bobpat

I have been thinking of de modding my 85 ext cab to a more stock ride,I have 35s with hi-steer and all spring lift. Can I go back down to stock..eesh suspension and keep hi steer? I thought I read some where that you need 3 inch of lift for hi -steer to work? The po installed 5.77 and lockers and disc brakes ect. but I now more of a driver. I can pickup a 85 dirt cheap was going to just swap axles and springs from it. Any thoughts?(oh yea wondering this mostly due to p/s box relocated for the hi steer and no longer in stock steering location)

osv

the box usually goes forward to accommodate moving the axle forward, which in turn allows for bigger tires, so if you were able to keep the axle in the same place, relative to the box, you'd be in a position to evaluate things better.

stock vs. high lift springs might have differences in length, mounting location, and pin location... the spring mounting plate on the axle could also have different mounting holes, that change how far forward it sits.

you could jack the drivers side of the front axle all the way up into full stuff, and make sure that the two crossbars don't collide with each other, in the case that you did lower the spring height.

i would first look into removing some body lift, if possible.

are you sure that the gears aren't 5.29? do they have lockers?

bobpat

Thanks for the reply the the factory rear spring mounts are still there new mounts fwd of those. as far as the front factory spring mounts not sure , would have to measure eye to eye I guess, if I knew the factory distance. The truck has no body lift. As for the gears the po said 5.77 and I have drove mine and a 4runner with 5.29 both in 4 low and mine is noticeable slower then that one so I would say yea to the 5.77. the rear has a aussie locker the front a Spartan locker. I would like to drop to no more than 33 and put arb lockers in so it would be more road friendly.
with the lockers the height and the new supper boggers not the quietest or smooth ride lol.

osv

you could measure the driveshaft revolutions vs. the tire revolutions to double-check the rear end gearing, just mark 'em and have someone push the truck along on level pavement.

how about measuring pin distance to the front, on the springs? you gotta figure out some way of knowing if the axle is going to move.

how about pulling leaves from the current spring pack, see if it lowers the truck?

bobpat

I have considered pulling a leaf out of pack and seeing how much drop ,but ive read that it might not be a good idea. conflicting reports on different threads.