Pros and Cons new springs or aals
10-12-2009, 01:38 PM
#1
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Pros and Cons new springs or aals
What would be the differece between an Add a leaf or an complete spring set up like Downey. With the exception of the price. Will the Add a leaf give me what I need. Saggy rear on 88 4runner...Anyone installed the add a leaf. Let me know you resuls plez....
10-12-2009, 02:32 PM
#2
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Don't count out the 63" chevies or the zuk mod. I did the zuk mod, gave me a little rake, so I got some BJ spacers and it looks good, rides even better, and only costs about $200 bucks total. Now I have a couple buddies that are going to do the same after riding in my 4Runner and realizing its way smoother then theirs.
BTW. Sweet color on your rig. Thats one clean runner!!
BTW. Sweet color on your rig. Thats one clean runner!!
10-12-2009, 10:01 PM
#4
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Shawn, our tires are about the same size, mine are actually a half inch shorter then yours. I bought the 14 inch, 125 lb rate springs and now my rear fender is 36 inches off the ground. The front, with the BJ spacers in there, measures 36.5 inches from ground to fender. And it rides 10x better then when I bought it. 
Hope that helps....
Also, if you don't have a welder, I used a 1.5" body lift puck as the upper mount for the spring.
BTW, the pic I have there is pre zuk mod, pre BJ Spacer. I have been lazy and haven't updated it yet.
Hope that helps....Also, if you don't have a welder, I used a 1.5" body lift puck as the upper mount for the spring.
BTW, the pic I have there is pre zuk mod, pre BJ Spacer. I have been lazy and haven't updated it yet.
Last edited by kiyobrown; 10-12-2009 at 10:03 PM.
10-13-2009, 09:08 AM
#7
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The OME rear springs, 2" lift over stock, are only $100 each, with $20 more for the bushings. They ride very nice, way better than stock, sagged, on the bump stops, and bolt right in to the factory location.
Another option.
Another option.
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10-13-2009, 09:42 AM
#8
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i just bought the OMEs and plan to install soon as i have time. but i did it cuz i need to replace all bushings and shackles anyway. but if you just have sag, i'd recommend the Zuk mod too. there are a bunch of threads on here showing installs, and his gear site has pics too. very good idea, and you can do it locally if you wish after purchasing springs on fleabay. i expect to do it should these OMEs wear out, because by then i'll have something worth supplementing, rather than a band aid over a bullet wound.
10-13-2009, 10:02 AM
#9
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Do not install short style AAL's They will eventually bend the leaf pack and provide one hell of a rough ride.. I put short style aal's in my rig a couple years ago, the leaf packs are now pretty much junk...
63" chevies all the way!
63" chevies all the way!
10-13-2009, 12:30 PM
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Thanks to all. I was thinking about the aal but something was telling me it was not a good idea. Thinking seriously about the zuk, but do I still need to replace the springs? Haven't had time to check out zuks site.
10-13-2009, 02:30 PM
#14
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Link for you, this thread is also on Zuks site but I had to update the pictures.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ks-zuk-157035/
God I love seeing my rigs on the net.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ks-zuk-157035/
God I love seeing my rigs on the net.
10-14-2009, 08:47 AM
#15
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zuk's coil mod is a well supported trick here. dozen reports of happy drivers after doing it, and it's a pretty simple fix. i'm not doing it now cuz i need new shackles and bushings too, not just springs. my shackles are cheap hotrod style, 9" long.
but if you're all good with original parts now, the coils will just pick up a big part of the load, and give the leafs some relief, so you'll be back to the right lift height. it's definitely worth doing.
but if you're all good with original parts now, the coils will just pick up a big part of the load, and give the leafs some relief, so you'll be back to the right lift height. it's definitely worth doing.
11-04-2009, 08:04 AM
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From what I've read, the people that have done this ZUK mod is because the rear leaf springs are basicaly flat now and are pretty much laying flat on the overload (thus saggy rear 4Runner).
Doesn't this mean that the springs have lost their arch and thus need to be replaced?
Or
Is it basically...if the springs are not cracked/broken, no need to replace (even though the arch is gone). The ZUK mod will just give it new life?
If I replaced the leafs with either 63inch Chevy or with stock replacement, would there still be a benefit by still doing the ZUK mod (ie longer leaf spring life, softer ride, etc...)?
Doesn't this mean that the springs have lost their arch and thus need to be replaced?
Or
Is it basically...if the springs are not cracked/broken, no need to replace (even though the arch is gone). The ZUK mod will just give it new life?
If I replaced the leafs with either 63inch Chevy or with stock replacement, would there still be a benefit by still doing the ZUK mod (ie longer leaf spring life, softer ride, etc...)?
12-03-2009, 05:30 AM
#17
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I added Pro-Comps AAL's and couldn't be happier. Only 30 bucks and a couple hours work. I am very limited in tools and skills and these were easy. got about 1.5" and a much smoother ride. I am not a rock climber though. No rocks around here.
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