Well I haven't had my 85 very long but I'm wanting to lift it a ill bit, only I have an issue. From what I've been seeing to lift it very much I have to move my spring hangers back when I get bigger springs. However the previous owner bobbed the bed and cut the frame right behind the spring hanger.... So I have no frame left behind it to move it back any. So how can I get some more clearance out of it? Shackles? Blocks? I am somewhat of a newb when it comes to suspension modifications so what length shackles would give me how much lift?

 

Bump .... I have found some kits that were front springs and blocks for the back, u can get springs for the back as an addon. Will that be what I would have to get? Think it was l like a 3.5" kit

 

U can use 56" ford springs to lift the rear instead of 63" chevies. They allow u to use the factory rear hanger but u have to move ur front hanger forward approx 11". That's what I used, I'll try to get a pic of mine up so u can see. I can't say for sure how they work cuz I don't have the front done yet but I've heard good things. The reason I went with them is cuz I have to cut my frame off after the hangers so my bumper doesn't stick out past my flatbed.
. It has a lil extra rake in the pic cuz there's 31's on the front and 33's on the back.

 

Here's a link for some info. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...150+spring+faq

 

hey thanks man! Did you use the stock shackles? And i guess I would need new shocks too. Do ya know how much it lifted it?

 

I made new shackles but can't remember exactly what length. 5 1/2" eye to eye I think. I also made spacers for the shackles cuz the ford springs are wider than the factory ones. My best guess is it lifted the truck 3-4" I also flipped the u-bolts while I was at it so that eliminates ur factory lower shock mounts. I made some tabs to mount mine on the axle tube and I'm moving the upper mounts to my crossmember. I'm waiting to get that part figured out til I get the flatbed set on there so I know how it will sit. To mount my front spring hangers I made a bracket that bolts into the old spring hanger and the new spring hanger so all I had to do is put it up to the frame and weld it in. I'll try to get a pic of it this weekend so u see what I'm talking bout. Good luck!

matt

 

Hey man i'm not sure what your location is. but i'm selling my old leaf springs. They are meant for 2-3 inch lift. Only reason i replaced them was because i went 4" anyway both the front and rear leaf springs will work on your truck because there isnt a need to remount shackles or hangers anywhere. these springs work with the stock locations.

Gave the truck a pretty awesome look when i had them on. in case you're interested here is the link to my Yotatech Ad.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f189...runner-269317/

but to answer your question Yes you can get more lift with blocks and longer shackles. But with blocks you're also running the chances of your E-brake line being too short like mine was when i added leafs to my current rear leaf pack. Longer shackles also work.

 

stay away from blocks they cause axle wrap it gets even worse when you gear it unless you build a trac bar

 

Well 85sr5excab...the more i read about the ford springs and chevys for that matter its starting to sound a little to involved for me. I would be up for tackling it if i had a welder that was worth a damn. But i dont and dont think i could do it...Redeth005 i would love to have those, i cant really afford it right now tho. Where did you buy them from? Whats your absolute bottom dollar on them, and your right they made your 4runner look sick, but im located in West Jefferson NC....shipping would be quite a bit

 

I just lowered the price about 2 weeks ago. But that's as low as I'm going. I think $200 is more then a fair price considering brand new springs will run you anywhere from 1100-1350. Not really in a hurry to sell them either. My brother has been looking for an 85 4Runner so I have been holding them for him. But he has been lagging it with buying/finding one so if somebody buys them then oh well for him.

Btw they are Rancho and Rough County springs. I bought them off the same guy who I bought my Solid front axle from. And they originally came off an 85pickup.

 

well if i had the money right now id for sure take em off your hands. This is just a kit i found, not saying im gona buy this one or anything but with a kit like this would i have to move my hangers? Also if i got some longer shackles and blocks, and built some trac bars then i would be ok?

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...FRCe4Aod_BwAhw

 

this one has me interested if i had the money

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=2510

 

When I had my 85 I honestly found an old rancho 4" that had settled to about 3 1/2 inches. The guy was going bigger. I had ridden in his truck and was fairly smooth if I can say that with an 85. I bought new mounting hardware and swapped his lift to my truck couldn't have been happier. Wheeled well enough even though I know it was because of the gears and locker, but it flexed ok. Just a thought you don't Always have to buy new. Might help you save a buck and put it towards gears and lockers.

 

^^ Well that's what my springs are supposed to be. 4" lift. But since they've been used they are more like 3" now. That's why im just saying/selling them as a 2-3" lift since theyce settled already

 

Yea that's perfect in my opinion for an effective budget lift once you break the 3" mark anyways you have to start wording about other stuff driveshafts angles and length and such. When I get my next 85 I will probably buy a used rancho lift and wheel the hell out of it and put the saved money towards lockers gears and tires.

 

I think red has a smoking deal on those springs. If I were in the market for a lift I would be checking into shipping for sure. Then all u would need is a set of shocks and it would be game over.

matt

 

Yea I'd love to buy them off him I just don't have the extra cash right now thanks for the comments guys

 

what spring hangers do you guys use for the ford spring swap, just a Toyota one from marlin or Trail-Gear or something different?? I getting ready to do it but I want to make sure I get everything together first


any help would be great