I just received my add a leaf kit in the mail. Is it a straightforward install or are there any tricky situations I will run into? I will be doing this on a 1989 4wd 4runner. Any help is appreciated.

karl

 

Well my jack stands that I bought for use with my car are not long enough to use on the 4runner. Now that I think about it I shouldn't be surprised but oh well. I think I'm just going to take it in and have it done. I dont feel like messing around underneath that heavy of a truck in my apartment complex parking lot. I can't wait till I own a home with a garage, then I can take my time and do things right.

karl

 

Yeah, its tough- I installed my suspension lift in the parking lot of my apt. complex, and I think I was lucky I didn't get evicted aftwerwards...

 

I had my local garage install my add-a-leafs because I didn't feel it was safe doing it in my garage. He didn't charge me much at all and he put in new bushings while it was apart. Did you get new u-bolts that are longer with the kit? The stock u-bolts won't work.

 

I use some jackstands I got from Harbor Freight, place some 3" tall wood blocks under them for more stability and added hieght and put them under the frame rails. I have to remove my tires and then the axle just barely clears the ground at full droop. Usually just removing the tires will gain you enough working room to get by with shorter jackstands.

 

It is easy. We're talking about the u-bolts and the centering pin here. Take off the wheels and you should be able to get the axle low enough.

22 nuts total. (6 on each wheel, 8 u-bolts, 2 spring centering pin bolts.)
I too did it in the parking lot of an apartment complex. It took abut 4 hours total.

Tips: My add-a-leafs Rancho 2 leaf "soft" leaves broke at the centering pin after about 3 years of wheeling.