It's till in the instructions.....I didn't have my stock pack, so I replaced the overload with downey's prerunner AAL and ran without the extra stock spring. It was good for a solid 2-2.5"

 

Wasnt in my instructions... could be part of the problem..... I'll have to dig up my old spring pack and add it in there, see what it does. Is it the smallest spring in the stock pack, and does it go on the bottom of the downey pack?

 

Maybe I should go even farther. The instructions also stated to use the stock overload spring on the truck and 4runner, and the 4runner also gets the small leaf. If you guys don't run the overload spring you can damage the springs because they were designed to use them. You will be ok if you drive a truck and never carry a load, but if you drive a 4runner or carry a load once in awhile you need the overload spring, then the extra leaf helps carry the extra load of the 4runner fiberglass shell. When adding the extra leaf there is a general rule, make an upside down pyramid. Long main leaf on top and you get smaller as you go down. If the stock small leaf is smaler than the smallest Downey leaf than it will go on the bottom, but if it is bigger than the smaller Downey leaf it will go on top of the small Downey leaf. BUT make sure the stock overload spring always goes on the very bottom.

 

I used the overload leaf, and I knew about the pyramid, i just didnt know if there was any clamps I had to screw with to add the extra leaf from the stock pack. I'll figure it out when I get to it.... Thanks for the addition to the instructions :-)

 

You have to remove the center pin. You can leave the spring on the truck, just unbolt from axle and lift up the truck. Then take a couple of C-clamps and clamp the pack higher than the affected leafs. Remove center pin, place new leaf in and replace center pin, you might need a longer center pin. Most Auto stores should carry them or even try specialty 4X4 stores.

 

Yep, done that before, that was the same process i used to put the add-a-leaf in that downey gave me.

 

Downey has had this problem since the early 90's. nothing new here. I put a 3" pack onthe rear of my 87 4runner to match the rancho front. W/ 2" lift up front, I had to put longer shackles out back after 2 months due to sag. They eventually sagged to approximately stock height.

 

Is their any new info on the Downey 3" leaf packs? I am looking into getting a set and found this thread, sooo whats the word? Thanks Bryan

 

I bent another pair about 2 months ago and swapped to chevy 63" springs.... havent looked back. Its been said that if you use the downey spring pack with the overload and bottom leaves out of the stock pack it should work fine, but I dont know, I just used the overload. Hope this helps.

 

Another note on Cory's spring swap... the Chevies without blocks sit the same height as 3" Downeys with 3.5" lift blocks on a 4Runner. His truck now as significantly reduced axlewrap compared to the Downey/block setup. My precision calibrated eyeballs say about 1/3 the pinion movement when pulling away from a stop sign in 1st gear.

AND... he actually wheeled them this weekend and they're in the same shape as they were before the wheeling trip! Amazing!

 

I have a question about my Downey springs. It seems most of you guys have run the 3" on a 4runner.

I have a '86 pickup with Downey 2" springs which I installed in Feb 01. They gave me just under 2" after settling. My truck did not have a stock load leaf because the PO put a rancho add-a-leaf and ditched the load leaf. I took the load leafs off my dad's 4runner and swaped the add-a-leaf to his.

Now my springs have sagged-minimum arch, and with the 1-1/2" longer shackels they bearly give me over 1" of lift. I think after 5 years of 'wheeling the springs probably won't sag anymore, or am I wrong?

I've just recently put on the Rancho/Downey front IFS lift and my rear sets way low compaired to the front. My question is, what should I do to get the rear up?

I got a set of 3" blocks from auto zone and tried them. The blocks gave me a perfect setup, slight rake in the rear. I've also considered re-arching the springs, but from what I read, longer flater springs give you more downward wheel travel, while arched springs have limited travel down. So should I keep the blocks?

I have also pulled out the load leafs since they have limited my upward wheel travel and started giving me a harsh ride. The harsh ride it actually due more to the springs sagging to the point that they ride on the load leafs.

The bottom line is I need to keep this cheap, <$100. I just want to know if the blocks without load leafs will hurt my springs and do more harm than it's worth. I'd also note that I use my truck as a daily driver and only get to take a 'wheeling trip about twice a year anymore.

Sorry for the long winded write up.