ok - finally got around to installing my Downey Leaf springs this weekend. Got the Shackles in the rear hooked up and the front done, now when I raise the axle to meet the spring I'm about 1½" off with the center pin. There's no way the axle moved that far back during installation.

Soooo - What the hell do I do now? Do I move the axle 1½" forward so the center pin aligns correctly? Then won't I have drive shaft issues? I'm confused!

 

It would be easy for the stuff to be off that much.

Mine was off by quite a bit.

My advice is, line it up, tighten the bolts, but not to torque, and put the truck down on its wheels. See if it's still messed up. It's possible you got a weird spring, but not probable. If its no good, which i doubt, then you can pull it back off, and see. Call downey in the morning if it still looks bad.

 

Here's a pic

 

Grab a tape measure and measure the front half length of the old and new springs, center of front hanger bolt hole to center of center pin, both along the arc of the spring and a straight line between the two points. If that length is different, then that would account for the difference. Could simply be due to the higher arch of the new springs causing the difference in length. Or you may have installed the springs backwards, or Downey may have sent you springs for a different year vehicle. The '89 and later pickups have springs with about an inch longer on the front half than the '88/9 or older pickups/4Runner:
- http://4x4spot.com/misc__spring_information.htm

 

I just finished installing the same springs as you have (about 20 minutes ago). mine were out about 3/4 of an inch on both sides. I think its just due to the arch of the new springs versus the old sagged ones once you have all the weight off them. I would think that if both sides are the same it shouldnt cause any problems.