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Zuk Mod Question on '92 2WD Pickup;Only have U-Bolts on Top of Springs
Hi all,
1992 Toyota BASE Pickup, 2WD, regular cab, short box
I have searched and researched, on this site and on Google, and I DEFINITELY want to do a ZUK Mod for my saggy rear end, because I'm going to be doing some towing soon, but I have a question I can't seem to get answered. My shocks were changed like 8 years ago, and the leaf springs are almost totally flat. In most of the ZUK Mod thread/videos/pictures, there is the metal U-shaped thing on the underside of the bed (which I have), but I HAVE NOTHING TO MOUNT THE SPRING ONTO IN THE BOTTOM...all I have is a U-Bolt that is attached to the rear axle; there is NO STOP or anything over the u-Bolts, and therefore, nothing to mount the bottom of the spring onto.
I know the links of the guy on EBay who sells the springs, but HOW DO I MOUNT the EBay springs to the leaf-spring pack? ALSO, it's just a 2WD daily driver, so I'm NOT looking for a ton of lift, but I'd like to get the bed close to where it was when it was stock, but a little lift is OK. I have a toolbox that is in the bed, and at least 125 pounds of tools in there ride with me 24/7. What springs would you recommend for just a stock look?
So, Question 1: How do I mount the bottom of the New EBay spring to my axle/spring set? (I assume I'll be reversing the U-Bolt, but then what do I need as a base for the springs?)
Question 2: Which SPECIFIC spring length. inner-diameter, and tension rating (100, 125, etc.) should I get for this modification? I don't mind spending $80-$90 on the new springs (they seem to be going for @ $40 + shipping), but I just want to make sure I get the right ones.
THANKS IN ADVANCE for any help, and ZUK...thanks for this ingenious mod that's saved a TON of people from having to spend $400+ on new leaf springs!
Im looking into fixing my sagging 2wd as well. This sounds like a perfect alternative to new leafs but i dont think it'll work. Went out and took a picture of my axle and there definitely isnt an axle bump stop, just a frame one. 2wds are spring under axle and 4wds are spring over axle. To bad
Thanks, Sploogle, for posting that picture; it saved me crawling under my 2WD this morning. Your picture also illustrates, like in my vehicle, that there is NOT a ton of space even before the addition of an axle stop, so the lift might be WAY too high in the rear, unless we cut one 12 or 14 inch spring in half, perhaps, and use 6-7 inches on both sides.
I can't believe there isn't a solution for us, but I suppose air-adjustable shocks will be my next addition before I tow a U-Haul trailer next month.
Nice find, LeftCoast. That is Too much lift as shown in the link. Can't use the the coils above the axle....excessive lift..
But I could see how to make the coils work without affecting the rubber mount....or axle. The space between the rubber and axle is too close so why not do what some of the add-a-leafs do and offset it to the backside.
A u-shaped type of mount for the frame. And a similar u-mount for the leafpack.There must be 8 or 9 inches of space there. Too bad I'm here and you're there.
I recommend the shorter 12 inch with 125 pound/inch rating. No coil compressors needed the way I see it.
Thats a cool idea zuk. You could even double down and put a spring on both sides of the axle for twice as stiff a ride.
That's true, the price is about the same, but the air bags, in my opinion are easier to install and are adjustable. Very little air gets you the ride height and ride quality you want and you can air them up for towing.
Nice find, LeftCoast. That is Too much lift as shown in the link. Can't use the the coils above the axle....excessive lift..
But I could see how to make the coils work without affecting the rubber mount....or axle. The space between the rubber and axle is too close so why not do what some of the add-a-leafs do and offset it to the backside.
A u-shaped type of mount for the frame. And a similar u-mount for the leafpack.There must be 8 or 9 inches of space there. Too bad I'm here and you're there.
I recommend the shorter 12 inch with 125 pound/inch rating. No coil compressors needed the way I see it.
ZUK
ZUK, thanks so much for the response. I know what you mean about offsetting it a bit to the rear, so this method would use NONE of the mounts people usually use in your modification.
Could you PLEASE be more specific, as to the hardware I would need to purchase (I've NEVER done a lift or and leaf spring install), and links would be an immense help. I just need to know the two u-bolt mounts for both the frame and the leaf pack, and we're talking two 12-inch/125 pound springs (of course), but how, exactly would I mount the springs into the two u-bolt mounts you're suggesting? And what Inner-diameter spring would you suggest for the springs, as I see that come in both 3 inch and 5 inch inner diameter? And again, please help me to visualize how these springs would mount to the U-mounts you mentioned in your post.
As I said, I'm more a Sunday-type mechanic, and not into all the things your guys are adept at doing on the trails; the closest thing to trails I'll ever come to are just driving a gravel/dirt road, or on level grass!
Again, thanks for the response, ZUK (and everyone in the thread), and if you have the time to look-up some links, and explain how I would mount the springs (and the correct diameter springs), I would be forever grateful, as would Sploogle, I'm sure.
Thanks again, in advance. You have gotta love Yotatech...it's a very friendly, and helpful place!
From what I've read, that's only a temporary fix, as best, and your truck is down all the time the springs are away.
I have never heard of any used springs being re-heat treated. Just about any ordinary application of heat makes the steel soft, and they're not springs any more.
Used springs are re-arched by bending them cold. I have re-arched more than a few springs, and made up new spring packs at home.
It can be scary dangerous work. You gotta watch out for your teeth, among other things. Stuff can really go flyin if you don't pay attention to what is really going on.
Beats paying hundreds of dollars to a shop though. If properly done, they will last as long as a new spring.
ZUK, thanks so much for the response. I know what you mean about offsetting it a bit to the rear, so this method would use NONE of the mounts people usually use in your modification.
Could you PLEASE be more specific, as to the hardware I would need to purchase (I've NEVER done a lift or and leaf spring install), and links would be an immense help. I just need to know the two u-bolt mounts for both the frame and the leaf pack, and we're talking two 12-inch/125 pound springs (of course), but how, exactly would I mount the springs into the two u-bolt mounts you're suggesting? And what Inner-diameter spring would you suggest for the springs, as I see that come in both 3 inch and 5 inch inner diameter? And again, please help me to visualize how these springs would mount to the U-mounts you mentioned in your post.
As I said, I'm more a Sunday-type mechanic, and not into all the things your guys are adept at doing on the trails; the closest thing to trails I'll ever come to are just driving a gravel/dirt road, or on level grass!
Again, thanks for the response, ZUK (and everyone in the thread), and if you have the time to look-up some links, and explain how I would mount the springs (and the correct diameter springs), I would be forever grateful, as would Sploogle, I'm sure.
Thanks again, in advance. You have gotta love Yotatech...it's a very friendly, and helpful place!
Some fabrication may be required.....But you might be able to talk me into making 4 mounts. Bottom mounts can "float" and be u-shaped.......top can be bolted with 2 small 1/4" bolts I figure so you may have to use a 1/4" drill bit on the side of the frame.I need to know the width of the leafpacks.
It's not so much the fancy exotic metals that I won't be using...it's the measuring,cutting, and MIG welding that takes some time.
What is the distance available between leafpack and frame?
This all seems overly complicated. It is leaf under axle. Why not simply add an extra leaf to the pack. I mean a long quality leaf - not a thick short bar from a cheap add-a-leaf kit. You will get a few inches of lift and the ride won't suffer. Why add a coil spring when you can strengthen the existing leaf pack?
05-20-2017, 07:30 PM
Bottom mounts can "float" and be u-shaped.......top can be bolted with 2 small 1/4" bolts I figure so you may have to use a 1/4" drill bit on the side of the frame.I need to know the width of the leafpacks.
