hey everyone, so i have a 1987 toyota pick up right now that is my DD. I have not done much to it for a few reasons. I need it as my DD so my dad will not let me dig into it to much, it is IFS, and its very dependable as is. So my dad tells me a few months ago i should look into trying to get a project truck, well i have saved up some money and have found a 1983 toyota pickup 4wd that if all goes well i should be getting in 2 or so weeks. Most everything is the same as my truck except for the solid axle that this one has. My question is what is a semi-cheap but still capable way to lift this truck? i know that it is lifted with larger leaf springs front and rear and im guessing this would mean larger shocks as well but there has got to be more to worry about such as the drive shaft and things like that. Any information would be greatly appreciated as well as info about personal set ups

 

I am a little confused, are you saying it is already lifted? How high do you want to go? I would stay as low as you can. What type of wheeling do you want to do? You could do a used lift spring, something like a 3" in the front. You can normally find these fairly cheap on the forums from people who are going to 5". For the rear you could go the cheapest way, and use blocks and longer shakles in the rear. I do not recomend using blocks in the front. The key is to find used items inorder to keep you costs down. You also could through on a body lift.
Good luck and post some pics

 

No it is not lifted yet, would i be able to use 3 inch lift springs in the front and 3 inch lift springs in the rear? or could i use shackles front and rear to lift it? would i need to make anything stronger or extend anything to make this work? thank you for your information

 

The best way would be 2 or 3" springs. I know a few people that went with spring front and 1" larger block and 2" longer shakles in the rear. It drove alright. It didi not have very good flex though. A lot depends on you stock springs. My 82 rears are horrible and if I put new stock springs on it would give it like 1.5" of lift. If your springs are worn, you might as well get new lift springs. You could use a combo. 1" Body, 1"shakel, 1" block???
As for lengthing stuff, I believe 3" lift requires longer brake lines, and something else that I can not think of right now.
Post a wanted add for a set of springs and see what people have to offer.
Good deals are out there you just have to find them.

 

Almost any lift you choose will be fairly inexpensive whith these trucks. Personally, I believe in suspension lifts above all else. Thats why I went with a 4" suspension lift, and perhaps later down the road I might get a 1" body lift to fit a larger tire. As lond as you stay under 4"'s you do not have to modify your driveshaft. However, with 4" you do need a drop drag link and longer break lines.
Dont try to go too cheap, spending an extra $100 will save you money in the end. For instance, get stainless steel braided break lines for extra strenght, and replace the spring bushings with some polyurithane ones while your at it.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

 

Oh yeah, you will need shocks as well. But some ranchos wouldn't set you back too far, and most everything you can find used.

Its all fairly easy to install as well.

 

For my 82 I put on a Procomp Explorer lift that I got from 4wheelparts
I got all new leafs, steel braided brake lines, extended draglink, shocks, extended bump stops for 500 bucks but I got it on sale. The ride is a little stiff but it looks cool.

 

thanks for all you help guys! im going to take a look at the 83 today and hopefully buying it! ill take some pictures to show you guys and let you know how it went later. i was thinking about doing a build up thread for it...but it will be a very slow process haha cause im still in high school