vmax84

for their 1st generation 1989 4runner? I'm thinking about doing this instead of just adding a leaf. If I add a leaf, it doesn't give me anymore suspension. With a new set of leafs, I will have gotten rid of the droopy butt look and added suspension. Your thoughts on this? Thanks.

vmax84

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...8+1988/c-10101

Also, their catalog does not include the 1989 year for this application.....are the 1988 and 1989 rear leaf springs the same? Thanks again.

kyle_22r

either way you need to make up that spring rate that you've lost, so it's going to be a wash. new leaves will just sag over time as well.

vmax84

I am looking to raise the droopy butt on the truck, as well as gain back the suspension that was lost with the droopy butt. Just by adding a leaf, I don't think, will give me the suspension back, just raise the butt of the truck. New leafs will raise the butt of the truck and add another inch or so of suspension.......am I right on this? Thanks.

vmax84

mike_d

right now your springs feel like crap because the leafs have sagged and all the weight of your truck is resting on the overload spring. (this is how it was in my '89).

what you're supposed to have is a set of leafs that have a low spring rate. that is, they deform easily when weight is added. but since trucks need to haul lots of weight sometimes, the 4runners had an overload spring (the thick short one at the bottom of the spring pack) that has a very high spring rate. that is, it doesn't deform easily with weight. but that doesn't matter because it shouldn't come into play unless you have a heavy load. trouble is, the springs sag over time, so the overload spring comes into play even with just the weight of the truck. so now, you have a very high spring rate for normal use, and your ride sucks.

so if you put an aal in, it will push the springs up and they won't be resting on the overload spring anymore. everything will feel better and you'll probably be back up to stock height. if you get new springs, they will also not be on the overload spring and you'll be back up to stock height. they'll probably both feel the same because the worn out springs plus aal will have about the same spring rate as new springs. both options should bring you back to close to stock.

vmax84

Holy cow, thanks for the response!! If I do decide to go with the cheaper route (add a leaf), where does that leaf go? At the bottom of the pile of leafs, in the middle???? Where? I think JCWhitney has a pair of leafs for around 37 bucks. Pretty cheap. And the leaf (the brand new set) are about 142 each. But I think they are advertising free shipping right now.

Hmmmmm........

vmax84

But thanks for the good help.

vmax84

Here's another thread which I guess I should of just added to. Same problem, just had a different question. If the link works, the pic does show the sag in the leaf springs. It just doesn't look like much suspension, looking at the rubber rebound thing and the frame.

vmax84

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=vmax84

AVTECH

HERES A LINK TO A POST ON 4X4WIRE ABOUT THE DROOPY BUT SYNDROME. I AM INSTALLING THE TJ COILS ON MY 87 4X4 PU. I WILL HOPEFULLY GET TO IT THIS WEEKEND. ILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS OUT.
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showfl...4&fpart=1&vc=1

vmax84

Thanks for the link, but that coil stuff is just too crazy for an old guy like me!!! Just gonna try and get a leaf repair going.

vmax84

vmax84

This is not how I want my 4runner to look:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=663

YotaJunky

Same here. I'll be doing the TJ coil mod in my 88 pickup. Just picked up a couple of rear ones for only $10. But when I looked under the truck, my lower bump stops were gone! I'll have to fab a lower capture bracket for the coils or find some old bump stops.

Troy

vmax84

Anybody have any good luck with Summit Racing on this topic? Thanks.

vmax84

jasonG

I just bought some OME springs from 4wheelparts for $337 springs and bushings to my door. Probably a better spring than jcwhitney...The bushings were on backorder and should get them any day now.
hope that helped
JG

Flamedx4

It should also be pointed out (just in case) that all AddaLeafs are not the same - some are designed to provide stiffer rate but no lift at all, and some are designed to give as much as 4" of lift. Be sure if you buy AALs that you get the ones you need for what you want to do.

vmax84

Great advice !!!!! Thanks.

vmax84

89red4x4yota

hey i bought the leaf packs from jcwhitney about a year ago, i have a 1989 pickup 4x4, no sagging yet, and no signs of it either, i do tow with them and their great. the only thing i would recomend would be to do poly bushings cause jcw only gives you rubber ones. i am looking into AAL only to get a little more ground clearance from stock

vmax84

Thanks for your feedback!!

vmax84

Asha'man

Looks like the JCWhitney link shows $132 per side. I called Downey a week or so ago because they don't have any prices on their website right now, and a pair of new springs, I think the 2" ones, were like $180. Seems like a better deal than $260 for two.

Brian