Tacoma and Hellwig 1906

[knoxswift]

After many years of saving, I finally have purchases a FWC.
Mostly a lurker and reading this forum in the background. I will post my first question.

Searching I only found one brief mention of Hellwig 1906 spring pack for the Toyota tacoma.
Here's a link for good measure:
http://www.hellwigproducts.com/new-products/4231/attachment/tacoma-1906/

Has anyone had these, successfully used for any extend time? How did the install go and even though Hellwig says reduce the pack to 2 leafs then add, since I have the TSB springs has anyone tried leaving 3 leaves and installing the Hellwig pack? How's the ride with and without a camper in the bed?

I don't have enough $$$ since buying a FWC to do a full upgrade of suspension at this time. Right now I have a 2010 Tacoma with TSB Springs and SuperSprings. Front is just the 5100 leveling kit ~2". I've taken it plenty of times off road hauling firewood, never a big issue but now with a camper I'd like to make sure the tacoma stays capable. I also don't want to sink too much into the trucks suspension right now as I already have 100K miles and might be considering a new tacoma in a couple of years...

Thanks!

 

[knoxswift]

Well 300+ views and no replies. I went for this cheap option instead of air bags and all the rest. With camper in the bed no sag, levels out with my 3" lift. With camper out, very hard ride. Though progressive springs it does add some stiffness. With the camper rides very well over various terrain. I need to figure out how to post pictures and I will.

 

[brianjwilson]

Unfortunately hardy anyone has these aside from you. Hence no comments. Id love to see some pics and measured ride height with camper though. Most of us have come up with other solutions. I'm using OME Dakar springs with their extra leaf, upper overload removed, and using timbren rubber springs to supplement (taller and softer than normal). Overall it works well but I'm always looking for other options and wondering what else works well.

 

[bimmeryota]

Congrats on the camper! I've got an eagle that I had in my 91 xtracab and now in my T100.
After doing airbags on both thinking they were the best solution. I would work towards having custom leaf packs made for the truck and the weight you carry. I had deaver build springs for my t100 and I couldn't be happier. On and off road are great.
If cost is an issue I think you're on the right path by doing helper springs.

 

[knoxswift]

Still on my phone only and unable to post pictures. I hope to have real computer access this weekend and will post pictures of the setup. I am still surprised that this setup hasn't been tried before but I am glad to give it a go and report back. Yes at this time cost was the issue and why I went helpers and these fairly custom packs by helwig. They made them specifically for tacoma with the FWC.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm very happy with the FWC!

To answer one question I believe I have 3 inches of lift with the 1906 + TSB. Springs. Talking with helwig they said for the most stock ride i should reduce to the first 2 springs. I however haul alot besides the camper and kept the 3 springs only replacing the overload with the 1906 pack. (Hence my comment stiff unloaded) Front I have ICON set to 2.75 inches so unloaded there is a front rake. When the camper is loaded the truck is level.
I can confirm with the camper in the bed the 1906 rear setup is impressive. I was able to take desert flats at a fair speed without bottoming. Only came to the hydraulic bump stops once and that was on a road with severe dips where I admit I should have slowed down but I'm still in testing mode to see what I can get away with. Loaded the ride is great. Low sway, not bottoming looks good, nice hight and travel. I can easily clear basic rocky Mountain roads, though no heavy rock crawling as I don't trust myself doing that with the camper yet.
I will try again to post pictures this weekend.

Thanks

 

[knoxswift]

OK, here are pictures of the 1906 setup rear Icons Front for those interested in this review of the Helwig Helper Springs.