techhead

Who has the best prices on 4-5 lifts for a 83 4x4 yota?

Thanks

kyle_22r

let me ask first...what size tires do you want to run?

techhead

35-36's

kyle_22r

yeah, 4" of lift is what you should need. if you want to just do something out of the box(e.g. the cheap way) i think skyjacker springs are one of the better mass-marketed ones. i know a guy who's running some 36" buckshots and is running 4" rough country springs and says they start out very stiff but break in and work pretty well.

now, if you want to do it the "good" way, either build your own spring packs, install an IFS steering box and run crossover steering and long travel shocks...

futurerunner

Another good Toyota falls to the lift knife....

Sniff Sniff.....

Flamedx4

The best prices I've seen recently for a 4" lift with shocks is around $550. It will have rear block though (ugh.) A 4 spring set with shocks should start at around $700 and more if you go with (arguably) better stuff.

techhead

I'm getting some add a leafs by ruff country that gives 2 inches and some 2 inch shackes which should give a total of 4 inches.

Flamedx4

...and will ride like a tank.

techhead

Don't all straight axle trucks ride like "tanks"?

kyle_22r

not if you get quality springs. it's just a common misconception perpetuated by IFS nazis

then again, most people see the straight axle as desirable because it can be cheaply lifted with stiff, low quality springs and that's where part of the reputation comes from.

techhead

Do you consider Alcan "quality" springs? I just finished a 85 with a 7 inch lift by Alcan and it sill rides like a tank. Don't you think thats one reason Toyota went to IFS?

techhead

There's no dout add a leafs and shackles are not my first choice but my buddie is on a limited budget so I'm trying to find I guess you could say a 4-5 inch "bang for the buck" lift.

Flamedx4

No one is trying to bad mouth solid axles here. But consider that add-a-leafs must overcome the natural spring bend before they even provide lift, and you can see whey could never give any semblence of decent ride.

With the technology of the day, yes they went to IFS to get a better ride. But I can tell you that a good set of leaf springs matched to the weight of vehicle with the right shocks can far outperform the ride of the stock IFS. My '85 rode much smoother (and yet more controlled too) on the road than the IFS, and MUCH better off road because it had more than 1.5" of travel before it hit the bump stops.

Tell your friend to save his money, by the time he get AALs and shocks (and probably new Ubolts too) he will only be a few dollars short of a 4 spring lift. Save up for it - it's worth it. Besides, if he can afford wheels and tires....

Bang for the buck would be longer u-bolts and chuck some pieces of 4x4 in there...

Flamedx4

Actually, best bang for the buck is a 3" body lift. On a short bed you don't have to worry about high centering, so you get the same trail clearance either way - it's all in the tires.