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New leaf springs or Zuk lift 1989 4runner

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Old 02-10-2011, 08:32 AM
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New leaf springs or Zuk lift 1989 4runner

I am looking at fixing the ride on my 4runner. The rear springs are perfectly flat while sitting without a load. I kinda like the idea of going cheap and doing a ZUK coil spring addition. Though I was also looking at buying new springs. My 1989 seems to have different springs then the 1986-1988 I think. So I raised the truck up till the wheels were off the ground and measured the distance between the center of the leaf spring. The shackle was straight up and down and the distance was 45 inches. Except while checking out the details on new spring it seems the ones that do list dimensions state the spring are 43 between centers. I think that would leave my shackles inverted if I used them. Does this sound right or do I need to find some with 45 inch centers? TIA Matt
Old 02-10-2011, 09:12 AM
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your right the 89 springs are different then the 84-88 springs.
Old 02-10-2011, 09:54 PM
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And it also appears the 1990 springs are different then the 1989 springs. The few sites that actual list any dimensions, list the 1984-88 springs at 43 inches. And the 1990 springs at 47.5 inches. And I think the ones I need for my 89 are 45 inches. I am just not in the mood to pay shipping twice.
Old 02-10-2011, 10:38 PM
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The best way to fix the problem is to replace the springs. The Zuk mod is only a band aid fix for the real problem.

Last edited by myyota; 02-10-2011 at 11:01 PM.
Old 02-10-2011, 10:52 PM
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x2 on new springs...
Old 02-11-2011, 12:17 PM
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New springs. Youll be glad in the long run.
Old 02-14-2011, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by RE-RE
New springs. Youll be glad in the long run.
Yes I am sure I would be. Just having been unemployed for quite some time now, the little misses does not even want me to spend money on new shocks much less another $350 for new springs vs $75 for the coil springs.
Old 02-14-2011, 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Dauntless1971
And it also appears the 1990 springs are different then the 1989 springs. The few sites that actual list any dimensions, list the 1984-88 springs at 43 inches. And the 1990 springs at 47.5 inches. And I think the ones I need for my 89 are 45 inches. I am just not in the mood to pay shipping twice.
Got to pay attention to what vehicle and what year. '89 4Runner will be the same as '84-'88 rear springs. But on pickup, '84-'88 is the same but the '89 pickup is different (and same as the '90-'95 pickups. So sometimes the charts get a little confusing:
- http://4x4spot.com/misc__spring_information.htm

The 1st gen 4Runner rears will be ~48" long, center to center measured along the arc of the spring.
Old 02-14-2011, 02:30 PM
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hahah 4crawler that the second time that link was posted today. I posted in that rear frame section swap earlier today.
Old 02-14-2011, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by myyota
The best way to fix the problem is to replace the springs. The Zuk mod is only a band aid fix for the real problem.
My thoughts exactly.

:wabbit2:
Old 02-14-2011, 06:34 PM
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AAL or new springs..
AAL is also a bandaid fix, but you won't have a coil popping out any time.
Old 02-19-2011, 09:41 PM
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So I have found some Pro Comp
Part No. 33311 and they appear to come with bushings and free shipping. Just about $200 total. This seems to be worth the 120 dollars more then adding the coil springs. Though I have not heard much about anyone using Pro Comp leafs.
Old 02-24-2011, 06:30 AM
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Hey, Dauntless, where did you find that deal? I haven't heard anything about the Pro Comp Leafs, either, but would like to look into them.
Old 02-24-2011, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by peow130
AAL or new springs..
AAL is also a bandaid fix, but you won't have a coil popping out any time.
The coils don't pop out........
Old 03-01-2011, 11:58 AM
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I actually purchaced aal's...but am now leaning towards the zuk mod using the jeep coils.my 89 runner has sagass syndrome but is used moslty for logging trails,no real deep mudding or rock crawling.as far as the springs popping out...havent read that yet,anywhere.any input on the jeep coil mod ??????
Old 03-01-2011, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by cman1
I actually purchaced aal's...but am now leaning towards the zuk mod using the jeep coils.my 89 runner has sagass syndrome but is used moslty for logging trails,no real deep mudding or rock crawling.as far as the springs popping out...havent read that yet,anywhere.any input on the jeep coil mod ??????
There are a couple of folks here that have added Jeep coils to the rear of their Yota's and they seem to have good results. I think the Jeep coils fit over the upper bump stop but can't be sure since I've never done it. I went with the 14" 125lb coils from Black Magic (on Zuk's site) for my 89 4runner and have no complaints. The coils lifted my rig up almost 2" over stock so that worked well with my 1.5" BJ spacers up front. I haul a lot of weight when I go camping and the coils work very well. They will NOT pop out. I flexed mine with a fork lift right after the install to see if they would fall out or pop out or fly out and they don't.




We even left the shocks unattached to see if the coils would cause problems.
Old 03-01-2011, 12:49 PM
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ZUK mod is pretty easy and cheap. I eventually want to do the 63" chevy swap, but until then, these $70 springs are doing great.
Old 03-01-2011, 01:16 PM
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just went out to take a look at my bump stops...theyre both MIA! anybody got a set they dont need,let me know....thanx.
Old 07-10-2013, 10:43 AM
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does anyone know what truck from a junkyard would have leaf springs that would fit on my 89 4runner. My truck has the zuk mod, but it has a stiffy ride.
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