Leaf Springs

[blur13]

Hi Everyone,

I just found these forums (through ttora) and I'm really excited, because it looks like there is a lot of great info. Anyway, I have a question and had limited success with searching...

I have an '03 X-cab taco. It's currently got a donahoe ext. kit w/ 7-leaf deavers for suspension. My problem is that the back end has really started to sag - especially under loads. I've decided to upgrade the leaf pack.

I've noticed a lot of people on the boards have a 10-leaf pack. At first, I thought it would be overkill, but after I load up the camping/biking/boating gear plus tools, water, food, etc. it seems that a 10-leaf pack might be the right choice.

So, is this the best choice? Are there any other choices I should consider, such as shackles? Also, I'd like to keep about 2-3" of lift back there...

I'd really appreciate any input/ideas...
Thanks!

 

[Rockcrawler]

I'm not a taco guy... so listen at your own risk.

Taco or Jeep etc... the best thing to do is to work with a good quality leaf spring company, Deaver, Alcan etc. and give them all the pertinent information for your application. Weight at each wheel, amount of lift/travel desired, if you're going to have a range of weights such as loaded/unloaded pickups.

From the boards I've seen that Deaver seems to do a good job for the Taco guys, but I'm sure some other people can provide you with some more information.

Good luck and welcome.

Kyle

 

[Bergger]

Deavers are certainly a very good choice. I actually went with an OME set up in the rear (leafs, shocks and shackles). I carry a lot of crap when I camp and often tow a camper so I wanted a leaf pack that kept the overload leafs. I have been very happy with the OME suspension. Improvements over stock include 3" of lift (even after 2 years), way more travel/articulation, better load capacity and a better ride. It's just another option to look at.

 

[mountainpete]

I have the Deaver 10 pack and I am quite happy with it. However, with no real weight in the back the rear is very, very stiff. With a shell on the truck and less than 50 lbs in the bed, it is all over the road when it hits washboard. With a weeks worth of gear, fuel and water, it rides beautifully and tracks great. The articulation is excellent as well.

Another option is to send you current 7 pack back to Deaver and have some additional leafs added - it will save you money and you will basically get new springs out of it.

With a Deaver 10, you will not need to change the shackles to get 3" of lift.

Hope that helps

Pete

 

[erin]

I am currently in the same boat, and having talked to deaver recently, they will rebuild no problem. Not sure how much capacity you are looking to add, but I only need to bump up to 9 leaves, which they quoted right at $260 w/ new bushings and u bolts, hardware etc. I would think a 10 leaf reconfigure would be just a bit more. Of course, you pay initail freight also. The 2 leaves should add approx 400 additional lbs of capacity by the way. Give em a call, very easy to work with, and they told me it would be a one day job, so down time will be minimal.

 

[wistacoma]

I have a 2004 Ext Cab that I usually carry 450 to 600 lbs on a daily basis. I went to the local feed mill and had front and rear axles weighed and sent information to Deaver who built me a ten pack to those specs. Could not be happier, with donahoes front and rear and this leaf pack my truck is perfect for what I do.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Deavers are certainly a very good choice. I actually went with an OME set up in the rear (leafs, shocks and shackles). I carry a lot of crap when I camp and often tow a camper so I wanted a leaf pack that kept the overload leafs. I have been very happy with the OME suspension. Improvements over stock include 3" of lift (even after 2 years), way more travel/articulation, better load capacity and a better ride. It's just another option to look at.

I am looking hard at the OME's. How do they OME's ride empty? I see you load it down pretty good, too. I keep hearing conflicting info on how they do carrying a load. Some say they are 'just the thing' for carrying a load, others say if you are going to carry a load, that Deaver 10's are the only way to go. I think Ursidae (Chuck) had some OME's and wasn't pleased with the load they carried..but maybe he carries more stuff more often? Realistically, I will probably be empty more often than I will be loaded. Though I do plan on building a compartmentalized bed system probably out of plywood, so that would add a little weight.

The Deavers are nearly 2X the price of the OME stuff. I need to be careful where I put my dimes...as I don't have a lot to spare.

Same on the front...are you using OME stuff there too? The 881's, 882's? How does that work for you? From what I have read, the OME seems a closer fit for my needs anyway. Mostly daily driver, with occasional offroad use, and no high speed desert stuff either. And a (sometimes) wet climate...though I hear the 'Hoes have a nice 'all weather' coating you can add, for even more $$$. And....price again a big deal, with 'Hoes or even SAW's being a LOT of money.

So I would love to hear your thoughts...

 

[tacollie]

I have the OME and love them. I have the firm springs and they are great. Even when the truck is empty it does great on washboard and on the intersate. Because of the load springs they do great when loaded to. My ony complaint is that with 255/85 BFG MT's I had to do some triming on the front of the wheel well. I will post some picks later. I think for a DD where the load in your truck varies it is wise to go with OME. But that is my experience. They are a great improvement over stock.

 

[mountainpete]

My ony complaint is that with 255/85 BFG MT's I had to do some triming on the front of the wheel well.

I can't seem to remember - do the OME's reposition the rear axle like the Deavers do? I seem to think that they don't. It makes a big difference.

 

[Wanderlusty]

I can't seem to remember - do the OME's reposition the rear axle like the Deavers do? I seem to think that they don't. It makes a big difference.

Yes, that would be key information for me, as I plan on running the 255's at this point.

I think worst case, there are some companies that sell some blocks that will relocate the pin forward. I seem to remember Scott mentioning such in another thread. I will see if I can dig that info up. That unfortunately would probably lead to a slight loss of lift, for the height of the block....but probably nothing to be concerned about.

As far as trimming to fit the 255's...I don't think anyone has gotten away without having to trim some up front, no matter how much lift.

 

[DaveInDenver]

That unfortunately would probably lead to a slight loss of lift, for the height of the block....but probably nothing to be concerned about.

Leaf sprung Toyota mini trucks and 4Runners are spring over axle, so wouldn't they give you additional lift?

BTW, the URL for these:
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero Rates.htm

 

[Wanderlusty]

Leaf sprung Toyota mini trucks and 4Runners are spring over axle, so wouldn't they give you additional lift?

BTW, the URL for these:
http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero Rates.htm

Hahaha! I guess you just showed how much time I have spent underneath my new Taco.

I need to spend some good garage time with it soon.

Thanks for the link. That says 1 inch vs. 1/2 inch. Would that be too far forward? Just looking at the truck (without measuring) it doesn't look like it would be. Sorry....letting my inexperience shine bright today!

 

[Wanderlusty]

Here is the previously mentioned post by Scott.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13923&postcount=76

Option #2 on his list seems like not a bad way to handle the issue if you have the tools. (I don't)

 

[blur13]

Thanks for all the info! It looks like I'll definitely need a new pack with higher load capacities. The OME setup sounds interesting, but it would be nice to save a few bucks and just have deaver slap 2 or 3 more leaves on my 7-leaf pack. Plus, I only live about an hour from them so I don't have to deal with shipping or anything.

I'm not terribly worried about the unloaded ride quality, but does anyone know if I'm going to lose any articulation when the bed is empty?


Also, here's a gratuitous pic of my taco.:jumping:

 

[erin]

From what they told me, articulation shouldn't be affected at all, just a slightly stiffer ride. I would think that the stiffer pack would art. a little slower, which would be fine with me, as it buries in the wheel well so easily now that I don't always know how much I am pushing it.
Didn't notice, but nice bumper. What did you do for a top deck? Anything. Did you purchase thier new skid plates?