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Downey 2" lift springs, Whos got 'em?

Old 06-18-2008, 11:58 AM
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Downey 2" lift springs, Whos got 'em?

My 93 22RE 4x4 is in desperate need of new rear leaf springs. its sagging alot, its riding in the overload leafs.

I plan on lifting the truck so ill start with the rear. I'll be ordering the springs this week and need to know what was all needed for the install.

They bolt up to the stock mounts right? I'm going to get 0-2" lift shocks as well.
Did you need longer U bolts? New center pins?

Please let me know so i can do all at once.
Thanks.

and i did search. alot.
Old 06-18-2008, 12:05 PM
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correct me if im wrong, but im pretty sure you will only need the springs and shocks. You can use the stock mounts, center pins and u-bolts,(assuming the springs you are buying have the same number of leafs as your stock set) the springs just have more arc, giving it the lift.
Old 06-18-2008, 12:09 PM
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It is not recommended to re-use the u-bolts especially if the truck is actually going to go off-road.
Old 06-18-2008, 12:09 PM
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IN the Downey add it says they have one more leaf, so i didn't know how much taller they'd be.
Old 06-18-2008, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by abecedarian
It is not recommended to re-use the u-bolts especially if the truck is actually going to go off-road.
So just get new OE ones? or get new longer ones? Wheres a good place to get longer U bolts anyways?
Old 06-18-2008, 01:03 PM
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How do you know its "riding on your overload leaf" can I get a picture? My rear end is really stiff and I think it might be doing that..
Old 06-18-2008, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Trustyrusty
How do you know its "riding on your overload leaf" can I get a picture? My rear end is really stiff and I think it might be doing that..
The overload leaf is the bottom leaf, the thickest in the pack, closest to the axle on 4wd, or farthest from the axle on 2wd (since the 2wd axle is above the springs). If you're riding on it due to spring fatigue, the leaf above it will be in full contact with the overload. Otherwise, unloaded, the leaf above the overload leaf should have little contact with the overload leaf outside of the u-bolts.

Last edited by abecedarian; 06-18-2008 at 01:27 PM.
Old 06-18-2008, 03:19 PM
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Whenever I do rear springs I always do shackles, spring pin, ubolts, bushings and shocks all at once. The Downey springs will come with center pins. The reason I replace all that stuff is because then I can just cut all the old bolts shackles etc. instead of dicking with stuck spring bolts etc. At the very least you will want to replace the ubolts and if going with a 2 inch lift spring you will need longer shocks.
Old 06-18-2008, 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Dasuprawolf
So just get new OE ones? or get new longer ones? Wheres a good place to get longer U bolts anyways?
Stock u-bolts should be okay. You shouldn't need longer ones. If you do need longer ones, where you buy the springs from should be able to tell you and sell you them.
Otherwise, you can get the u-bolts from the dealer or any respectable auto-parts store or off-road parts vendor.
Old 06-18-2008, 04:54 PM
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I'm looking at getting the same kit but with the 3 inch lift for my 88 4Runner. Is there anything else that I'll need other than the new springs and I guess new shocks?
Old 06-18-2008, 06:20 PM
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It really looks like I'll need longer U bolts. Im nervous ill go to use stock U bolts and they'll be to short. I know the new springs have an additional leaf. I guess i'd just like to hear from somebody who has the springs now.

Thanks all.
Old 06-18-2008, 07:26 PM
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I bought the Downey 3" lift springs and used the stock U-bolts. I have had the lift for about 1 year and 6 months, no problems yet. I have done some pretty hard wheeling on them too...
Old 06-18-2008, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 881stGenRunner
I bought the Downey 3" lift springs and used the stock U-bolts. I have had the lift for about 1 year and 6 months, no problems yet. I have done some pretty hard wheeling on them too...
Ditto.
Old 06-18-2008, 07:56 PM
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awesome. thats what i needed. TY
Old 06-18-2008, 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by BLKNBLU
Ditto.
Mine have also been fine. You will need to remove the overload leaves from your old spring pack and install them on the Downey springs with the new pins that come with them.

The u bolt length is the same as stock. Downey uses 4 thin leaves as opposed to 3 thicker ones on the stock leaf pack.

Robb

Old 06-19-2008, 09:45 AM
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you guys were very helpful. Thanks again.
Old 06-19-2008, 02:24 PM
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How did you go about lifting the front to correspond with the Downey 3" rear lift?
Old 06-19-2008, 02:33 PM
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I do not recommend the Downey springs. I am going on 2 years with mine in the back of my 4runner and they are sagging alot! I even put on extended shackles to compensate and now they are just about flat. With the shackles there is 5 inches of lift in the back of my 4runner and 1.5 in the front and it still looks lower in the rear!
Old 06-19-2008, 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by mtrdrms
I do not recommend the Downey springs. I am going on 2 years with mine in the back of my 4runner and they are sagging alot! I even put on extended shackles to compensate and now they are just about flat. With the shackles there is 5 inches of lift in the back of my 4runner and 1.5 in the front and it still looks lower in the rear!
The only time I've herd about the downey's sagging is on 4Runners.

Anyone experience sagging on the pickup's?

I ordered my shocks tonight, and all new hardware from the dealer. 120$!!! Just for the hardware, and thats my cost...(employee)

Last edited by Dasuprawolf; 06-19-2008 at 07:30 PM. Reason: I can't spell...
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