leaf springs reset factory or aftermarket

Poly air bags

I have a similar configeration in a Hilux. I originally had my springs reset and another leaf added which worked well but found the ride a bit harsh when driving unladen.
I changed over to Ultimate Suspensions rear leaves at Minto (Sydney) and found them to be more comfortable.

I only this week did the rounds looking at options for my Hilux cab chassis rears.
I am not too keen on after market leaf suspension. They all seam pretty rigid & no consideration is taken for my particular uses.
What I have is an custom aluminium tray with a 120 l water tank & second battery mounted. So it is pretty light if the water tank is empty.
I want to put a large lockable box/canopy on the back that will carry all our gear including push-bikes & maybe once in a blue moon a dinghy. But when I get home from camping or touring I am going to be taking that off. We are also in the market for caravan up to 2000 kg. That's a fairly wide variety of loads.
So after market leaf springs are going to be around $700 + fitting for Kings Springs with very limited options for ride height & no allowances taken for changing loads.
Air bags are around $1000 for Firestone fitted.
The local spring maker can set the springs up so that when the box is on & loaded it will ride on the mains & the helpers & when the box is off it will ride on the mains only. This can be set up to any desirable height.
I know he will get it right as he has done springs for me before & has many other satisfied customers in Cairns. He has been making & setting springs for near on 50 years.
This is going to cost me $374 drive away with new bushes.
I would trust his spring work & recommendations a lot more than generic built springs & the word of a salesman that was working at BCF or KFC last week that know nothing except what the brochure says.
I am not so fussed on air bags either. That is changing the whole design of the suspension.
I recommend you go & talk to a good spring maker or you might find yourself driving around with a couple of sandbags or bails of hay in the back.

many years ago i had leaf springs reset and leaf added but they sagged horribly, more on one side but they both did it. i will never do that again, buy a new aftermarket spring as you will be much happier with it.

Hi Mate,

I had to fit new suspension in my Hilux about 6 month ago, I went for the aftermarket springs and RAW shocks, also had some firestone airbags fitted. Honestly they are a treat, I carry a heavy lift off toolbox with all my building tools in it, pump them up for heavier loads, let them down when empty. All you need is a 12v compressor. Just make sure you don't go overboard with loading up your truck, its easy done with the bellows in the back.

good luck

Jens

I have a Ford Courier single cab ute used empty 50% on farm and dirt roads, 25% overloaded with whatever is needed to be carried and 25% touring/camping. I have had the Equaliser from CVSS (SAX Suspension) fitted to my rear leaf set up. Basically it is a helper spring and the change in the vehicle has been very successful. Empty on the soft setting the ride is no harsher, on the hard setting loaded the back sits nicely, no squatting and wallowing. I fitted them myself in 30 min. I currently run Rancho 9000s on the rear but these are due to be replaced.
I have no negative comments at all.