Working on my new frame for my 83, its a late 80's 2wd frame, rails are the same as the 83. Im at the point where I need to figure out what im going to run up front before I weld up the steering box mount and spring hangers.

Im looking for what is going to ride the softest, very soft. Im not concerned at all about body roll or bottoming out, I want some leafs that are going to blow through their travel over bumps and some shocks and bump stops that can handle that. Im looking at trail-gear 3" springs, any others I should be looking at?

 

how about RUF? or waggy springs? Glad to hear you are still working on your truck.

 

Honestly id try but I dont have the patience to make a set of RUF's, I have enough packs to make a 5 leaf RUF but I dont think its going to work out how I want.

 

Well in that case I will say that I am very happy with the performance of my Trail Springs, I am running 4" in the front and 5" in the rear. They flex great. In hindsight I probably would have gone with the 3"...

 

How do they ride on a bumpy road? what shocks are you running?

 

The ride is a definite improvement over stock. Still not going to compare to IFS as far as comfort. I am running the Bilstien 5125's that come with the Trail-Gear kit.

 

Hmm.. Right now mine is so stiff my max speed on a gravel road is about.. 50km/h, if I hit pot holes I have to bring it right down to first gear and go through them carefully. Ive ridden/driven a few other solid axle rigs and they are no where near as harsh as mine.

 

Have you thought about the 63" chevys and rears up front with 12" bilsteins? That's the route I am thinking about going with my truck and i hear it rides VERY nice.

 

This is what I will be doing this summer and have heard the same about the swap. My buddy put 63's on his 4runner and said it rides a lot smoother than the stock springs did. But if you are looking aftermarket I think the trail gears would work just fine for you.

 

i'll be trying the wag springs in a few weeks. already have some 63's in the rear, but those will wait.

Al

 

Well, I have some 56" S-10 2wd springs but the pack is only 3 thick leaves, the bottom one is more of an overload type spring, They are slightly wider than Toyota springs so im not sure how well I could fit them with my U-bolt flips in the rear, and I already have no tire clearance back there. I have Pre-85 Rears and 85+ rears(4 springs in total), but theres only enough there to make a 5 or 6 leaf pack because one has a broken leaf which means I cant use the same one from the other pack either. The only problem I have with running this setup is pinion angle, but.. I do have a spare housing I could cut/turn.

Pretty sure I want to run Trail Gear 3" springs in the front with a 5" shackle and 1" drop hanger. Not sure on the rears yet, definitely not 63" Chevy's(too long).

 

did you find that frame by the gravel pit near burnt bridge?

 

Just made a purchase of a 84 toy stock with a wood stake side bed $350.00. I pulled the wood off and the frame rails at the rear leaf spring is alot like swiss cheese. After getting that and a rear crossmember replacement i plan to put 4" suspension lift. any suggestions on a bed or flat bed options. I want something different that is universal and ready for anything. any ideas? Thanks