Springs and shakles question
#1
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Springs and shakles question
So here is a question. Since in 86 they switched to IFS and this has a solid axle I was looking over the frame up front where they would have cut all the IFS off and where they would have welded everything on for the SAS. I am kind of confused because the frame is clean and looks completely factory where all the IFS stuff would have been. Also has the tube through the frame where the shackles are for the front leaf springs looks stock. Is it possible with having a build date of December 1985 but a title date of 86 that it came factory with a solid axle up front?
One more concern I am having is the shackle length. The rears are 7-1/2" center to center and the front is 6-1/4" center to center. I noticed the rear sits a little higher then the front but I can change that easy enough. My question is, are these shackles to long? This is mostly going to be a toy and will see very little street time.
I am also trying to figure out what springs I have under it. Appears to be stock length so I am not really sure. It appears that the front hanger has been spaced down by 2"x3" tube to give it a little more lift. The front is spring over with hi-stear. If possible I would like to get rid of the shackles and blocks for all spring lift. I am planning on only running 35's so I don't really need a whole lot. Although I have toyed around with the idea of putting my 38.5's on it. What are your thoughts?
Can anyone give me any answers to what I am looking at here?
One more concern I am having is the shackle length. The rears are 7-1/2" center to center and the front is 6-1/4" center to center. I noticed the rear sits a little higher then the front but I can change that easy enough. My question is, are these shackles to long? This is mostly going to be a toy and will see very little street time.
I am also trying to figure out what springs I have under it. Appears to be stock length so I am not really sure. It appears that the front hanger has been spaced down by 2"x3" tube to give it a little more lift. The front is spring over with hi-stear. If possible I would like to get rid of the shackles and blocks for all spring lift. I am planning on only running 35's so I don't really need a whole lot. Although I have toyed around with the idea of putting my 38.5's on it. What are your thoughts?
Can anyone give me any answers to what I am looking at here?
#2
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Maybe some early 86's made it through with solid axles. looks like lift in front was achieved with the tubing between front hangers and frame. (crappy welds). Front shackles are to long and or not stout enough. In the rear the lift blocks have to go. The shackles again are to long and of poor design. The shock positioning are about useless in that position.
Check out rear spring options say with Low Range Off Road. I'm sure others will chime in as to what direction to go in. Think leverage, the rear blocks will not like the side loads put to it off road.
Check out rear spring options say with Low Range Off Road. I'm sure others will chime in as to what direction to go in. Think leverage, the rear blocks will not like the side loads put to it off road.
Last edited by Teuf; 09-07-2014 at 10:40 AM.
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Thanks Teuf. I would like to dump the blocks and shackles to lift it correctly. Will also be grinding off any old/crappy welds and welding everything correctly. Looks like a 3 year old did the fab work. Just looking for a place to start. Would like to keep close to 7" of lift if possible to be able to clear my 38.5's if I decide to run them. Shocks will be done at another time once I get the springs and lift taken care of.
Last edited by Carb0n; 09-07-2014 at 10:42 AM.
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Thank you. I have mostly dealt with GM and Jeeps so I am new to the Toyota side of things. Here are a few pictures of how it sits currently. Needs a little rust repair around the rear wheel well but is not to bad of shape. The thing definitely needs some love but will be my winter project.
Sorry for the bad pictures. The sun was glaring and my iPhone doesn't take the best pictures in the sun light.
Sorry for the bad pictures. The sun was glaring and my iPhone doesn't take the best pictures in the sun light.
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#8
Good project, definitely needs to be lower. Redo the front hanger and all the shackles. No affiliation w/ Dave but he has good products:
http://www.davezoffroadperformance.c...-shackles.html
http://www.davezoffroadperformance.c...ng-hanger.html
For springs I'd say go with RUF spring pack for the front (check pirate4x4 for the RUF thread). May have to move steering box forward as RUF puts axle 2" forward. You can clear bigger tires w/ less lift doing this.
Ford 56" F150's for the rear springs, run them flipped around. You will need new spring mounts in the rear, check the F150 thread.
http://www.davezoffroadperformance.c...-shackles.html
http://www.davezoffroadperformance.c...ng-hanger.html
For springs I'd say go with RUF spring pack for the front (check pirate4x4 for the RUF thread). May have to move steering box forward as RUF puts axle 2" forward. You can clear bigger tires w/ less lift doing this.
Ford 56" F150's for the rear springs, run them flipped around. You will need new spring mounts in the rear, check the F150 thread.
#9
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Nice.... looks like a good winter project as you said. Lots of suspension venders out there. I mentioned LROR because of the no tax deal. Yopar had good advice, good luck. Keep us posted
#11
Yes many good vendors with large or small differences in product and sometimes the exact same product. Here's a few more you might find what you need:
http://www.frontrangeoffroadfab.com/nfoscomm/catalog/
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/
http://marlincrawler.com/
http://trail-gear.com/
http://www.frontrangeoffroadfab.com/nfoscomm/catalog/
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/
http://marlincrawler.com/
http://trail-gear.com/
#13
ok this is what I can see.
the front looks like someone cut off the stock hangers and welded a bar between them and the frame. those shackles were just pieces looks like someone found in the scrap bin at work but whatever works I guess. those shackles are wayyyyy to long and the truck would probably flex better with shorter shackles because the springs wont flex out enough to move the shackles. rear blocks id remove them I don't know what kind of springs those are. looks like the guy you got that from was just trying to make an offroad rig that sort of worked and not one that he wanted to show off
if I was you id cut it all off and do it correctly make it look clean and something youd be proud of just my .02 cents
the front looks like someone cut off the stock hangers and welded a bar between them and the frame. those shackles were just pieces looks like someone found in the scrap bin at work but whatever works I guess. those shackles are wayyyyy to long and the truck would probably flex better with shorter shackles because the springs wont flex out enough to move the shackles. rear blocks id remove them I don't know what kind of springs those are. looks like the guy you got that from was just trying to make an offroad rig that sort of worked and not one that he wanted to show off
if I was you id cut it all off and do it correctly make it look clean and something youd be proud of just my .02 cents
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