TRUCK MAGS: add-a-leaf vs helper springs vs fixing broken airbags?

[eshed]

Never got my 4x4 geek on and now I have a truck and it's got a saggy butt. Looking for advice.

2004 tundra double cab sr5 trd. Looks to have a 1" leveling kit up front and it came into my hands with ride-rite airbags installed with an on-board compressor set up. Worked great for a while. I was inflating airbags one day to muss with different setting and how it affected the handling and heard a leak. Upon closer inspection, the lower bracket on the passenger side airbag was very bent/broken and the bottom of the airbag was essentially pointed forward, making it non-functional. After removing the offending bracket before it broke completely free and fucked my tire, I noticed that the drivers side bracket is cracked as well. I'm looking into getting replacement brackets but wondering if there is a better option. Obviously there is a weak point there and I don't want a repeat. Definitely have done some off-roading with extensive tire articulation, nothing too rambunctious though.

The brackets that were on there only attached to the leaf spring at the back of the bracket, leaving the front end free. I believe this caused the break. All airbag kits I see online now have brackets with front and rear bolts.

I'm in the process of trying to get ahold of Firestone/Ride-Rite to see how much new brackets are. Hopefully ones with a better design.

I have been running it loaded, as I have been dirtbagging it for the past 6 months. All my gear and often me back there.

Should I just throw down to get the airbag system cherry-ed out again or maybe go a different route? I've done some searching and reading and I'm still not totally clear on the pros and cons of the different suspension add ons.

Thanks!

And if anybody knows of a place to live in Crusty Butt this winter, pass that along too!

[adrenalated]

I elected to not put airbags on my 04 Tundra as I thought the design looked prone to breaking when off-roading/articulating the suspension.

I did an add-a-leaf and am very happy with it. Used the progressive kit from Wheeler's Off Road.
http://wheelersoffroad.com/product/a...leaf-kit-3671/

[Breomonkey]

Add a leaf may ride a little rougher and will add a fixed amount of stack, but you'll never have to worry about it or touch it again. In my opinion the air bags are good for people who run empty and heavily loaded(max payload or....) and want to be able to cater to the different conditions.

[adrenalated]

I should add that if you do an add-a-leaf you need a longer shock as well, if you're still on OEM shocks. If you are on OEM shocks in an 04, it's probably time to replace them anyway. Bilstein 5100s are popular and reasonably priced.

[NT]

I've been curious about this myself. From what I've been researching, it sounds like the airbags may be preferable over an add-a-leaf if the bed will flip flop from loaded to unloaded (my situation). Though I'm curious about Supersprings which are meant to be progressive. For articulation concerns with airbags, I've heard using Daystar cradles can mitigate that. Also, longer travel airbags.
Curious about the Wheeler progressive add a leaf- is it similar to the supersprings or will it increase stiffness when unloaded?

[adrenalated]

If your goal is an unchanged ride unloaded, airbags are probably best. Supersprings look like they'd accomplish that concept better than the Wheelers kit too but that's just a guess. My truck is loaded 100% of the time with a topper and bed platform, so I can't speak to how much the Wheelers kit changed the unloaded ride. First gen Tundras ride pretty soft to begin with though, so I'm not sure stiffening it up a little is a bad thing.

[mn_teleswede]

Call Wheelers Off Road or Toytec and ask their opinion. I elected to go with a 1" lift on all 4 corners of my 4Runner after talking with both of them. Lots of spring rates and options out there to match vehicle payload, etc

[Kya]

I have an 06 double cab Tundra with Firestone airbags. I use the truck with a slide in FourWheel Camper, but it's empty most of the year. If I had no camper, I wouldn't use airbags. I take truck wheeling often and so far have not had any issues with the airbags. If the brackets are broken and that is the only concern, it might be worth having a fabricator make some stronger brackets for you.

The one thing I don't like about the set up with our trucks is that the airbag sits on the leaf spring IN FRONT of the axle. I can tell this causes strange handling characteristics when cornering and the bed is loaded. I really want to relocate the airbags directly over the axle for a more consistent feel, but this would require removing the stock bumpstops and $$. Maybe that might help situation also, relocating the bags.

If you decide to ditch the airbags, I'll take the onboard air compressor and setup!

[wolfy]

I have basically the same truck ('97 T-100) with the Firestone airbags at the rear. Full size air hose runs to an air fitting mounted through one of the license plate corners at the back. Never had an issue with leakage. Heard plenty of stories with onboard compressors (and small diameter hose) having problems, especially in cold weather. I'm sure lot's of folks will prove me wrong on that. I looked at the way the bags on my truck are bracketed in and can't think of away they could break. Possibly a different mounting point.

One option you may want to explore is taking your truck to a place that does nothing but spring work- there is one in Reno that I've used for years, they can add a leaf, re-arch (some Japanese steel springs are notorious for sagging) or come up with a combination to meet your specific needs. They're not an "off road" specialty shop by any means, but are totally dialed to a variety of needs from both commercial offroad (mining/logging) and personal vehicle needs. I'm sure a search in your area would turn one up. Good luck with it.

[eshed]

Sounds like getting an add-a-leaf is the way to go. I will have a topper on it and my bed setup in the back most of the time and if I take it out, it will be to use it for hauling stuff that is too tall/messy for the topper. Hence, loaded all the time. The Daystar cradles do look sweet and like they would solve the problem.

I'm still curious if anyone out there can educate me on the difference between helper springs and add-a-leaf.

Kya, I'll be in touch if I end up taking out the compressor kit.

[wolfy]

eshed- I have heard folks use the terms interchangeably, but- for the shops I've dealt with-
add-a-leaf-- adds an aftermarket spring (or more than 1) to your existing factory stack.
helper spring-- bolts with clamps from the bottom of your existing spring stack. You tighten the clamps to get more lift, and a harsher ride. Some kits go on just one side of the axle (?) some go on both sides.

[east or bust]

lift shackles are also an option.

I installed them on my blazer a couple years ago to solve the same issue you're describing. Your leaf springs will continue to sag over time with this method but I haven't noticed a change in height since installing them. I also don't haul any loads though.

Like others have said, add a leaf is probably your best option for longevity but the ride will be stiffer.