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Now this is something I wasn't expecting... the 4G just got coil springs and a 5-link in the rear (with sway bar) and the people at Alcan Spring have come up with a conversion kit to change everything over to a leaf pack setup.
It looks like you retain the factory front lower link mount (which is now the mount for the front of the leaf pack), and the rear gets a bolt-on hanger. Then the pack goes under the rear axle (spring under kit). They're running it with what (I believe) is a 2.5 remote reservoir rear shock from Radflo and the OEM bump stop. Since they build custom leaf springs, I'm sure they used their own. Looks pretty heavy duty. From what I can tell, no more upper/lower links, no panhard/track bar, and no sway bar. Same setup as the 2nd/3rd Gen Tacoma had.
I wanted to learn more about this, so I fed all the required info and links to chatgpt - this is what it came back with for the "why"... I read through it and it all seems to be correct. Would love to hear what everyone thinks!
No link yet, I just found this teaser video from Alcan.
Their main site: https://www.alcanspring.com/ - they are based out of Colorado.
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Good question — at first it sounds backwards since Toyota just upgraded the Tacoma to coils. But there are some real reasons why an aftermarket company might offer a coil-to-leaf swap kit for the 2024+ Tacoma.
Why Swap Back to Leaf Springs?
1. Payload & Towing Capacity
- Leaf packs naturally distribute weight over a larger surface area and resist sag under heavy loads.
- For people hauling constant heavy payloads (contractors, overland rigs with campers, flatbeds, or service bodies), a leaf pack can handle that better long-term than coils.
2. Simplicity & Durability
- Leaf springs = fewer moving parts.
- A 5-link has multiple bushings, joints, and arms that wear out. Leafs are old-school but very reliable in harsh, high-mileage, work-truck use.
3. Cost & Serviceability
- Replacing leaf packs is cheaper and easier than replacing multiple arms, bushings, and coils.
- For fleet or work use, leafs can be more cost-effective to maintain.
4. Custom Load Tuning
- Leaf packs can be built to exact needs — light-duty for comfort, heavy-duty for campers, progressive packs for mixed use.
- Coil spring tuning exists too, but leaf packs are often preferred when the truck always has weight on it.
5. Proven in Certain Applications
- Many expedition-style or utility trucks worldwide still run leafs in the rear for load-bearing reasons.
- Someone who views their Tacoma as a workhorse first, adventure truck second, may actually prefer a leaf pack.
- Coils (5-link): comfort, flex, modern ride.
- Leafs: strength, simplicity, heavy hauling.
The aftermarket might target people who are maxing out payloads with slide-in campers, flatbeds, or constant overlanding builds — situations where coils could sag or wear faster.
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