Hellwig 550 EZ-550 Light Duty Helper Spring Kit Toyota Tacoma Ranger Colorado S1

Vehicle Fitment

• Toyota: 1995-2013 Toyota Tacoma - leaf spring rear suspension only (see Fitment Notes for 2005+ Tacoma coil spring exception)
• Nissan: 1998-2004 Nissan Frontier; 2005-2015 Nissan Xterra
• Ford: 1973-1982 Ford Courier; 1983-2011 Ford Ranger; 1984-1989 Ford Bronco II; 1991-2001 Ford Explorer
• Mercury: 1997-2001 Mercury Mountaineer
• Chevrolet/GMC (mini trucks/mid-size): 1972-1974 Chevrolet Luv Pickup; 1975-1982 Chevrolet LUV; 1982-2003 Chevrolet S10; 1983-1990 Chevrolet S10 Blazer; 1986-2005 Chevrolet Astro; 1983-1991 GMC S15 Jimmy; 1982-2003 GMC Jimmy; 1991-2003 GMC Sonoma; 1986-2005 GMC Safari; 1996-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
• Chevrolet/GMC (mid-size 2nd gen): 2004-2011 Chevrolet Colorado; 2004-2011 GMC Canyon
• Mazda: 1979-1984 Mazda B2000; 1987-1993 Mazda B2200; 1992-1994 Mazda Navajo; 2003-2007 Mazda B2300; 1994-2007 Mazda B4000
• Dodge/Plymouth: 1984-2006 Dodge Caravan; 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager; 1997-2010 Dodge Dakota; 1998-2003 Dodge Durango

Fitment Notes

• Toyota Tacoma 2005 and up - IMPORTANT: If your 2005 or newer Toyota Tacoma is equipped with a coil spring rear suspension (rather than leaf springs), use Hellwig part #980 instead. The 550 is only compatible with the leaf spring rear suspension configuration. Tacomas with the 2005+ redesign can have either leaf or coil rear springs depending on cab style, trim, and options. Verify your Tacoma's rear suspension type before ordering.
• The 1995-2013 Toyota Tacoma fitment covers the 1st generation (1995-2004) and 2nd generation (2005-2013) platforms - for 2nd gen, confirm leaf spring rear suspension as described above.
• Not compatible with composite (plastic) or fiberglass leaf springs. The 550 mounts to conventional steel multi-leaf or single-leaf rear spring packs only.
• The 550 installs above the factory leaf springs behind the rear axle U-bolts. It can also be mounted in front of the axle U-bolts to help reduce leaf spring wrap-up under acceleration - confirm desired mounting location before installation.
• The kit is sold complete with all mounting hardware - no separate mounting kit purchase is required. One kit (part #550) serves both sides of the vehicle.
• The Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari minivans are included in the confirmed fitment list for applicable rear leaf spring configurations.
• Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager fitment applies to the rear leaf spring configurations used on those vans during the applicable model years.

Features

• Up to 500 lb. level load carrying capacity - Hellwig's lightest-duty helper spring, engineered specifically for compact trucks, mid-size pickups, small SUVs, and minivans that need a modest amount of supplemental rear load support for light towing, canopies, camper shells, cargo boxes, or recreational gear.
• Above-axle, over-spring mounting design installs directly on top of the factory rear leaf spring pack behind the axle U-bolts - no disassembly of the factory spring pack, no drilling, and no special tools required.
• Fully adjustable load rate using the included heavy-duty U-bolts - independent side-to-side adjustment with common hand tools allows the load rate to be tuned for the specific use case and readjusted at any time as towing or hauling requirements change.
• Single-leaf per side design hot-formed and heat-treated from ASTM 5160 alloy spring steel - durable, fatigue-resistant, and engineered for long-term performance in compact truck and light-duty SUV applications.
• Progressive spring rate - the 550 has virtually no effect on ride quality when the vehicle is unloaded and only engages as rear weight increases, so the compact truck or SUV retains its normal ride character during empty daily driving.
• Reduces rear-end sag, squat, and body roll under light loads - particularly noticeable when adding a camper shell, cargo carrier, or small pop-up trailer to a compact or mid-size truck.
• Reduces leaf spring wrap-up during acceleration, which can help minimize axle hop and improve traction on smaller trucks with limited rear suspension travel.
• Complete kit - includes both spring leaves, U-bolts, crossbars, all nuts and washers, and installation instructions. No separate mounting hardware kit required.
• Compact package dimensions: approximately 18.5" long x 2.5" wide, making for an easy at-home installation with basic tools.
• Cost-effective entry-level load management solution for drivers who don't need the heavier capacity of the EZ-990 or LP-series but want noticeably improved rear-end stability and level load carrying.
• Manufactured at Hellwig's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facility in Visalia, California - made in the USA since 1946, backed by Hellwig's Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects.

Specifications

• Level Load Capacity: Up to 500 lbs.
• Spring Series: EZ-550
• Construction: Single-leaf per side, above-axle over-spring design
• Spring Material: ASTM 5160 heat-treated alloy spring steel
• Spring Dimensions: Approximately 18.5" long x 2.5" wide
• Mounting Position: Above factory leaf spring, behind rear axle U-bolts (front mounting for anti-wrap use also supported)
• Mounting Hardware Included: Yes - complete kit, no separate mounting hardware kit required
• Compatible Leaf Spring Types: Steel multi-leaf and single-leaf - NOT compatible with composite (plastic/fiberglass) springs
• Drilling Required: No
• Country of Manufacture: USA (Visalia, CA - ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 certified)
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Quantity: Sold as a complete kit (2 spring leaves + all hardware for both sides of the vehicle)

Included Components

• 2x EZ-550 ASTM 5160 alloy spring steel leaves (1 per side), powder coated
• 2x Heavy-duty U-bolt assemblies with crossbars, nuts, and washers (for rear mounting position near axle)
• 2x Heavy-duty U-bolt assemblies with crossbars, nuts, and washers (for front mounting position near spring hanger)
• All associated nuts, washers, and fasteners
• Installation instructions

Product Description

The Hellwig 550 EZ-550 Helper Spring Kit is Hellwig's entry-level load management solution, rated to 500 lbs. of supplemental rear load capacity and designed for the compact trucks, mid-size pickups, small SUVs, and minivans that need light load assistance without the bulk or cost of a heavier LP-series product. The EZ-550 is the right choice for Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S10 and Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Xterra, Dodge Dakota, and a wide range of other compact and mid-size platforms where adding a camper shell, cargo box, rooftop tent, kayak rack, or light trailer is causing unwanted rear-end sag, instability, or squat.

The EZ-550 mounts directly above the factory leaf spring pack behind the rear axle U-bolts using an over-spring, above-axle design that requires no disassembly of the factory suspension, no drilling, and no specialty tools. The kit ships complete with both spring leaves and all mounting hardware - unlike Hellwig's LP-25 and LP-35 series, no separate mounting kit purchase is required. The included U-bolts allow independent side-to-side adjustment for tuning the load rate to a specific use case or correcting uneven side loads. The progressive spring rate ensures the EZ-550 remains transparent during empty driving and engages gradually as load is applied, so the vehicle's ride quality is not compromised when running unloaded.

Two critical fitment notes: First, the 550 does not fit composite (plastic or fiberglass) leaf springs - steel leaf springs only. Second, on the 2005 and newer Toyota Tacoma, the rear suspension can be either leaf spring or coil spring depending on cab and trim configuration. If the Tacoma has a coil rear suspension, use Hellwig part #980 instead of the 550. Confirm rear suspension type before ordering for any 2005-2013 Tacoma. Manufactured at Hellwig's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facility in Visalia, California and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.