Toytec Progressive 3 Leaf Add-A-Leaf Pack - Icon Tundra Rear Expansion Pack

Looking for objective opinions on the two 1.5" packs and how they perform with and compare in ride to new/near new factory leafs on an unloaded or slightly loaded truck(approx 500 lbs).

I've read folks are a getting varied number on lift but close to 1.5"which would make sense depending on Crewmax vs Double cab, static load, and wear on factory leafs.

Considering one of the packs vs shackles for the upcoming Elka 1.5 -1.75 suspension upgrade.
If the packs could possibly improve on the factory it seems like a good option as the price difference is minimal.

 

The advantage to shackles is the bushing. The factory bushing is splined so it limits movement.

 

So,if somebody uses shackles ,plus something like an Icon leaf pack…would their lift be even more than just the pack alone?

 

That I am not sure on. Someone will chime in. I was actually wondering the same thing the other day.

 

Yes, if you use lifted leafs or add a leaf and a lifted shackle, lift will be higher than just leaf or shackle alone. Just like using a lift block and add a leaf- combined they are higher than either alone.

add a leaf will ride firmer, that is what they are for- help stop sagging with load/tow and add some lift.

If you are concerned about ride and since your truck is new, you may want to look at RAS. More info here https://activesuspension.com/ Smooth ride unloaded, stops sag with load and towing. Several here run it and I will be running it when I get around to installing my lifted coilovers. Oh, RAS will lift the rear about an inch or so over stock ride height and all but eliminate sag from loads. If you search here, there are some thread with pics.

This is older, the RAS has design has been improved since then but gives you some detail about how it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUmGX0mxUJU

 

I run Elka front and rear, Icon add a leaf, +1 Coachbuilder shackles, Firestone Airbags and Daystar cradles. I am also running a constant load of approximately 250-300 lbs in the bed (canopy, rack and stuff).

• With Elka's in and front not set at max lift I had a negative rake with stock. The back end was lower than than the front.
• With the Icon Add a Leaf I increased about 1.5" but it settled closer to 1" in the rear. This brought the truck to a 1/4 rear up over level. In practical terms, the truck looked level.
• With the +1 Coachbuilder I maintain what I consider is a healthy rake of about 1" in the rear with my constant load. With a 150 lb RTT and a bit of gear I am generally level.
• The airbags allow me to dial it in when towing or with a heavier load to never be below level.

Would I do the same thing again? Probably not the add-a-leaf. I would have replaced the entire spring pack to better handle the constant load in the bed and dial the ride better. The ride is stiffer with the add-a-leaf unloaded compared to stock. I know that's a personal view, but my experience with custom packs is they feel more like stock at a target constant weight than an add-a-leaf.

Roadmaster suspension as @frichco228 is a good option to look into. It's suddenly much more popular - I think their social media marketers are earning their pay. I didn't go that route primarily because the Roadmaster has a risk of coming off the eyelet at full articulation. It's rare but it can happen. Plus I like convenience and speed of adjusting an airbag.

 

Thanks for the details and your experience with the leaves and bags.
Would like to know if your running the Elka's @ the preset 1.5 or added much preload assuming you have the 0-2" setup.

Being aware it's not realistic to have both higher capacity and factory ride is why I asked. The '03 Ram 5.9 I gave away by today's standards was the tool for that.

I had a conversation with Icon earlier today and was informed the expansion pack should give approximately 1.5" (depending on factory spring condition). These packs were designed to improve ride while increase lift. Compared to the factory pack I was told they would settle or "sag" slightly more than stock springs with a load.
As you mentioned, this would be a decent combination with airbags and Firestone's are on my build list as well.

I agree with a complete spring pack being the best option for a constant load. This was also relayed by Krave who know these rigs well. Should add these guys have been very helpful and informative. Their builds appear very well thought out.

If I ended going with a fulltime canopy, RTT, or similar setup, they advised going with OME Dakars or the Dobinson's leaf setup.
Both should provide approx 2", good ride characteristics, and better load handling (more so with the Dobinson's).
This would involve modified end links and/or swaybar removal.
With this setup I'd probably crank the Elka's close to their max 2".

The Roadmaster are interesting although I'd research this setup more. Can't see jacking up the rear and having a decent ride but who knows. Back in the day I ran Hellwig helpers which were a crude way of doing the same thing and worked well on the '78 shortbox Chev. hauling firewood, dirt bikes, and some fairly respectable off-road use.

Based on the feedback and research I may end up with the +2 CB shackles, Firestones, and set the Elka's around 1.625

 

The shackle lift is a fixed value and would add to the lift an Icon or factory pack provides.

 

I have a camper shell, and occasionally tow utility trailers and equipment.

My rear factory leafs are flat haha. The previous owner had blocks under them,but I REMOVED them 20k miles ago.

For me, Would the icon expansion pack work well? I have a set of new OEM takeoff rear leafs i could put it on.

 

The new OEM takeoffs will flatten too. Look at mine...only 13,000 miles on them. Yes, the block issue has been corrected.

 

Even if I use the Icon pack with the new set? No blocks or anything else?

 

I'm seeing multiple posts about the OEM springs being softer and weaker and that they flatten easily.

 

installing non-oem shackles will make your leaf springs flatten faster.
I have the toytec progressive add a leaf pack (made by deaver) with the factory overload spring still. 1.5" of lift, rides the same, maybe like 5% stiffer?? not a huge difference at all...might ride better if I removed the overload but don't care to.



oem shackles/factory overload
toytec/deaver progressive add a leaf
fox 2.5s
37s
no issues, no sag, no premature leaf spring flattening

 

You need longer shackles if you replace the springs with a custom pack.

 

true, i was referencing stock leafs will sag and flatten earlier with an extended shackle
with deavers or other leafs designed for it, they're ok

 

So

Here’s my proposed setup

OEM Takeoff Leafs
Icon 51200 pack
Stock shackles
No spacers or blocks or anything silly

Is that going to be good?

What do you guys think will be the main difference versus stock? Obviously the lift maybe depending on my weight of the camper shell

What about handling and towing?

My desired goal,without spending overboard, is to fix my current flattened springs ,and stiffen the rear up for the occasional towing of heavy loads.

 

I have the Icon pack along with airbags and daystar cradles. Truck rides much better in pretty much every situation both on and off-road, loaded or unloaded. My only complaint is the occasional squeak from the leafs when they're dirty.

 

Thanks for the feedback.
What height are you running the front coils at?
I've heard shackles cause a slight increase on spring load on the shackle end of the pack. How much of a difference, and how quickly it causes premature wear assuming the load conditions are the same with vs without shackles is the question that is difficult to determine.

 

My front fox 2.5 (extended travel version with JBA UCA) have less than 5-6 threads showing. Out of the box, they were almost 4" lift. Right now its just a little over 3.25" driver, 3" passenger side, no diff drop.

you are right about the shackles on a stock leaf pack, it really depends on use scenario on how fast it will flatten out your springs. i feel like the stock leaf packs already go flat fast enough, i did not want that to happen hence adding the progressive leaf pack to prolong its arch longer with better load capacity and leaving the stock overload. it rides better than my 2010 raptor i used to have

 

Sounds like you're content with the Toytec progressive pack. Would you estimate your load capacity had changed much from factory assuming the load was comparable?
My biggest concern was when towing the boat with a 350lb tongue weight coupled with coolers of ice, gear, etc. The factory setup is adequate and not much worse than the '17 F150 I traded.

Once the Elka 0-2" coils are in and the front is set around 1 5/8" or so airbags would be the next step for reducing squat if required.
My rear end target lift height is 1 1/2" max over the factory 24".
Was leaning toward CB shackles although your setup has me second guessing...
Lot of options for skinning the same cat although everyone's situation and end goal may be different.

 

My experience with the Icon expansion pack has been positive. Improved ride. Roughly 1.5" lift. Slightly less since I've added the camper top.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/icon-51200-install.79342/

 

Will you take some photos of how this setup looks up close? I’m curious to see how it looks with the aal sitting on top of the overload. Thanks man.

 

I want to do AAL expansion pack but can’t decide to go with icon or toytec. I have a decked system with tools in the back of my truck, so roughly 500lbs in my bed at all times. 5100s on top setting in the front and I want some rake back. Icons leaf’s are all long where as toytec has one long, one middle and one short. Also read about icons pack settling to .75-1” of lift. Still undecided.

 

My icon AAL added over twice the height it was supposed to. Icon says its normal and blamed it on my heavy front bumper (which I accounted for using coilovers for a bit over 3" of height). Pass on icon, they don't care if it's right or not. Once mine wears out ill be swapping brands.

 

Most accounts show settling too low. Mine settled as well, landing on around 3.25" high

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Hopefully these work out for you. I 100% recommend them. No squeaks, no sagging after 20k miles. You can see that my stock leafs still have a good arch to them running OEM shackles with these. I am running durobump bumpstops. You will need extended u bolts from toytec too.

 

Thank you.

 

These are the toytech? How much lift did you get? Did you order the 7.5" or 9" bolts? Toytech recommends 9", but the factory ones are 7" so I would think 7.5" should do it with full thread contact. I'd rather not have to cut them down.

Edit: my goal is to restore factory ride height considering age and running a Snugtop cap. My sumo springs currently contact the frame. I also wouldn't mind increasing the rear spring rate as it is soft and I'm going to be towing a travel trailer with a wdh several times a year.

I rode in my buddies 3/4 Chevy the other day and it made me realize just how plush our rear springs are.

 

Toytecs site says the 7.5 is for the add a leaf. I just saw it yesterday.