Well, I am going to do something about it, finally. Ordered JC Whitney replacement leafs for the back and some nitro 9000 shocks. Also considering the add-a-leaf with longer shackles. This should net me a couples inches of lift in the back to help with hauling of the gear; tools, jacks, coolers, tent, etc...
I know new u-bolts are needed. Any tips on swapping leafs for a first timer besides lots of PB Blaster?
Any experiences with these springs and shocks? Ride quality, ease of install on 1st Gen 4 Runner?

 

work on flat ground if possible.
block and chock the front wheels regardless of slope.
have a small bottle jack available.
do one side at a time if you are working alone
jack the entire rear end up if you can.
spray penetrating lube on every fastener and let set at least 12 hours.

I can't say with certainty anything about your springs, but I installed a pair of 4" lift procomp springs on my 88 in about 5 hours by myself, working on a sloped driveway.

 

Thanks. All good tips. Will do them all.

Got bottle jack and floor jack with 2 stands. And a new can of PB Blaster.

Any others????

 

Have a nice long breaker bar on hand...

 

Thanks Jay, I got a 3 footer. How about the heat wrench? I got a little burner torch that goes on a 16 0z. bottle of propane.

 

Other saggy Runner guys have went this route......

http://gearinstalls.com/russell.htm

http://gearinstalls.com/stephen.htm

http://gearinstalls.com/miked.htm

http://gearinstalls.com/saggyrear.htm


Here's the link to get a super deal on 2.5" X 12" coils....your choice of 150 or 125 pounds per inch.....29.99 each plus shipping. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-R...mZ290014123883


Make up an upper mount and you're all set. 2.5" of lift....better ride......more payload ability. And it will likely never sag again....in your Runners life.

ZUK

 

Well, if you need to heat anything up, chances are you are going to have tor eplace all the bushings. Are you getting new bushings with the leaf springs? How about the bushings inside the frame/shackle mount?

I would keep hitting these bolts 2x a day with pb blaster for a few days. Its easy and will help you out once the time comes to get down to it.

Do you have a grinder on hand? I had to cut off my old u-bolts when I put my aal in, they were seized in place.

also, once your done, if the suspension is higher then stock (more then an inch) take the time and make a LSPV lift bracket.

 

JC whitney are good springs?

 

Thanks to all, zuk, dirtoyboy and jay. I never thought about the load sensing proportioning valve (LSPV). I will keeo it in mind.

zuk, very inventive idea with those coils. Does it effect off-roading at all?

Does adding an AAL require anything special, like different, longer pins for the leafs?

 

Yes, you will need longer pins for the leaf packs. Any local auto parts store should have them. Trim to length

 

I was thinking the same thing. I would have went with OME. OME are quality springs that won't sag. At least mine didn't.

 

I thought of OME, but decided to go with JCWhitney, possible addition of AAL's and new shocks, their nitro 9000's. I am hoping Rancho makes them shocks.

 

You're welcome.....the coils work nicely with the saggy factory packs....they will never fall out due to the limited articulation of the packs and they enhance the payload for carrying camping gear. Even though the overall spring rate goes up, the Runner's ride is actually softer due to the leafs being off the overload which used to give a hard buckboard ride. Articulation does not seem to be limited when used with the factory leafs.... So they actually enhance the overall onroad and offroad experience.
Just read the customer feedback comments...it says it all.

Don't forget to read this long long threads also....
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showfl...5&o=31&fpart=1

There's no reason for me to supply kits anymore....anybody can order up the coils themselves and fab a simple upper and the somewhat optional lower mount. If someone can't fab them then I might be able to fix them up with that part.

Things may vary slightly from Runner to Runner but here's some lift info...
The 2.5" X 12" 125 pounds/inch rated coil gives 2.3" lift
The 2.5" X 12" 150 pounds/inch rated coil gives 2.5" lift
The 2.5" X 14" 100 pounds/inch rated coil gives 3.0" lift
The 2.5" X 14" 150 pounds/inch rated coil gives 3.5" lift

Later ZUK

 

zuk, yes that was an incredibly loooooooooooooooong thread. It is an entirely do-able idea. I am going to put my new springs in anyway to get experience doing it and will put some coils in for lift & to prevent future sag. Do you still make and sell brackets for these? I would be interested in buying some if you do. That way, as said in the thread, I can source my own coils.

I would try to make the brackets myself, but I do not weld yet and do not have room (apartment living). you can PM me or e mail me;
vambo213@yahoo.com

Great thread, thanks.
My next project to save for is going to be gears - 5.29's and a V6 locker.

Phil

 

Thanks alot to all who answered and offered advice.

Thanks also to ZUK... Great resource for info and helpful in many ways. I will be installing Zuk's coil spring mod as well.

Waiting for leafs to arrive with shocks.
Waiting for Zuk's brackets to arrive.
Ordered a u-bolt flip kit from WabFab.


Phil

 

Here I go, tearing apart the 21 yr. old rear suspension. I have a flip kit from WabFab but didn't use it, just re-installed the old plates because I have no new shock mounts yet. I bought the leaf springs from JC Whitney and got the nitro 9000 shocks also. Shackles are from Kragen. Bought bushings from Summit Racing.
Zuk's brackets came today while I was tearing everything apart. I will install his brackets when I do the flip kit and get the new shocks mounts put on.

Here is the old suspension, 2 3/8 inches between the top of tire and bottom of wheel well.

Had to remove the spare first.

Only have this for factory tool kit.

Jacked it up.

Removed shocks.

Removing shackles and bolts.

Tension on the leafs boogered these.

Out with the old.

OOps!!!! Manipulating the leafs around the brackets and e brake cable, I caught it and the axle fell off the jack.

Finished it. Working by myself, this was an all day job.


Incredible !!!! I gained a little over 3.5 inches above the tire.



I will deal with the D Shaft tomorrow. Then I will test drive it and re-torque everything again. Incredible results.
JC Whitney Leaf Springs $125.00 each + shipping
Shocks $36.00 each, shipped with leaf springs
Summit Bushings $36.00 w/ extra grease
Kragen Shackles $21.00 w/ tax

 

I will let you know after I try it out on-road and off.

 

Anybody ever swap leaf springs and shocks and not lift their vehicle, trying to get a better ride with closer to stock height? After I put the 1.25 inch B.L. on and the 33 inch tires, I just don't know if I want to go any higher.

Although this is not done, I have Zuk coil spring cups, a flip kit and new shock mounts to install.
At least I can drive it again.

 

interesting shackles...I think i probably would have made my own over those

 

Looks like you have all the lift you're gonna need with those new packs and the long shackles. Did you order 12 inch or light duty 14inch coils?