94 reg cab 2wd

The rear end is just way too stiff for me. Has anyone took out the overload leaf? I was thinking about doing that and maybe adding a regular arched add-a-leaf spring. Any input or ideas?

 

Well, you don't want to bottom out. Hmm... I know a lot of the 4x4 guys are modifying the spring mounts and running Chevy 63" springs. A longer spring will translate to more flex/easier flex. I assume this would solve your stiff problem. Check out the Chevy spring on Toyotas FAQ over at Pirate to see if you might want to tackle something like this.

Specifically this statement in the FAQ:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...threadid=20665

 

Likely is stiff because the rest of the (softer) leaves have sagged to the point of riding on the (stiff) overload leaf. Remove the overload and that may be too much for the rest of the leaves. You might try something like the Rancho Soft-Ride Add-a-leaf kit, it includes a pair of AALs, one long/thin, one shorter/stiffer and try those.

Was on one trip with a guy who just got a 4WD Toyota pickup. He had found the rear springs were too stiff and too out the overload. He had a very soft, flexy ride. But at the first steep climb on the trail were were on, his rear axle hopped once (axle wrap) and he now has "S" shaped springs, axle riding on the bumpstops and those springs were toast. The overload does help protect the rest of the springs from overloads, both in direct vertical loads, but also in terms of excessive torque to the axle.

 

So...

I took out the overload leafs and put in an add-a-leaf. The add-a-leafs I used were originally in a Ford Ranger (spring over). I put them right in the place of the overloads. The ride is a lot nicer and I got about 4 inches of lift. I definitely have more travel now and will need to get some longer shocks. Anyone considering a lift shackle, should definitely do this instead.

 

Just a little update on this. The ranger add-a-leafs worked great, but it had my truck sitting ass high. If my front end was lifted more around 6 inches, it would have been perfect. So what I did was cut 6 inches off either side of the add-a-leaf, so that it had less arch. Re-installed and I am sitting with about 2 inches of lift over stock, which is perfect for my application. I definitely need longer shocks now, my shocks top out before I get all of the droop travel my truck is capable of.

 

Yes, adding an add-a-leaf can help improve the ride, at least if the ride was stiff due to the old springs sagging onto the overload leaf. Since the AAL can flex more than the super stiff overload leaf, you now have a spring pack that can flex.

 

Exactly,
I tried it out for about a week without the overload or add-a-leaf and I was bouncing off the bump stops all the time. I like to do suspension modifications that actually do something. A shackle, or lift spindle for example, do nothing to improve your suspension.