9 leaf. I'm just wondering how those with 9 and 10 leaf pack are holding up with long term use.

I'm going to ask them to put about an .5'' extra of lift on the drivers side to compensate for the notorious Tacoma driver side lean.

Thanks.

 

[p1michaud]

Deaver Springs

I'm going to be sending in my 7 leaf Deavers to get rebuilt to 9 leaf. I'm just wondering how those with 9 and 10 leaf pack are holding up with long term use.

I'm going to ask them to put about an .5'' extra of lift on the drivers side to compensate for the notorious Tacoma driver side lean.

Thanks.

I've got the Deaver 9 leaf pack and my truck also has a shell and sleeping platform. As I recall you currently have a shell and are contemplating on building a sleeping platform. My opinion is go with the 10 leaf pack if you are going through the hassle of having them re-built. My 9 leaf pack is great but fully loaded for a trip, they feel the pain. I'm wishing that I had gone with the 10 leaf pack now.

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[Super Doody]

I've got the Deaver 9 leaf pack and my truck also has a shell and sleeping platform. As I recall you currently have a shell and are contemplating on building a sleeping platform. My opinion is go with the 10 leaf pack if you are going through the hassle of having them re-built. My 9 leaf pack is great but fully loaded for a trip, they feel the pain. I'm wishing that I had gone with the 10 leaf pack now.

Cheers :beer:,
P

The thing is. Most of the time, except for my camper shell (~150lbs) is about empty with couple of surfboards and a couple wetsuits (<40lbs). The sleeping platform I'm building is easily removable, I like to remove for daily drive at least half it. So if I go with 10, I'm worried that my ride will be too rough. I heard that a rebuilt 9 leaf will settle more than a brand new 9 leaf? I need to consult with Deavers.

So your leafs are treating well? No softening or sagging?

 

[p1michaud]

Deaver Springs

The thing is. Most of the time, except for my camper shell (~150lbs) is about empty with couple of surfboards and a couple wetsuits (<40lbs). The sleeping platform I'm building is easily removable, I like to remove for daily drive at least half it. So if I go with 10, I'm worried that my ride will be too rough. I heard that a rebuilt 9 leaf will settle more than a brand new 9 leaf? I need to consult with Deavers.

So your leafs are treating well? No softening or sagging?

My Deavers are holding up great. To date they have not sagged after repeated use and loading to date. I had asked for 2" of lift and they maintain that except when I'm fully loaded for a trip. They probably drop by 1", I've noticed it but never measured anything. I have not noticed them being any softer than when they were installed.

I can't comment on how the 10 leafs handle without much weight, but ohter Tacoma owners on ExPo have that set up and should be able to provide some insight. Personally, I'd still go with the 10 leaf pack.

Cheers,
P

 

[wistacoma]

I have a Deaver 10 leaf pack that is holding up great. I went to a feed mill and weighed front and rear axles and gave that info to Deaver along with how much lift I wanted (2 inches) and I couldn't be happier. Truck is equal on both sides and hasn't sagged since install. I can't be 100% sure but I believe Deaver compensates for the extra weight on the drivers side. I do carry a lot of weight all the time so I can"t help you with what they feel like empty, but they are great as a daily driver, rough roads and gravel washboards at high speed.