59 replies to this topic

[Desertratduo]

Jeff,
We considered replacing our bump stops and were looking at a Canadian product. Since installing the extra leaves from Boise Spring we have had no further problems and so haven't pursued bump stop replacement.
Chris

[rruff]

We installed Boise Springs thanks to Buckland's post.

 

Was it an add a leaf or full pack? Any other details you can provide would be appreciated.

 

I'm thinking I'll add a leaf, plus airbags and daystar cradles when I get the camper built. The springs will carry most of the load and the bags will provide adjustability and fine tuning.

[buckland]

I can say with the camper on the spring pack Boise added (removing the overload leaf) did the trick for me on my diesel Colorado. That said, my Eagle was on my Tacoma for 5 years with an add-a-leaf and Firestone Ride Rites. It also did fine. Just know that if the camper is off the truck there is a difference in ride... stiffer... I found the add-a-leaf stiffer than the new spring pack. you will also gain an inch to an inch and a half either way. We did this because despite our efforts we still run a bit heavy with the dog and beer or if we iso take along 2 canoes and that gear. It all depends on the truck original equipment. You might want to start with just the Firestone bags and if you don't like it move up to the spring pack. We tend to go into some nasty back roads and the extra insurance the spring pack gives is worth it for me (I had this irrational fear of blown air bags 350 miles into the boonies).  

[rruff]

How many leaves did you get to replace the overloads, and what did they cost?

 

I don't want to rely on the bags completely and the camper will be on there all the time. The load will still vary a bit though, which is why I'd like the bags to fine tune ride height and left-right balance.

[Desertratduo]

First, not sure what truck you are using with your camper. That would make a difference in what you finally decide. The room around the spring package on our truck was just too tight to make adjustments. We blew 3 sets of Airlift airbags with our 2016 Chevy Colorado Diesel and decided we had to do something different. After reading Buckland's posts, we talked extensively with Boise Spring and decided to order one of their leaf kits and have it installed locally. The price was very fair, about half of the competitors that we called, and delivery time was very good. They were great to work with. Price for yours would depend on your truck. Our mechanic in Tucson removed one leaf and installed the Boise springs and that did the trick. We were prepared to change out bumpstops for a Canadian product, or replace our stock shocks with Bilstein shocks, but after a 16,000 mile trip across Canada, including some rough roads and terrible potholes, we concluded we didn't need anything else. When the time comes to replace our shocks we will likely go with a better shock, e.g. Bilsteins. Note, we leave our Fleet 4Wheel camper on full time, so ride is not an issue. We stopped in at Boise Spring on our way back to Tucson and all was well tho the springs on one side had shifted slightly. They installed additional clamps to provide more stability at no charge. Good luck!
Chris

[rruff]

It's a 2016 Tundra DC Long. Planning 1-2" of lift. Guessing I'll have ~1,000lb over the stock weight on the axle when loaded. ~600 unloaded. Removing the bed saves about 400 lbs and the shell of the camper will be about 700 lbs.

 

Those leaves sound like a good way to go. Thanks for the info!

[buckland]

When they take out the overload leaf they add 5 leaves. If you have the camper on all the time it is the best way to go. I did add the Bilstein RHA shocks which allow the front to be raised 2". With the camper on (with the leaf pack) it is now level. 

[WrongDirection]

ABQBW writes:

" I had my rear springs replaced to accommodate the camper. The work was done by Boise Spring Works in Boise, ID who was recommended by my dealer, Denny Saunders of FWC of Jackson Hole. I wanted to try to avoid air bags because I spend a good deal of time on very rough 4 wheel drive roads. The spring work consisted of removal of the shortest bottom factory leaf and adding 4 new leaves for a net gain of 3 leaves. The TRD pro suspension works so well because it has a lot more articulation than stock. I didn't want to give that up."

Thanks, this seems like a great alternative to getting the whole leaf pack replaced.  Anybody know of a good shop to get this type of leaf spring work done in the Colorado Front Range area?  I'm planning on upgrading my Frontier Pro4x leaf pack for a popup camper.  

[ntsqd]

Isn't Alcan Spring on the Front Range?

[rando]

Alcan is in Grand Junction on the Western Slope.   I talked with them about having a custom pack made, but so far my OME Dakars have been sufficient.