How to manage added rear weight on a stock suspension?

[CjMelendrez]

All,

I have a '17 TRD OR DC LB with a stock suspension. I have a decked drawer system, and just installed a ARE shell. With that added weight, a full tank of gas, basic recovery gear and other stuff that never leaves my truck, it sits about level right now. I will be doing a lot of camping this summer and hunting in the fall. With that, I am expecting some sag.

My question... What is the least expensive, safest, way to help the back end out? A caveat... I'm not ready for a full suspension upgrade yet, so yes I know this will be a band-aid until a more permanent fix can be installed.

thanks for the help! Any pictures of what you have done would help as well!

 

[CjMelendrez]

Air bags are expensive and seem like a pain. I was thinking a Hellwig helper spring (model #980), or a single AAL (i like the build of the HS 3 leaf AAL but they recommend changing the rear shocks as well).

Open to other ideas or opinions on the options stated above!

thanks

 

[Tyler]

To answer you question literally, adding blocks is the cheapest and still safe way of doing it. You’ll need longer u-bolts to go with it.

The downside is the rougher ride you’ll get and the potential to overextend your stock shocks if you ever go full flex while off-road.

The next best option would be AAL. For the same reason though, keeping the stock shocks may not be best. But if you know you’ll only be on road and light off road you should be fine like that.

 

[CjMelendrez]

^^ thanks for the help!! i think the AAL is the way to go since it'll add height and help with weight.

any brand you would go with?

 

[Tyler]

^^ thanks for the help!! i think the AAL is the way to go since it'll add height and help with weight.

any brand you would go with?

I’d order from HeadStrong for sure.

 

[CjMelendrez]

^ Already talking to Marie! heard she is the best.

 

[Tyler]

^ Already talking to Marie! heard she is the best.

She is. Still gotta contact her about the site actually.

 

[Ktmslado]

I know I’m late to this party but air lift air bags would be a cheap solution that won’t hurt ride quality when not loaded down. I’ve had them in my Silverado. I’d put 2 bikes in the bed and tow a trailer with a Rzr. I wasn’t beat for buying a compressor at that time so I put a shrader valve in the wheel wells(all comes with the kit). When I would get ready to tow or bring the bikes around I’d put 60lbs of air in the bags and be back to factory rake. Once I was finished I’d empty them out and be back at regular ride height. They are 100% bolt on. Around 250$. Can easily be installed in a driveway and can be completely reversed back to stock. It keeps the same unloaded ride quality as stock and when loaded it will support big dips in the road and never bottom out.
An aal will 100% make ur unloaded ride a lot harder.

If you have the money then you could go all out and get their wireless system that u could press a button inside the cab while driving and pump them up or down. But be careful where you put ur compressor as a salty winter will have you buying a new one every year.

 

[Tyler]

I know I’m late to this party but air lift air bags would be a cheap solution that won’t hurt ride quality when not loaded down. I’ve had them in my Silverado. I’d put 2 bikes in the bed and tow a trailer with a Rzr. I wasn’t beat for buying a compressor at that time so I put a shrader valve in the wheel wells(all comes with the kit). When I would get ready to tow or bring the bikes around I’d put 60lbs of air in the bags and be back to factory rake. Once I was finished I’d empty them out and be back at regular ride height. They are 100% bolt on. Around 250$. Can easily be installed in a driveway and can be completely reversed back to stock. It keeps the same unloaded ride quality as stock and when loaded it will support big dips in the road and never bottom out.
An aal will 100% make ur unloaded ride a lot harder.

If you have the money then you could go all out and get their wireless system that u could press a button inside the cab while driving and pump them up or down. But be careful where you put ur compressor as a salty winter will have you buying a new one every year.

Hodakaguy knows a thing or two about rear bags.

 

[Hodakaguy]

Air bags work great, I'm running Bags along with Medium Dakar Springs.

Info and pics in my build thread here: https://tacoma3g.com/threads/hodakaguys-overland-tacoma-builds-on-to-new-adventures.168/

Hodakaguy

 

[Tyler]

Air bags work great, I'm running Bags along with Medium Dakar Springs.

Info and pics in my build thread here: https://tacoma3g.com/threads/hodakaguys-overland-tacoma-builds-on-to-new-adventures.168/

Hodakaguy

Did you go with medium for comfort? I have the HD ones but they are still real smooth over speed bumps and such.

 

[Hodakaguy]

Did you go with medium for comfort? I have the HD ones but they are still real smooth over speed bumps and such.

I wanted the truck to ride nice when unloaded with the camper removed so I went with the medium rear springs, then added the air bags and cradles to deal with the camper weight. With the camper installed the heavy springs would be a better overall fit, but I was worried it would ride like a brick with the camper removed.

Hodakaguy

 

[0uTkAsT]

If you haven't already bought full leaf packs or add a leafs, look into sumo springs. I know of quite a few people running those with the OEM leaf packs in lieu of air bags and they seem to get them by pretty well when there's too much weight in the back for the crappy stock leaf packs to handle on their own.

Might be a simple and cost-effective fix to your problem if you want to stay on stock suspension. Otherwise, full replacement leaf packs are absolutely the way to go and I would recommend either the OME Dakars or the Icon RXTs.