So I have a stock height 83' with old springs and they are very flat, almost with slight negative arc it seems. Anyway the truck rides pretty rough and seems stiff in the front, doesnt want to flex easily etc... I want to get some OEM springs but I dont know where to get them and I sure as hell dont want to go to toyota and pay 5 times what anyone else would charge. Anyone know an easy place to get new springs for an 83? And how much roughly? I want the equivilent to factory springs, not a brand where ill need matching shocks. Also does anyone know how my truck should ride with new springs? Do these trucks naturally ride rough with little recoil?

 

JCwhitney has some decent stock replacement type springs

 

Those sagged out springs could be letting you bottom out on your bumpstops.
These leaf sprung trucks do ride rough though. It'll never ride like the newer trucks even with new springs.

 

I checked and theres only like an inch or 2 between the bumpstops so Im pretty sure the springs are shot. Anyone have a photo handy of what newer springs look like? Also I cant find any stock front springs anywhere for these things? This doesnt make much sense as I cant be the only guy out there who needs front springs for a solid axle toyota. Checked JCwhitney but they only had rears.

 

I couldn't find any "stock" replacements either, so I ended up going with these. About a 2.5" lift, but that's ok with me.

 

did you have to replace your rear springs too and did you have to relocate the mounts

 

I'm replacing front and rear springs. Don't know if I'll need to relocate any mounts though. I'll find out this coming weekend.

 

let me know what else you replaced like brake lines and shocks what hidden parts you needed to find
thanks

 

No mounts need to be relocated. The front brake hoses will need to be longer or relocated to allow for the lift especially if going off roading. Longer shocks will benefit your ride with your lifted springs. 3 inches and less don't really require any other modifications.
Your steering wheel may be off center a little after the lift. Just get used to it.
No need to align it after the lift. It's a straight axle.

 

I found several places that sell the skyjacker kits complete for less the $700.00. It was a hard decission, but I ended up going with ARB OME EMU suspension 2" lift, 4x4 connection got it to me for 1k including shipping. I did not get the greasable shackles and pins, those will come later. They were also able to ship within 24 hours which was a big plus for me. I have the truck torn apart going over the rear end and knuckle rebuild. So I did not want to wait 4 weeks for delivery, that is the time frame that most quoted me. The only stock springs I could find was from the dealer.

 

Yeah...so I had time after work today to get the front passenger side done with the Skyjacker 3" spring and the new shock. I think I'm definitely gonna need longer brake hoses (probably about 3") plus some longer sway bar links. I think I'm gonna like this lift...now I definitely need some bigger tires. These worn out 31s look TINY now.

 

anyone have any suggestions for sources for the brake hoses and extended swaybar links??

 

Trail gear sells extended lines.

 

Cool....cheapest I've seen so far...THX!

 

My OME lift should be in monday or tuesday, I did not even think about extended brake lines. I was just going to bend and fare a line that is two inches longer for each side and the rear. Will this work for about a month in order to save some more money. I doubt that I will be off road in that time. Or is a longer steel line going to bind on something?

 

I took the sway bar and torque rod off and cut off all the mounting brakets for both on my 81 it didn't make a difference in body roll IMO plus I got more flex. just my two cents. And if you have a welder and a way to cut your front brake line bracets. Turn them striaght and weld to the side of the frame instead of on top at least that's what I did. I just installed downey 3" leafs and now I'm working on the ford shock towers and longer shocks.

 

I took the sway bar and torque rod off and cut off all the mounting brakets for both on my 81 it didn't make a difference in body roll IMO plus I got more flex. just my two cents. And if you have a welder and a way to cut your front brake line bracets. Turn them striaght and weld to the side of the frame instead of on top at least that's what I did. I just installed downey 3" leafs and now I'm working on the ford shock towers and longer shocks.

 

I took the sway bar and torque rod off and cut off all the mounting brakets for both on my 81 it didn't make a difference in body roll IMO plus I got more flex. just my two cents. And if you have a welder and a way to cut your front brake line bracets. Turn them striaght and weld to the side of the frame instead of on top at least that's what I did. I just installed downey 3" leafs and now I'm working on the ford shock towers and longer shocks.

 

try www.ntwonline.com they are in wheeling wv. they have a 3 piece set for like 70.00 bucks braided steel sweet set I've got it on my 83 with 6"lift

 

81yotalove do you have pictures of your brake line bracet mod?