Replacing leaf springs and maintaining OEM ride height

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northcountry - 27 Apr 2006 04:34 GMT

I've baffled the online 'experts' by asking if a particular set of
leaf springs will maintain the OEM ride height of my 97 Tacoma 4WD.
I was particularly interested in a set of Pro Comp springs (price is a
factor at only $110 a pop)
They are advertised as having a height of 3.5", but when I questioned
customer service as to whether this was the same as stock, they
couldn't answer.
It's a 4-leaf set, so I'm thinking it can't be much different than
stock, but I don't want a jacked up rear end if I get these things (I'm
currently a leaf short due to hauling too much firewood)

Anyone have some insight as to what to expect/look for in aftermarket
springs?
I don't want to "trick my truck" - just give it some extra carrying
capacity.

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SnoMan - 27 Apr 2006 12:35 GMT

>I've baffled the online 'experts' by asking if a particular set of
>leaf springs will maintain the OEM ride height of my 97 Tacoma 4WD.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>I don't want to "trick my truck" - just give it some extra carrying
>capacity.

When you lok at springs to compare them you must consider the number
of leafs in the and the thickness and width of them as well when
estimating ride quaility comparison. Also, the amount of arch in
spring together with its makeup will determine its ride height. Even
adding on leaf can add a lot of stiffness to them as ride firmess come
from the spring rate and the fricton between the leafs as well.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com

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Mike Romain - 27 Apr 2006 15:16 GMT

??????

When a spring is listed at 3.5 or 4.5 or 2, it is the amount of lift you
can expect 'above' stock.

A 3.5" lift spring will jack the rear end wayyyy up there.

Why not just get another set of stock springs? They are 'usually' the
strongest out there. If you go to a spring shop, they can even change
out one or more of the stock leafs to make it a 'heavy duty' spring set.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

> I've baffled the online 'experts' by asking if a particular set of
> leaf springs will maintain the OEM ride height of my 97 Tacoma 4WD.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> I don't want to "trick my truck" - just give it some extra carrying
> capacity.

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northcountry - 27 Apr 2006 16:35 GMT

My search for "stock springs" leads to the Toyota dealer, where they
got for over $400.00 each!

Another possibility is Wheeler Offroad - they have a pair of 4 spring
leafs that are close to ride height and go for $329 a pair
http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/tacoleafs.htm

Anyone have experience with their stuff?

> ??????
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> > I don't want to "trick my truck" - just give it some extra carrying
> > capacity.

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Mike Romain - 27 Apr 2006 17:31 GMT

When I need springs, I go to the local truck spring shops. The ones
that do dump trucks and Semi tractors. I busted some leafs out of my
1/2 ton Chevy and got a replacement 'stock' set installed for $200.00.

I then needed to replace my busted ones in my CJ7, so I went back to the
same place. They got 'stock' leafs, arched them for a 2.5" lift and
replaced one leaf with a pre arched 'keeper' leaf and installed them all
for under $250.00 a pair. These are in Canadian dollars too.

One would think the off road and 4x4 shops imagine their springs are
gold plated or something like the dealer does for the foolish amounts of
money they want.

The truck spring shops might be able to save you big also if your top
leaf is still intact. They can just replace the lower pack for a lot
less than a full set.

Mike

> My search for "stock springs" leads to the Toyota dealer, where they
> got for over $400.00 each!
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> > > I don't want to "trick my truck" - just give it some extra carrying
> > > capacity.

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SnoMan - 27 Apr 2006 22:58 GMT

>When I need springs, I go to the local truck spring shops. The ones
>that do dump trucks and Semi tractors. I busted some leafs out of my
>1/2 ton Chevy and got a replacement 'stock' set installed for $200.00.

This is a good tip. I get all my spring parts at a local spring shop
and have my leafs cut and arched to my needs. I freind bought a 2500HD
and was diappoint with the rear springs and we had a new extra leaf
cut and arched for each side on the length we wanted and it cost us 70
bucks total for the springs and new center eye bolts and we installed
them ourself with my air tools in less than a hour when truck was less
than a week old.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com

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