custom springs questions

Air bags alone has some additional disadvantages if there is failure on a trip. And regardless of failure they are often going to limit your suspension travel (which is OK on pavement). I vote for spring upgrade. Also you may wish to upgrade brakes if you have an older truck. Some of those tacos had drum brakes!

Shout out to Boise Spring Works. They put on a nice leaf pack on my Colorado and it rides real nice. No air bags needed as I did on my Tacoma. 

After using Firestone airbags for the past 16 years without issue, and now somewhat recently having my local 4x4 shop add a couple of springs to reduce my reliance on airbags, I think I am finally ready to cut the airbag cord and have a proper spring pack built as I almost never remove my camper. If your camper will be in full time, a custom spring pack would be the way to go IMO. 

Hello, can I piggyback on this thread with another question?

 

I have a Tacoma with stock suspension that's getting an AT Overland Atlas installed in a few months. I chose this camper partially because of its low weight at 390 lbs dry. But with the additional weight of gear I will likely have to upgrade to some heavier leaf springs. The guy doing the install recommends an add a leaf kit, but I'm thinking I might just get a new set of springs, maybe Deaver stage 2 (400 - 600 lbs) or stage 3's (700 - 1,000 lbs)

 

Question is, should I get the leaf springs installed now before I have the camper installed or wait until after? I'm concerned that if I have them installed first I might misjudge the weight and get springs that are too stiff. But if I install them afterwards the rear end might be sagging on the drive home, or lead to some other dangerous situation I'm not aware of. Should I wait and get the vehicle weighed before and after the install, find the difference and upgrade the springs later based on the added weight? 

 

If anyone has experience with this I would very much appreciate their advice. 

I don't recommend add-a-leaf kits, which can add stress risers in spots the original springs weren't designed for. I think the Deaver Stage 2 plus heavier shocks will be your correct choice. If you add them beforehand you'll have a really bouncy ride until the camper is on; if you wait you'll be sagging significantly but probably not dangerously. You won't want to drive at night as your headlamps will be aimed way too high.

That was my gut feeling on the add-a-leaf kit. I'd rather just replace the whole leaf pack for peace of mind. The current shocks are stock Bilstein 4600's.

 

As for the springs, I guess I will wait and put them on afterwards. I'd rather not have to guess at the loaded weight of the vehicle and I have cabinets and other stuff that I can't find manufacturer weight specs on.